Graphic design

Single Honours 

• Graphic Design 

• Visual Communication 

• Illustration 

Joint Honours 

• Graphic Design and Marketing 

• Graphic Design and Web Development 

• Graphic Design and Photography 

• Graphic Design and Advertising 

SOURCE: COMMON DEGREE TITLES FROM WHATUNI

 Alternative options 

• Foundation years Foundation years provide a pathway for individuals with a passion for design and an intention to study at undergraduate level, but who may lack the requisite qualifications or experience for enrolment. Typically lasting one year in duration, foundation degrees lead to undergraduate study. 

• Sandwich degrees Sandwich degrees include an extra year, usually ‘sandwiched’ between Year 2 and 3 of your undergraduate course. This time can be spent doing a year-long placement in a design studio or creative agency, or even taking part in a study abroad experience. 

• Integrated Master’s Integrated Master’s degrees provide opportunities for advanced study in your field of interest, and importantly, mean that you’ll graduate with a Master’s degree after one extra year of study, and at a much lower expense than a traditional postgraduate course. 

• Degree apprenticeships Degree apprenticeships allow you to earn a wage while gaining key professional skills and experience. They usually last between three and six years, and what’s more, your employer will even cover your course fees. 

SOURCE: WHATUNI

Entry requirements for graphic design programs vary, but typically include a portfolio of creative work demonstrating skills in design, illustration, or digital media. Some courses may prefer art, design, or related subjects. Mathematics and English may also be beneficial.  

It's possible to get onto an art and design foundation year with much lower entry requirements than stated above, and many unis really like applicants to have completed this before starting graphic design degree. 

Graphic design encompasses various specialisations, including everything from typography and logos to entire advertising campaigns. In today’s increasingly digital world, the possibilities for specialisation are exploding, with a whole universe of new apps, games, online stores, and internet media, in addition to the traditional forms that continue to persist. 

 Some specialisations include:  

• Visual branding Involves creating cohesive visual identities for brands through logos, colours, typography, and imagery. It's about communicating brand values, personality, and messaging to target audiences, fostering recognition and differentiation in a highly competitive market. 

• Editorial and publication design Focuses on designing layouts, typography, and graphics for printed materials such as magazines, newspapers, and books. It combines aesthetics with functionality to enhance readability, visual appeal, and storytelling in publications, and is as relevant to online publications as their printed predecessors. 

• Digital and interactive design Encompasses designing user interfaces and interactive media for digital platforms like websites, apps, and more. It integrates user experience (UX) principles with visual design to create engaging, intuitive, and functional digital experiences. 

• Packaging design Creating visually appealing and functional packaging often makes the difference in the success or failure of a new product. Graphic designers consider factors such as brand identity, product protection, and consumer appeal, to create packaging that communicates what the product is all about and makes it stand out. 

• Animation Animation, or motion graphics, involve creating dynamic visual content through moving images, graphics, and text. It’s used in various media such as advertisements, user interfaces, and digital content to convey information, evoke emotions, and enhance storytelling. 

• Typography  

• Design principles and composition 

• Digital illustration 

• User experience design (UX) 

• Design for print and digital media 

• Branding  

• Visual design history 

• Portfolio development 

• Narrative building 

Studying graphic design at university provides a well-rounded education, where you’ll gain a strong introduction to the design principles and creative processes, upon which most of the world’s visual media is based. 

You’ll get to grips with industry-standard software and design tools, gaining practical skills in typography, layout, colour theory, and image manipulation. Through project-based learning, studio work, critique sessions, and collaboration with peers, you’ll develop your own visual style and hone your technical skills, in preparation for a wide range of careers in graphic design. 

Additionally, you’ll pick up transferable skills such as: 

• Time management 

• Teamwork 

• Interpersonal communication 

• Creative problem solving 

In the UK, once you’ve completed your course and started your professional work, you can boost your professional credentials by joining the Chartered Society of Designers or the International Society of Typographical Designers, where you’ll also be able to network and make professional connections. Accreditation helps to enhance employability and facilitate career advancement in the graphic design profession. 

If you're interested in graphic design and visual media, but are considering alternative pathways, then it’s worth doing some research into the following degree options: 

• Illustration 

• Digital media 

• Photography 

• Advertising 

• Fine art 

Graphic design offers a diversity of careers across various industries, including advertising, marketing, publishing, digital media, and branding agencies. You have excellent opportunities to work freelance, or you could join a design studio and work as part of a larger interdisciplinary team. With the increasing demand for digital content and online marketing, opportunities in web design, user interface (UI) design, and interactive media are expanding. One of the best things about graphics is that it transcends language, meaning that you’ll be able to find work in many different countries and cultures around the world. Career options include: 

• Graphic designer 

• Art director 

• Web designer/developer 

• Illustrator 

• UX/UI designer 

• Typographer 

• Motion graphics designer 

• Brand identity specialist 

• Animator 

• Creative director