Integrated Foundation - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Graphic Design

The BA (Hons) Graphic Design with Foundation Year at Derby prepares students for a stimulating and inspiring career in graphic design, encouraging them to become creative problem-solvers and dynamic communicators. The programme 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 extends beyond commercial objects to engage with contexts, environments, and diverse audiences. Graduates are equipped to inform, confront, persuade, entertain, provoke, challenge, question, and engage with political, social, and environmental issues through their work. 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 emphasises a strong studio culture, centred on making, conceptualisation, and the design process. Students are based at Markeaton Street in specialist studio spaces that encourage innovation and experimentation. The teaching team comprises experienced practitioners offering extensive expertise across design, supporting students in preparation for careers in the creative industries. Professional guidance, portfolio consultations, and career development opportunities are embedded throughout the programme. Visiting speakers from across the industry provide real-world knowledge and insights, inspiring students to explore potential roles within the creative sector.

External connections linked to the course enable engagement with design studios, live project pitches, and collaborations with cultural partners. Design theory is applied in practical contexts through field trips to galleries, exhibitions, conferences, and seminars. In the final year, students produce a professional portfolio showcasing a body of creative work that reflects their achievements and serves as a launchpad for a career as a professional designer.