Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Graphic Design

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme at Derby offers a stimulating and inspiring pathway for aspiring graphic designers, encouraging students to become creative problem-solvers and dynamic communicators. The course challenges students to think differently, fostering the mindset of a contemporary designer who continually develops both technical and intellectual skills. Graphic design is presented as a powerful medium that engages with contexts, environments, and diverse audiences, going beyond commercial objects to inform, confront, persuade, entertain, provoke, challenge, and engage with political, social, and environmental issues. The programme aims to cultivate passionate, creative, resourceful, entrepreneurial, and adaptive problem-finders who are prepared to embrace the evolving opportunities of 21st-century graphic design.

The course is built around a strong studio culture, emphasising making, conceptualisation, and the design process. Students work in specialist studio spaces at Markeaton Street, where innovation and experimentation are actively encouraged. The teaching team comprises experienced practitioners offering extensive expertise across design, guiding students in preparation for careers in the creative industries. Professional guidance, portfolio consultations, and career development support are embedded throughout the programme. Visiting industry speakers provide real-world knowledge and insights, helping students explore potential career paths within the creative sector.

The programme leverages external connections, enabling engagement with design studios, participation in live project pitches, and collaborations with cultural partners. Students apply design theory in practical contexts through field trips to galleries, exhibitions, conferences, and seminars. In the final year, students produce a professional portfolio that presents a body of creative work reflecting their achievements and serves as a launchpad for a career as a professional designer.