COVID-19 update
Develop the ability to express your design ideas confidently, learn how to solve real-life graphic communication challenges, and graduate with a diverse and relevant portfolio.
The Department of Typography & Graphic Communication offers you a distinctive approach to a design degree. We integrate different ways of thinking about design – practical, historical, and theoretical – so that you will become a well-rounded ‘thinking designer’, with a profile that’s sought after by the design industry.
You will undertake practical projects across digital and print media, and learn about design principles and how to respond to user needs. Current projects include: brand campaigns, e-books and magazines, music packaging, newspapers, pictograms, wayfinding and sign systems, and websites and mobile apps. You will also enjoy a hands-on approach to design history through our renowned graphic design collections.
You will learn how to communicate your design ideas clearly and persuasively through project reports and presentations. Essays and a final-year dissertation will develop your research skills and your ability to bring your ideas together. This combination of academic writing, problem-solving, and client-facing communication gives you a competitive edge in the employment market. You can also broaden your profile by studying abroad in your second year.
We offer small-group teaching, accessible tutors, dedicated 24-hour studio spaces, and a hands-on approach to design history through our renowned graphic design collections. You will learn how to communicate your design ideas clearly and persuasively through project reports and presentations. Essays and a final year dissertation will develop your research skills and your ability to bring your ideas together. You will also have opportunities to collaborate with staff on research projects with real-world impact. 91% of students were satisfied with academic support (National Student Survey, 2020).
The curriculum is constantly evolving and is informed by the research carried out by our staff. Our research, much of which is concerned with everyday communication, is recognised as excellent – we were recently ranked first among all UK art and design institutions in the Research Excellence Framework 2014. 100% of our research was recognised internationally and 56% was rated world-leading.
Placement
We bring the benefits of placements into the Department for all students. Employers such as IBM Design and Oxford University Press are actively engaged with our teaching and offer individual feedback on student projects. You will develop your approach to design in a practical way through working with real clients, real budgets and real time scales. These ‘real jobs’ are supported by your tutors and form part of your assessment. You will also work alongside the University’s professional design team to gain experience of dealing with print and online production processes.
In your second year you will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner institutions, where the design courses are taught in English. We currently have links with DHBW in Ravensburg, Germany; Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver, Canada; and Monash University in Melbourne, Australia.