Communication Design - Graphics, Illustration, Photography

Four honours degree awards are available including Communication Design and/or specialising in Graphic Design, Illustration or Photography.

Year 1

This full-time, studio-based year will develop your creative and critical practice and challenge your understanding of the Art & Design disciplines. These experiences will expand on both your contextual and practical knowledge, introduce you to the Creative Industries and inform your course options for Year 2.

Year 2

In Year 2 you will apply your knowledge and understanding of the creative process within a series of design projects that are delivered through a combination of studio, workshop and contextual and critical study activities that will enable you to develop outcomes that respond to the briefs and allow you to explore your own interests and ambitions as a designer.

Year 3

You will begin to make informed choices about opting into our course routes and potentially specialise in Graphic Design, Illustration or Photography through studio project work and increasing levels of self-directed study in preparation for Year 4. You will gain insight into a variety of professional contexts through live project briefs and explore the requirements of new business start-up.

Year 4

Students can opt to specialise within a particular area, or to undertake a broader cross-disciplinary route of study within Communication Design. Through researching subjects, topics, and themes you will respond to design briefs that will underpin your study and final outcomes. You will develop a creative body of work and portfolio in response to your interests and career ambitions and exhibit at our annual Degree Show.

Communication Design Portfolios

Explore the wide variety of student work and projects on our portfolio page:

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

Learning Methods

You will explore graphics, illustration and photography within a variety of design studio and workshop settings that facilitate collaborative learning experiences using both traditional techniques and the latest digital technologies. Our critical and contextual studies modules explore visual design culture and context while our creative future activities embed an enterprising outlook.

You will have the opportunity to participate in a diverse range of external facing activities throughout the duration of the course including international field study trips, national design competitions, and live collaborative projects with a wide variety of external businesses and organisations.

Activity Summary

Year 4

• Lectures - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Seminars - Approx 12 students per group, 1 - 2 hours per week
• Webinar - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Tutorial - 1 - 12 students per group, 0.5 hour  per week
• Project Supervision - Approx 50 students per group, 1 - 2 hours per week
• Demonstration - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Practical class or workshop -Approx 50 students per group,length of time varies per week
• Supervised time in studio / workshop - Approx 50 students per group,length of time varies per week
• Independent Study - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Field Work - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• External Visits - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week
• Placement / Work Based Learning - Approx 50 students per group, length of time varies per week

Unless specified, activities vary between 1-5 hours per week depending on the module you are undertaking. More detailed information about indicative student workload hours can be found within each module's detailed information page.

How long is a BA (Hons) Communication Design: Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography course?

The duration of a Communication Design course is 4 years. This includes lectures, workshops, independent study and other activities.

Independent Study

As you progress through the course increasing emphasis is placed upon the development of independent learning which culminates in Year 4 when you embark on a series of self-directed design project/s. Honours year will afford you the opportunity reflect on your previous experiences and apply your knowledge and skills at a level approaching professional practice within your chosen route and/or specialism.

Staff Delivering on This Course

Our dedicated team of academic and technical staff have extensive knowledge and understanding of the field and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Their experience and expertise will provide you with a deep understanding of the communication design disciplines.

Our Professional Associates and industry experts also contribute to the course in a variety of ways and our Guest@Grays lecture programme invites national and international illustrators, designers and photographers to speak about their work. The course works closely with the University’s Library, Study Skills and Careers Centre and staff at other academic institutions.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 3 portfolios

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolios

Year 3

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 3 portfolios
• 1 oral assessment

Year 4

• 1 dissertation
• 1 portfolio

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Placements

You will have the opportunity to undertake an optional 10-week ‘work placement’ or alternatively a 4-week ‘work experience’ in Semester 2 of Year 3. This will enable you to gain first-hand experience and insight into professional practice. Opportunities involve working with local, national and international creative companies and designers including FortyTwo Studio, Imajica Brand Evolution, Timorous Beasties, Bespoke Atelier and TellyJuice.

Placements are advertised through our Placement Office however you also have the option of sourcing your own the placement provider with support from the University. You are responsible for finding the placement with support from the placement office and academic staff. 

Study Abroad

In Semester 2 of Year 3, you will have the opportunity to experience other creative learning environments and cultures through international field study trips and our international study exchanges with our partner colleges in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Finland, Denmark and Canada.

Job Prospects

Is Communication Design a good career choice?

The choice of routes and the wide range of experiences offered by our course ensures that you will have a number of employment opportunities in various roles across a range of industry sectors post-graduation. The department is mindful of employer expectations, and we adapt the curriculum accordingly whilst continuing to closely monitor emerging and future employment trends and opportunities.

Our graduates are adaptable and capable competing in the job market; securing employment locally and nationally across a wide range of creative and commercial sectors with many also establishing their own freelance consultancies while others are working as designers, illustrators and photographers for major creative design agencies and media organisations. A number have extended their education through Postgraduate study.

Previous BA (Hons) Communication Design graduates have gone on to pursue careers as:

• Graphic Designers
• Illustrators
• Photographers
• Brand & Content Manager
• Social Media Managers
• Digital & Motion Designers
• Web Designers
• Social Media Marketing Assistant
• Art Workers & Publishers
• Digital Animators
• Motion Graphic Designers
• UX Designers

What is needed for a BA (Hons) Communication Design: Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography course?

Standard Entry Requirements

Entry to Year 1

These requirements relate to the first year of the BA (Hons) Foundation Art and Design. Entry to the BA (Hons) Communication Design course is from year 2 only either via suitable entry qualifications as stated, or after completion of year 1 BA (Hons) Foundation Art and Design. 

• SQA Higher: BCC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
• GCE A Level: CC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English e.g. History).
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H3H3H4 to include Art (or a creative design and/or technology subject e.g. Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)
• IB Diploma: 24 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).

All applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) will be invited to attend a portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Entry to Year 2

Suitable qualifications for entry to Year 2 (or above) may include relevant GCE A Levels, HNC/HND or Diploma in Foundation Studies (e.g. Art & Design, Design & Media, Fashion Design, Textile Design).

• GCE A Level: BCC to include Art & Design (or a creative design and/or media subject e.g. Media Studies) and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English).
• IB Diploma: 27 to include Higher Level Visual Arts and English (or a written subject requiring the use of English)

All advanced entry applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) and who successfully meet the criteria will be invited to attend an ‘advanced’ portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

Entry to Year 1

• SQA Higher: CCC to include Art / Design (or a creative design and/or media subject such as Graphic Communication, Media Studies) and English or a written subject requiring the use of English

Applicants from Partner Colleges

A relevant HND from one of our partner colleges will be considered for entry into Year 2 or 3, subject to successfully meeting the partner course criteria.  

All advanced entry applicants with the appropriate qualifications (or due to sit appropriate qualifications) and who successfully meet the criteria will be invited to attend an ‘advanced’ portfolio review/interview and participate in a selection process.

Alternative Qualifications

Those who may not hold the standard qualifications listed are encouraged to apply if they can evidence other appropriate/relevant creative work, qualifications and/or life experiences. Such candidates are advised to contact the Student Admissions Service for further advice and guidance.

A portfolio review/interview is still a requirement for this category of candidate.

International Students

The International College at Robert Gordon University offers first year degree entry into Art and Design courses at Robert Gordon University for International Students.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Costs

• Studio fund: £100 Year 1, £30 Year 2, £30 Year 3, £30 Year 4
• £50 - £150 Materials
• £250 Field Study (optional)
• £750 International Travel (optional)
• £300 Camera (optional)
• £1,000 Laptop (optional)
• £350 Tablet (optional)