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BA Graphic Design
About this course
Graphic design is the discipline of visual communication: using type, image, colour, and layout to convey ideas, information, and identity in ways that are both functional and aesthetically considered. It is one of the most commercially embedded of all creative disciplines, operating at the heart of branding, publishing, advertising, web design, packaging, and environmental graphics, and it demands both a deep understanding of visual principles and the technical fluency to execute ideas across print and digital media. At the University of Plymouth, this three-year full-time programme includes a year abroad and places particular emphasis on typography as a foundation of design practice, exploring how type brings ideas to life and how design choices in letterforms, hierarchy, and layout communicate meaning. You will develop practical skills across traditional and digital tools, learning to make deliberate design decisions rather than following instinct alone, and building the confidence to experiment, refine, and create work that is both expressive and communicative. From initial sketches through to final layouts, you will develop a rigorous and reflective approach to the creative process. The year abroad broadens your visual and cultural reference points and gives you exposure to design traditions and approaches beyond the UK, which enriches your practice and strengthens your portfolio. Plymouth's emphasis on craft alongside concept means you graduate with both the ideas and the technical skills to execute them. Graduates move into careers in graphic design, branding, editorial and publishing design, digital design, UX and UI design, advertising, motion graphics, and art direction. Some establish independent practices or freelance careers, while others join design studios, agencies, or in-house creative teams. The skills developed on a graphic design degree are also valued in marketing, social media, and content production. Some graduates pursue postgraduate study in design or related visual arts disciplines.
Syllabus & Modules
Typical curriculumStudent Satisfaction
National Student Survey - 15 respondents (88% response rate)
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