Bachelor of Arts - Digital Design (with International Foundation Program)

On the BA Digital Design, the priority is ensuring that students graduate with a creative, professional skillset. This incorporates communication design through typography, images and messaging, craft and digital skills drawing on typography, graphics and user experience/interfaces (UX/UI), as well as the concept of social design: using data as raw material for design, and the ethos of “design for good.” These three strands will ensure that students are ready for the practical realities of digital design work. This could mean working to a brief, pitching design concepts, collaborating with other industries and engaging in user research, fieldwork and ethnography. Students will also graduate with a strong foundation in design methods, meaning that from the initial prototype, students will be able to implement their visual sketches, proposed user journeys and storyboards effectively as a well-rounded digital designer. Innovation and human-design centred, this degree will provide graduates with a strong grounding in design for digital platforms and Extended Reality (XR) environments. This practice-led degree combines industry experience, with fundamentals in digital design including moving image, graphic design, animation, and human-computer interaction design. Teaching on this programme emphasises active learning: the studio-based workshops and seminars will be supplemented by lectures, technical demonstrations and open studio sessions where teams will collaborate on projects – all based in the University of Roehampton's new, state-of-the-art media centre – the Sir David Bell Building. Students will be set authentic assessment, meaning that their projects, tasks and exercises will replicate the working world of digital design, ensuring that they are fully prepared for life after graduation. Between Years 2 and 3, students can also opt for a professional placement year, meaning students have the opportunity to apply for a placement and gain valuable real-world experience in digital design. Across the programme, students will work to brief, build project management skills, and work with external "clients" in the community on live projects, as well as participating in design competitions. Students will also be well supported in the School of Arts, as the design provision at the University of Roehampton will draw on existing strengths in computer science, media production and performing arts, meaning that there are fantastic opportunities for collaboration across the School with other courses and teams. By incorporating core visual design skills and technical development skills, the BA Digital Design will help students emerge with an ability to design and develop communications, services and experiences in numerous industries. This course offers all students the option of a one-year paid work placement, to boost their employability even further. If students choose this route, they will take the placement following year two of the course, and then return to complete their degree.