Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools & departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • Current applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Study & Life
  • Research
  • About Us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study & Life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International & EU
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About Us
    • Business
    • Working with the community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
    • Contact us
  • Current applicants
  • Current Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Schools & departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • View courses

MA COMMUNICATION DESIGN: BOOK DESIGN PATHWAY

View all

Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months

Start date: September 2019

MA Communication Design combines the development of practical skills with the study of historical and theoretical issues, in a world-class research-intensive environment.

This course integrates shared elements of study and pathway-specific elements. This Book Design pathway allows for specialisation and a deeper engagement with Communication Design. 

The Book Design pathway combines practical design for printed books and digital publishing platforms with related theory and history of typographic design and visual culture. A lively studio environment is fostered through assignments for clients, practical projects set by practising designers, and through access to traditional and digital printing facilities.

In the practice of book design, you will develop your work through briefed and self-directed projects that engage with emerging experimental publishing strategies as well as the current demands of professional practice. You will develop both your design skills and your ability to write reports and evaluate designs in relation to audience/user needs and production practicalities.

A research-based approach

As well as working with our own extensive special collections, we make visits to archives and libraries in Oxford and elsewhere, ensuring a truly hands-on experience of book history. Through our collaboration with the London Centre for Book Arts, we also have excellent venues for London-based activities.

You will develop your knowledge and analytical skills through lectures, seminars, and directed reading. Supported by workshops on research-based writing, your dissertation will allow you to focus on a specific aspect of historical or contemporary book design, through consideration of both practice and critical discourse.

The pathway is led by Ruth Blacksell with contributions from Rick Poynor. Visiting academics, researchers and award-winning professional designers ensure that you are challenged by a wide range of genres and approaches. Whenever possible, you can join students on our other MA pathways for taught elements, enhancement activities and to hear visiting speakers.

Entry requirements

IELTS: 7.0 overall with no element less than 6.0 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements: At least 2:1 honours (or equivalent from a university outside the UK) in a design or design-relevant subject or, for exceptional candidates without such a degree, convincing evidence of relevant professional experience. Applicants will be asked to provide a portfolio and an example of academic writing as part of the application process.

What will you study?

Students on the Book Design pathway work on three modules. The first involves a series of seminars that cover key areas in typography and book design, and build a foundation in critical reading and research methods. These seminars are shared with other master’s students, and include reading and discussion of key texts, and preparation of a presentation to peers.

The practical module for the Book Design pathway focuses on design for printed books and digital publishing platforms with cross-reference to related theories and histories of typographic design and visual culture. A lively studio environment is fostered through assignments for clients, practical projects set by practising designers, and through access to traditional and digital printing facilities.

The third module comprises preparation and work for a substantial dissertation, on an area that may be connected to the work in the other modules of the programme.

 

How much will it cost?

How much will it cost?

New UK/EU students: £7,545 per year

New international students: £16,045 per year

Additional Costs

These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

The fees given are for entry in the academic year starting in September 2019, and will be confirmed in your offer letter. You can find more information on fees and funding, including for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.

What career can you have?

What career can you have?

We have an excellent employment record. Graduates take up positions with established book publishers and studios specialising in publication design. Many develop their own businesses and practices and some go on to PhD research and academic careers. Employers include the British Library, the Folio Society, John Morgan Studio, Oxford University Press, Dorling Kindersley, and Taschen.

About the School


Visit the Typography and Graphic Communication website.

Working on a variety of practice-based projects has been invaluable, and the research, reading and writing helped me to develop and sharpen my analytical skills. I have been able to apply all of this to my current work on a challenging digital project for one of the world’s largest publishers of art books.

Lozana Rossenova
MA Book Design

Take the next step


Find out how to apply

Come to a postgraduate event

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Related Courses

  • MA Research Typography and Graphic Communication
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MA Communication Design: Typeface Design Pathway
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MA Communication Design: Information Design Pathway
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MA Creative Enterprise (Communication Design Pathway)
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
  • MA Communication Design: General Pathway
    Full Time: 12 months | Part Time: 24 months
View all Typography and Graphic Communication courses
mask
Close
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • Italian
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Modern Languages and European Studies
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Primary Teaching
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Science foundation programmes
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Conservation of Buildings
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Economics
  • Education
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Informatics
  • Information Technology
  • International Business Studies
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval Studies
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Planning
  • Plant Sciences
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Secondary Teaching
  • Social Policy
  • Soil Science
  • Special Needs Teaching
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Ready for more?

How to apply
Visit an Open Day
Get a prospectus
View courses
  • Charitable status 
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading