Design & Creative Theory

This unit examines the importance and use of design and creativity in artistic and professional practice and will look at the theory, history and practices commonly associated with creativity and design.

Observation Drawing

This unit provides a structured introduction to the skills of drawing using a wide range of media and methods and encourages you to look at things in a selective way, giving you the tools to record your observations as a method of formal visual research.

Visual Culture

The main goal of this unit is to enable you to foster an educated understanding of contemporary visual culture, through the analysis and discussion of visual artifacts. This interdisciplinary subject explores the meanings and effects of visual images and ways of looking.

Elements of Design

This unit will provide an in-depth understanding of design principles and elements as a foundation for applied visual design practice. The unit will introduce fundamental design principles of balance, alignment, proximity, space, repetition, and contrast, among other key facets, and discuss how these can be harmoniously articulated as per the requirements of a design brief to create an effective and engaging visual solution. The coursework will challenge students to develop perceptual skills, sensitivity, creative awareness, and the technical know-how necessary to handle a variety of design media in contemporary culture and industry.

Design Lab A

The Design Lab A which runs parallel through the whole of term 1 will enable you to understand the evolution and implementation of different research and planning methodologies of the design process.

Visual Language

This unit develops an understanding of visual language as it is used in design practice and theory. It provides a theoretical foundation of knowledge that underpins visual communication.

Digital Drawing

This unit aims to introduce you to the use of digital graphic tools and software that support the visual Design process. It aims to provide an understanding of the connection and transition between manual and digital drawing and to enable creative expression in digital drawing through the use of different techniques.

Science Applied to Design

The aim of this unit is to provide you with basic theory and knowledge applied to 21st century design. The unit is taught thematically and will enable you to interpret phenomena, languages, technologies and measuring tools, which are useful to the integration of design thinking.

Typography Design

This unit discusses how the visual manipulation of words can bring great insight into text functions, enhance clarity and produce impressive visual communication. Students will learn the fundamentals of typography such as typographic elements and principles and how to use them effectively and creatively. The unit will also visually explore ideas through projects embracing typography as both information and art — that complements other learnings from the term, such as on visual discourses and forms generative resources for the BA design program as a whole.

Design Lab B

The Design Lab B will run across the whole of term 2 and is dedicated to developing applied skills in Graphic and Communication Design.