Art and Design
BA (Hons) Graphic Design (Illustration)
Overview
This Graphic Design (Illustration) course aims to develop your image-making, illustration and graphic design skills, allowing you to find and refine your own visual voice. You will work on a diverse range of projects across digital, motion, and print platforms, encouraging your creativity and talent to flourish.
Throughout the course, you will learn how to interpret briefs, identify and solve problems to create innovative illustration and design solutions. You will also engage with a variety of illustration focused industry and competition briefs, enhancing your professional practice and understanding of the industry.
The programme is tailored to support you towards a career as illustrators and creative practitioners. In the first year, you will focus on understanding the fundamentals of drawing and design principles. The second year will see you beginning to find and develop your individual voice by applying your illustration skills in creative project briefs and workshops. In the third year, you'll position your creative practice in preparation for entering the professional world, preparing for real-world experiences and aligning with your aspirations to enter the creative industries.
The BA Graphic Design (Illustration) degree is conducted in conjunction with the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course. Some module-specific teaching is shared, allowing you to build both your professional illustration skills and core graphic design knowledge, while being part of a supportive community of creative students.
Reasons to choose
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Study a range of topics on our programme, including drawing, illustration and image mark making techniques, applied graphic studies, and media and communication technology including video, photography, animation and motion design. A broad and diverse range of skill sets will equip you with the essentials you need to pursue a successful career in illustration and design.
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You will learn how to engage audiences and develop your own personal visual style across print, digital and analogue media platforms, to have the confidence to enter the creative industries.
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Gain valuable international experience as part of your studies with the DMUK Global programme. Our recent trip to Tbilisi in 2023 offered students an enriching cultural and educational experience, and a trip to Seoul is scheduled for 2024. These trips provide unique opportunities to explore global design perspectives and practices which enriches students creative studio practise.
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DMU Leicester graduates have gone on to work at some of the world’s most renowned design agencies and businesses, including Barclaycard, Google, Sony PlayStation, Penguin Books, Disney Studios, Burberry, and Warner Music.
Year one
- Exploration and Ideation for Graphic Design and Illustration
- Applied Idea Development for Graphic Design and Illustration
- Visual Communication for Graphic Design and Illustration
- Creative Resolution for Graphic Design and Illustration
Year two
- Design Process for Graphic Design and Illustration
- Design Process Progression for Graphic Design and Illustration
- Design Communication for Graphic Design and Illustration
- Personal Practice for Graphic Design and Illustration
Year three
- Independent Practice
- Independent Practice 2
- Professional Practice
- Professional Practice 2
Taught by experienced staff in a vibrant studio culture, teaching is delivered through workshops, seminars, team and individual tutorials, and interactive lectures from leading practitioners. Our newly developed and multi-purpose facilities include an iMac-equipped studio, Adobe Licensed Computer Labs, digital printing facilities, a Content Lab for photography, and traditional printmaking workshops. These resources enhance the learning experience, providing students with the tools needed for a comprehensive education in graphic design. You will also study a range of topics, including applied visual communication, design process, critical reflection and creative resolution.
Assessment
You can choose from a wide range of specialist topics in professional graphic design, such as advertising, interactive media, editorial typography, packaging, photography, sustainable design, creative bookmaking, and TV graphics.
The 'Education 2030' initiative introduces a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable, allowing more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback, and enjoy a better study-life balance.
Assessment is continuous, with feedback provided as your work develops. You will typically have 15 timetabled taught hours and undertake approximately 25 hours of independent study each week.
Students in the final year of secondary education institutions;
Students in the final year of technical, vocational, post-secondary and higher education institutions;
Graduates from secondary, post-secondary or higher education institutions.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
As part of the selection process, the Admissions team will consider the following:
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Portfolio
You will need a strong portfolio responding to our course guidelines as part of your application. For guidance on creating your Graphic Design portfolio, visit [https://www.dmu.ac.uk/study/courses/portfolio/graphic-design.aspx].
- For direct entries, an interview with the faculty is required for entry.
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English Language
We care about your success. Having a good foundation in English that you will further develop and enhance during your studies with us will set you up for success. The standard entry requirement is overall IELTS 6.0 or higher (with no component below 5.5) and TOEFL iBT 35 out of 120, with each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) not less than 9.
- Academic Qualifications
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Kazakhstan Qualifications:
Diploma of Secondary Vocational Education.
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UK Qualifications:
5 GCSE/IGCSE’s at A*- E, or two GCE A levels (grades A- E), or three GCE AS levels (grades A-E).
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International Baccalaureate:
International Baccalaureate IB – a minimum of 20 points.
International Baccalaureate IB – Middle Years Programme – 28 points with a minimum grade of 3 in each component.
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Personal Statement
As part of the selection process, we will ask you to submit a short statement in English to describe your ambitions, skills, and experience. Your personal statement supports your application to study at the university. It’s your chance to say why you’d like to study a particular course or subject and what skills and experience you possess that show your passion for your chosen field.
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Letter of Recommendation
You will need to provide a reference letter from your previous school or college’s teacher, counsellor, or principal.
Undergraduate
For September 2023/24 entry, our tuition fees for full-time undergraduate local and international students are 12,500$.
We will be offering a large number of discounts and scholarships as part of our offering.
Our Admissions team are here to provide you with advice on all aspects of money matters, including tuition fees, financial help and on funding your studies.
