Graphic Design is a generic term given to visual communication in the public domain. Based originally in print media, the practice has moved from being paper and book publication orientated to new digital media platforms. Graphic Design is associated with most aspects of information design and advertising. During the 20th century, the term 'Graphic Designer', has been applied to mean a creative professional who is responsible for producing visual material seen in the public domain. The ability to work, with other designers, creatively and flexibly, across a number of media is increasingly apparent and in demand, by employers, and by those who wish to establish freelance practice.

The programme is 'Discourse and Practice' based. It delivers teaching of skills as integrated with theory, seminars and visual assignments that have written reports and presentations, included within the studio environment. Students choose to develop their skills during level one of the programme, towards the 'classic' skills of typography and design publication. Protocols and spatial considerations of web-site work and interactive graphic design are developed at level 2. In level 3, the final year, the student identifies and proposes a body of visual independent work, with the support of their programme tutors. This programme actively taps into its London location and the new designers working here and opportunities for 'live' research offered by the capital.

The programme can be studied full-time for 3 years or in a part-time mode. It has a modular structure that enables students to study it as a Single, Major, Joint or Minor honours programme. This allows combinations to be built with its sister programmes in Digital Arts and Visual Communication and also other programmes in the School of Architecture and The Visual Arts and also the University as part of our Combined Honours menu.

The learning environment is centred on the individual, with Learning outcomes directly aligned with the assessment criteria, and following headings outline the components within the teaching and learning strategy.

Group Projects

Programme work where you work as part of a team with a group of your peers

Studio Project work

Studio based work undertaken by an individual or group of students in collaboration with project tutors. It includes an intro briefing, discussion on progress and development of ideas

Professional Practice

Students are encouraged to develop a strong ethos and understanding of professional practice; this can take the form of work placements, study visits, exhibitions, international exchanges, visiting professionals talks, etc.

Self-Initiated work

These are structured projects based on your own written proposal, agreed and discussed with your programme or module tutor with agreed aims and outcomes.

Seminars

These are small mixed sessions (from one or more area, or year group), discussing a project or contextual issue and sharing views and experiences.

Lectures

Group teaching of your year or with other year groups at the same time, usually around a particular topic delivered by one or more tutors

Workshops

Practical demonstrations and hands on learning takes place, as well as facilitation of your own self-initiated projects. Introductory workshops are normally undertaken in relation to project work as part of the module. Later in the programme, project proposal forms identify your needs and these are agreed with your pathway staff and the technical demonstrators. These are available in keeping with access and entitlement as well as satisfying Health and Safety requirements.

Study visits

These are trips to external venues such as museums or relevant places often as part of a module or project but can be whole year groups with tutors identified as responsible for the visit.

The programme has a mixed menu of 20 and 40 credit modules which vary in their assessment. Students will be required to present work for assessment in the form of exhibition, portfolio presentation, oral presentation or in the form of an evaluative learning journal, report or essay.

20 credit modules are assessed at the end of each semester and 40 credit modules are assessed at the end of each year, with the marks from year 2 and 3 used to formulate the final degree award.

The programme contains a professional practice module, which enables students a variety of opportunities to undertake or engage in aspects of the professional arena. This includes visits from renowned professionals and can include any work placements, international exchanges or exhibition opportunities, study trips. These are monitored through a self evaluation/ learning journal of the experience.

Project work, both individual and as part of a group forms a major aspect of the programme. Project led modules cover topics including designing typefaces, documenting and preparing presentations based upon photography and typography, designing websites, layouts and presentations for magazine, editorial and 'fanzine' projects and group presentations based upon a series of linked lectures and evaluation

The programme is sited in a purpose built, new Architecture and Visual Arts building on our landmark Docklands Campus. This is in turn situated in the creative heartland of London, an area of exciting new media activity and also and area about to undergo dynamic regeneration and change as preparation for the 2012 Olympics. The campus is adjacent to Excel, Canary Wharf, Docklands airport and the new international rail terminus for Europe at Stratford. East London also represents the quintessential multicultural environment on the doorstep of 2000 years of cultural history.

• Typography
• Photography
• Video Film/DVD practice, scripting and directing
• Web Design
• Interactive Design
• Design, Cultural and Critical Theory
• Corporate identification and brand identity
• Art Editorial Design, Design Publishing Page Layout and Computer-editing
• Advertising and Campaign strategies
• Information Design

• Speculation
• Working with a particular visual media
• Recognising and following advertising and media
• Having an awareness of brand identities
• Creatively exploring a visual media
• Working individually, but also to be able to work in teams
• Contributing to challenges of communication in the public domain
• Having an interest in applying skills in media practice to 'real' outcomes
• Words, Language and word/image relationships
• Copywriting and developing a creative copy interest
• Moving and sequential image and film
• Paper and the printed page
• Letterforms
• Typeface Designing
• 'Cover Art' and graphics applied to music, posters and flyers
• Digital editing and composition

• To develop and apply visual skills within a range of graphic media;
• to be equipped to join other creative practitioners in stimulating future employment within the Design profession;
• to participate actively in group working, at University and in practice;
• to be able to, potentially, contribute to the growing visual culture, based in London;
• to be prepared to meet the practical and intellectual challenges of future demanding design assignments or project assignments;
• to work in an area that contributes to establishing the nature of future visual practice, in communication, and in relation to culture, attitudes and fashion;
• to enjoy, and be rewarded for, working in a media or skill in which you excel;
• to broaden and add to the existing body of knowledge of visual and graphic communication.

Graduates can gain student membership of the Chartered Society of Designers, participation in D & AD competitions and workshops, a placement and/or exchange and 'live' projects and working with professional designers, provides a breadth of experience. This is likely to give entry to a graphics career as an assistant or freelance designer, as an editor in a 'facilities house' or production company, an art editor or magazine designer, a corporate designer, art director, or advertising creative.

UEL provides a comprehensive range of support services for students which includes: residential/student finance advice/careers advice/study skills development/IT/learning resources. The programme provides strong personal tutor guidance and professional advice related to the practice. Visiting artists, designers and other professional practitioners regularly visit the programme and study trips to working environments are an important component.

East London environment offering unrivalled access to the most important creative resources, as well as good transport links and cheapest accommodation in London. There are regular visits from important professionals who live and work locally.