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b3 yrs full-time
Duration
££9,000 p.a.
Fees per anum UK
DUniversity of Wales Trinity Saint David
Course validator
#W216
Course Code
hH18
Institution code

During your time on our BA (Hons) Graphic & Media Design course, you’ll become a professional Graphic Designer/Graphic Artist learning from industry experienced lecturers. We will support you in gaining work experience with local and national creative media companies, as well as giving you the opportunity to work with professional designers, artists and live clients.

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Get a flavour of student work

This course will equip you with key skills for launching your exciting career in the creative industry including: Design for social media, UI/UX Design, branding, motion graphics, editorial design packaging design, graphic arts, graphic illustration, web design, app design, information graphics, book arts, animation and advertising.

As the teaching team are all industry experienced Graphic and Media Designers we are able to impart real-world knowledge, ensuring that you are taught to the standard that the industry will look for in a graduate. We will encourage you to express yourself through distinctive, creative, commercially savvy and ambitious ideas, working on projects individually and collaboratively with students from other disciplines across Hereford College of Arts. You will work in a professional but relaxed studio environment with plenty of individual work space and access to all the latest tech and software.

Our smaller group sizes mean you can receive support and creative challenges from industry-active tutors and technicians – as and when you need it.

You will be encouraged to personalise your journey throughout the course based on your passions and aptitudes, and to develop your own, unique graphic style and apply it to the many career choices available to you.

Your Creative Career

  • Graphic Designer (employed)
  • Graphic Designer (Freelance self-employed)
  • UI/UX Designer
  • Marketing Designer/producer
  • Motion Graphics Designer
  • Editorial and Print Designer
  • Brand creator and Manager
  • Packaging Designer
  • Art worker/Visualiser
  • Graphic Artist
  • Learning Designer
  • Animator
  • Architectural Drafter
  • Art Director/ Creative Director
  • Studio Manager
  • Teacher

More about this course

We take an immersive, project-based approach to learning. This is supported by regular workshops teaching vital creative, technical and software skills. Throughout the course, you’ll work on a wide range of external projects, developing your professional practice.

Being part of a dedicated creative community at HCA means it is easy to work across boundaries, access an exciting range of workshops, and collaborate with students across other disciplines.

  • Learn from experienced, practising professionals whose work includes a wide variety of contemporary screen and print media.
  • Fantastic access to teaching staff, workshops, and equipment. Consistent challenge and support from an industry skilled team to develop as a designer.
  • Explore your own passions, with the option of a graphic arts pathway.
  • Work alongside experienced professionals on live industry projects.
  • Collaborate with: photography, illustration, and animation students.
  • Develop your unique graphic voice and build a career that suits your professional desires.
  • A programme of visiting lecturers from around the world bringing cutting edge practice to HCA students.

SuperDry Clothing | Hay Festival | MASH Cinema | D&AD | YCN

Our well-developed links with media industries in the region, London, and nationally, offer you invaluable professional experience, the chance of fantastic work placements, and a stimulating external speaker programme. In the past, final year students have also exhibited at high profile graduate showcase exhibitions in London.

  • Minimum age 18.
  • Successful portfolio interview.
  • Academic achievement – we would normally expect applicants to have achieved 80 UCAS Tariff Points at entry but, whilst qualifications are important, our offers are not solely based on academic results. We may make offers based on other evidence of talent and suitability for the course.
  • 80 UCAS Points on the New UCAS Tariff system for 2017 equates to 200 UCAS points on the previous points system – for more details please see tariff explanation and advice on the UCAS website.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English – proof of IELTS overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all sections (reading, writing, listening & speaking) is required.
  • Applications from mature students with relevant experience will also be considered.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning Opportunities – the college welcomes applications from students with prior learning and/or previous experience. Further details on eligibility can be found on page 15 of our Admissions Policy.
  • Alternatively, please contact us at registry@hca.ac.uk and we can offer further advice on HCA and the UWTSD awarding body requirements.

NB for Top-Up students different entry requirements apply – please see our Top-Ups application page for more information.

 

Find out more about our new, purpose-built student accommodation in the heart of the City. The accommodation is located next to Hereford Railway Station and is mid-way between the two teaching campuses (College Road & Folly Lane)

HCA is an independent arts school surrounded by people who are passionate about the arts, media and performance. Find out more about why you should choose HCA.

For more details about the course, click here

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Introduction to the Graphic & Media Design degree at HCA

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Introduction to the Graphic & Media Design degree at HCA

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BA Graphic & Media Design Student Experience

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BA (Hons) Graphics & Media Design

Innes Jones

Course Leader

Our new Graphic Arts Pathway is proving increasingly popular. It allows highly creative students to adopt an individual approach to creating experimental and original art within the context of visual communication. Working on the graphic arts develops a broad range of skills that result in versatile, resourceful graduates.

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BA (Hons) Graphic & Media Design 22

I really enjoyed working with a number of local businesses, giving me the chance to see my work being used and enjoyed by the public.

Mitchell Adams

What you will study

Introduction to Year One

During the first year, you’ll begin to develop an understanding of fundamental aspects of graphic and media design. These include exploring the creative design process and applying design principles in order to effectively communicate in both print and screen based formats.

You are also introduced to creative practice including modules such as ‘Type, Text & Meaning’, as well as introductions to ‘Interactive Design’, and explorations of ‘Narrative & Sequence’.

Throughout the year studio activity is complemented by a supporting Cultural Studies lecture programme. This lecture series will explore and challenge the role of the ‘Media Arts’ within the social, cultural and political framework of the Western world during the 20th and 21st centuries.

Introduction to Year Two

The second year aims to provide specialist skills and knowledge, by exploring the increasingly important role that ‘Image and Identity’ plays within society. In addition to a programme of Cultural and Professional Studies, you’ll begin formulating a Business Plan for development in year three and will take part in an ‘Entrepreneurship’ module where you will produce graphic artwork and work as a team to create a pop-up shop or exhibition. In the second part of the year, you’re provided with opportunities to explore and challenge our understanding of ‘designing for screen’, and ‘motion graphics’. You’ll also explore a number of different design challenges throughout the year by responding to commissioned live briefs from businesses and external organisations, and you’ll be encouraged to enter national design competitions.

Introduction to Year Three

In the final year, the course provides close and continued advice and encouragement from the staff team.  This gives you a supportive platform on which to develop your ideas and specialism further. You’ll work in an increasingly self-directed manner, with a developing emphasis on adaptability, including taking responsibility for your studies and working at a professional level. There is an increased emphasis on research, and critical thinking. A major body of work is produced, which forms the basis of your graduate portfolio that will be crucial to your onward trajectory after the course.

You’ll also work towards a dissertation and final professional practice business plan, including identifying potential markets and selecting your own professional target. Throughout the course, you’ll explore potential areas for employment by visiting design companies, and meeting professional designers who can give you valuable feedback and advice on your portfolio.