Graphics & Illustration Pathway

WE PROVIDE

Students will be actively supported through a hands-on approach, including extensive contact time with their tutors and access to the materials and equipment they need to reach their full potential.??All learning takes place in dedicated and equipped specialist studios with a digital library of key practical and digital demonstrations and lectures available for students to reference.

To help our young artists we provide an artist pack on arrival, with the essential tools to start project work. All students will also receive:

Access to all the Adobe software (Photoshop, InDesign, Premier Pro,?Audition,?After Effects)
Free colour printing
Dedicated workstation?and iMac?
Access to our 3D workshop with a laser cutter, 3D printer and vacuum former
Use of our professional-standard photography studio and equipment (cameras, lighting, backdrops)
Access to in-studio library resources

THE AWARD

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Diploma, students will be awarded the UAL Level 3 or 4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.

Upon successful completion of the Extended Diploma, students will be awarded the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication.

The UAL Level 3 & 4 Diplomas are quality assured by the UAL Awarding Body through a rigorous external moderation process and grades are monitored against agreed national standards. They are also regulated by Ofqual.

“最新麻豆视频 is?a great opportunity?for students who really want to pursue art and design at university. The first year has allowed me to explore many?different types?of art, so I would really get to know what specialism I would like to pursue in university.”

Tae

Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication –?Graphics & Illustration pathway

COURSE OVERVIEW & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Foundation Diploma in Art & Design – Graphics & Illustration Pathway (1 Year)

OVERVIEW

Course Location?
最新麻豆视频?

Course Length?
3 Terms?

Course Start?
September?or January

Tutor Support?
Specialist staff support available 5 days a week.?
?
Studio Access?
Students have access to our Bridge House studios 5 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday. Our Sturton Street studios are open to students 7 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday and from 11:00am to 5.45pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

How your work is assessed??
Visual and written assignments and projects. With specifications set by UAL Awarding Body.??
?
Awarding Body?
University of the Arts London Awarding Body?
?
English Language?
Up to 5 hours per week if required?
?
Progression?
Guaranteed progression to any of our BA courses on successful completion of the Foundation Diploma. Students have progressed to top institutions such as: 最新麻豆视频, UAL: Camberwell College of Arts, UAL: Central Saint Martins, UAL: London College of Communication, UAL: Chelsea College of Arts, Glasgow School of Art, Goldsmiths University of London, University of Edinburgh, University for the Creative Arts, Kingston University, Loughborough University, University of Brighton, University of Southampton, School of Visual Arts (New York, USA), The School of Art Institute (Chicago, USA)

Achievements
100% of our students passed the UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design?in 2024-25

ENTRY

Age?
17 years +?

Educational Level?
Completion of High School is needed or a minimum of 1 x Level 3 qualification, preferably in a relevant creative subject (i.e. A level) and 3 x GCSEs at grade 4 or grade C, including Maths and English and at least one of which should be in a creative arts subject.

Students who do not meet these entry requirements will still be considered on their own individual potential to succeed subject to a portfolio review and interview.???

English Level for International Students?
IELTS 4.5+ (no element under 4.0)?

Portfolio?
A portfolio of work showing personal work, schoolwork, finished and prepared is required for this course. Your portfolio is the chance to show us your skills and your passion. Download our guide to see what we look for in a portfolio.

Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication – Graphics & Illustration Pathway (2 Years)

OVERVIEW

Course Location?
最新麻豆视频?

Course Length?
2 years (6 Terms)

Course Start?
September?or January

Tutor Support?
Specialist staff are timetabled 3 days a week, with staff across the department available Mondays to Fridays.?

Studio Access?
Students have access to our Bridge House studios 5 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday. Our Sturton Street studios are open to students 7 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday and from 11:00am to 5.45pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Awarding Body?
University of the Arts London Awarding Body?

How your work is assessed??
Visual and written assignments and projects. With specifications set by UAL Awarding Body.??
?
English Language?
Up to 5 hours per week if required?

Progression?
Guaranteed progression to any of our BA courses on successful completion of the Foundation Diploma. Students have progressed to top institutions such as: 最新麻豆视频, UAL: Camberwell College of Arts, UAL: Central Saint Martins, UAL: London College of Communication, UAL: Chelsea College of Arts, Glasgow School of Art, Goldsmiths University of London, University of Edinburgh, University for the Creative Arts, Kingston University, Loughborough University, University of Brighton, University of Southampton, School of Visual Arts (New York, USA), The School of Art Institute (Chicago, USA)

Achievements

100% of our students passed the UAL?Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication in 2024-25

ENTRY

Age?
16 years +?

Educational Level?
Successful completion of Secondary Education (Year 10 or Year 11 depending on the native country) is needed or 3 GCSEs at Grade 4 or C or equivalent, preferably in a relevant creative subject.?

Students who do not meet these entry requirements will still be considered on their own individual potential to succeed, and invited to an interview and portfolio review.

English Level for International Students?
IELTS 4.5+ (no element under 4.0)?

STRUCTURE

The following curriculum structure applies to both the one-year Foundation Diploma and the second year of the Extended Diploma.

FIRST TERM

At the start of the first term, you will take part in an induction week to meet tutors and students across different pathways. Throughout the term, you will work on collaborative projects that help you build connections, expand your skills and develop versatility.

最新麻豆视频 lecturers and pathway leaders will guide you in making informed university choices and developing your portfolio. You will also gain confidence in presenting and discussing your work, while documenting your creative process in a digital learning journal. This journal is submitted weekly via Canvas, allowing tutors to review your progress and provide regular feedback.

SECOND TERM

In the second term, you will apply the skills gained in your first term to a number of projects and live briefs. You will also explore a variety of themes relevant to environmental, social and political issues as you develop your critical and contextual skills and prepare for university interviews.?

THIRD TERM

In your final term at 最新麻豆视频, you will consolidate your practice through your Final Major Project, an agreed proposal and self-directed project.

UNITS OF STUDY

Unit 1: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice?

In this first unit, you will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows you to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to Graphic Design & Illustration.?

Projects*?

Project 1: Illustration & Printing Experiments – ‘Hello There!’?

This opening project is your chance to explore, experiment and push your creativity in new directions. Working across a range of hands-on processes, including printmaking, collage, painting, photography and illustration, you’ll discover how different materials and techniques can shape powerful visual outcomes.

You will be introduced to lino printing, where you’ll take part in specialist workshops to develop both your technical skill and creative confidence.

Responding to a single word -“濒补苍驳耻补驳别”- you’ll develop a creative outcome based on your personal interpretation, transforming your ideas into visually striking and conceptually rich work. This is about more than making images, it’s about communicating ideas, developing your own visual voice and producing outcomes that are both thoughtful and original.

Project 2:?Experimental Typography – ‘Word Up!’?

This project challenges you to think and work like a designer, using research as a powerful creative tool to shape original, high-quality outcomes. You’ll be introduced to the influence of established artists and designers, alongside the expressive potential of experimental typography.

Working from a randomly assigned artist and word, you’ll analyse their visual language and reinterpret it through your own ideas, processes and creative decisions. This is your opportunity to explore how style, technique and concept can be transformed into something personal and distinctive.

Through a series of practical workshops, including collage and technical?sessions, you’ll experiment with materials, composition and typographic form. Your work will be assessed on the strength of your interpretation, the depth of your research and your ability to generate innovative, well-developed ideas.

Project 3: Scale in Design – ‘1st?Class’

This project is all about exploring identity in a bold, creative way through designing your own set of stamps. You’ll dive into research, develop your ideas and build a visually striking collection that reflects your chosen theme. Starting big and thinking freely, you’ll refine and sharpen your concepts as you scale them down, learning how to make every detail count.

Along the way, you’ll experiment with powerful imagery and typography, discovering how design choices can completely transform meaning and impact, and develop a style that feels uniquely yours.

The project finishes with a large group critique, where you’ll present your work, share your thinking and engage with feedback from others. It’s a chance to see how your ideas land, strengthen your confidence, and learn how to both give and receive thoughtful, constructive criticism - just like in the real creative world.

?*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends?

Skills Developed?In Unit 1

Page/Layout Design, Photography & Image Manipulation, Scaling & Reduction, Typography, Colour Theory, Drawing & Mark Making

Students will develop confidence in using various Adobe Creative Suite projects, including:

Photoshop: masks, layers, clone tools, cutting and selecting images, file size reduction and saving methods.
InDesign: page setups, grids, columns, margins, text and image manipulations/placements, spread design, PDF saving/exporting methods.

Illustrator: vector work, anchor manipulation, typographic styling and manipulation.

Unit 2: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 3)

This unit will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices you have developed in Unit 1 and to define your creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position your creative endeavours within Graphic Design & Illustration.

Projects*?

Project 1:?Advertising Campaign – ‘It’s a Sell Out!’?

Through this project you will take a completely ordinary object and turn it into the next must-have product. In this project, you’ll be challenged to reimagine everyday items and “sell” them based on their unique qualities. What makes them amazing? How could they become essential, iconic, or even viral?

You’ll build a full advertising campaign from the ground up. That means designing a bold logo, experimenting with typography and creating high-impact visuals across posters and magazine spreads. Then you’ll expand your concept further by producing additional promotional piece, anything from billboards and social media GIFs to vehicle graphics, packaging, or even a storyboard for a 20-second TV advert.

Along the way, you’ll take part in technical workshops to help you refine both your creative and digital skills. Crucially, you’ll learn how advertising really works and understanding the ethical boundaries of the industry, including an introduction to advertising standards. It’s a project that blends creativity with strategy, giving you the tools to think like a designer and a creative director.

Project 2: Film Poster Redesign – ‘Roll Cameras!’?

Step into the world of iconic 1980s cinema by selecting one standout film from a curated list and reimagining its visual identity for a modern audience. This project challenges you to dive deep into the culture, style and influences of the era, using research as the foundation for bold, original ideas.

You’ll experiment with expressive typography and striking imagery to design both a teaser poster and a main theatrical release poster, capturing the essence of the film while giving it a fresh, contemporary edge. Along the way, you’ll explore advanced design principles including layout, visual hierarchy, focal points and colour theory, while refining your digital techniques through hands-on workshops. This is your chance to blend nostalgia with innovation and create work that feels both timeless and cutting-edge.

Project 3: Book Cover Reinterpretation - ‘Read Me…’?

Reimagine the look and feel of classic literature by redesigning the cover of an iconic book. This project invites you to explore a wide range of creative approaches, from illustration and photography to collage, material experimentation and digital image manipulation, pushing you to craft a visually compelling narrative that reflects the essence of the text.

Working within professional design frameworks you’ll develop a refined, high-level outcome that balances creativity with precision. With guidance from technical workshops and lectures, you’ll sharpen both your practical and conceptual skills, creating work that feels thoughtful, original, and industry-ready.

Project 4: University Research & Application?

This unit is designed to support you at every stage of researching, shortlisting and applying to university. You’ll receive regular guidance through weekly personal tutor sessions and one-to-one tutorials during the Autumn term. In September, a dedicated UCAS week includes a visit to the London UCAS Fair, where you can explore courses, meet university representatives and ask questions directly.

Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course, applying the skills learned in your Portfolio Skills classes.?

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends.

Skills Developed In Unit 2?

Page/Layout Design, Photography & Image Manipulation, Scaling & Reduction, Typography, Colour Theory, Drawing & Mark Making, Template Management, Practical & Digital Cross-Over Manipulations.

Adobe Creative Suite:?

Photoshop: masks, layers, clone tools, cutting and selecting images, file size reduction and saving methods.

InDesign: page setups, grids, columns, margins, text and image manipulations/placements, spread design and PDF saving/ exporting methods.?

Unit 3: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 4)

Projects*?

Project 1:?Advertising Campaign – ‘It’s a Sell Out!’?

Project 2: Film Poster Redesign – ‘Roll Cameras!’?

Project 3: Book Cover Reinterpretation - ‘Read Me…’?

Project 4: University Research & Application?

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends.

Skills Developed In Unit 3

Page/Layout Design, Photography & Image Manipulation, Scaling & Reduction, Typography, Colour Theory, Drawing & Mark Making, Template Management, Practical & Digital Cross-Over Manipulations.

Adobe Creative Suite:?

Photoshop: masks, layers, clone tools, cutting and selecting images, file size reduction and saving methods.

InDesign: page setups, grids, columns, margins, text and image manipulations/placements, spread design and PDF saving/ exporting methods.

Unit 4: Consolidating Practice?

This unit aims to provide you with an opportunity to take control of your own learning and demonstrate your creative talent by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its final outcome.

Skills Developed In Unit 4?

By this stage in the course, it is expected that you will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake your devised project with confidence, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and supported where possible. You may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department.?

SUBJECTS

Students enjoy weekly sessions in the following subjects:

Contextual and Thematic Studies

This class is designed to spark ideas and get you inspired. Sessions might start with a dynamic talk, visual presentation, or group discussion, followed by hands-on creative tasks, written work or short activities.

Here you are introduced to a diverse range of artists, designers, brands, concepts and ideas linked to different cultures, genres, and time periods. These sessions are intended to broaden your knowledge, skills and understanding of wider contexts within Art and Design and provide you with research opportunities and reference materials to support the development of your own practical skills and creative ideas.?

Art & Design Workshops and Practical Sessions

Art and Design workshops at 最新麻豆视频 are energetic, hands-on and designed to push your creativity in new directions. You’ll experiment with a wide range of materials and processes, building strong practical and technical skills that feed directly into an exciting, original portfolio. There’s a real focus on taking creative risks, testing ideas, embracing mistakes and making unexpected discoveries along the way.

You’ll develop a broad and adaptable skill set that reflects the versatility needed in today’s creative industries. Alongside specialist workshops, you’ll also have dedicated studio time to focus on your own projects, giving you the freedom to explore your ideas and shape your individual creative voice.

Reflective Studies

These weekly sessions give you the chance to consolidate your learning, track your progress, and reflect on your creative journey. With guidance from your tutors, you will build valuable skills in managing your projects, from self-evaluation and critical thinking to improving your written communication, presentation and organisation.

You’ll develop a strong, well-documented learning journal that captures your ideas and growth. The sessions also include one-to-one tutorials, individual presentations, peer feedback and group critiques to help you grow in confidence and learn how to talk about your work like a creative professional.

Experimental Studies

All students take part in two hours of Experimental Studies each week, dynamic sessions designed to push your creativity beyond your comfort zone. You’ll experiment with a wide range of media and processes, embracing risk-taking, play and discovery as part of your creative development. The work you produce contributes directly to your unit assessments, making these sessions both exploratory and impactful.

Experimental Studies also open the door to incredible real-world opportunities. Students have exhibited their work publicly at the 最新麻豆视频 Festival, collaborating with researchers, students and faculty at the University of 最新麻豆视频. Work has been showcased in inspiring venues such as St Catharine’s College, The Whipple Museum and The Museum of Zoology, giving you the chance to share your ideas with a wider audience and experience what it’s like to be part of the professional creative world.

Personal Tutor Time

You’ll have a dedicated session each week with your personal tutor, giving you consistent support and guidance throughout your course. In the first term, the focus is on exploring your progression options and preparing for university applications, with plenty of time for research and one-to-one support.

As you move towards your final unit, the emphasis shifts to strengthening your study skills and preparing for your Project Proposal and final major project, helping you stay focused, organised and ready to produce your best work.

Portfolio Skills

This weekly class in the first term is designed to help you build a strong, professional portfolio for your university applications. You’ll learn how to use Adobe Creative Suite to present your work effectively, while developing a clear understanding of what makes a portfolio stand out. The course explores different portfolio formats and expectations, helping you tailor your work to suit specific universities and Fine Art & Photography related courses.

With guidance from specialist tutors who are experienced in their fields, you’ll receive expert advice on how to select, refine and present your work to its full potential. You’ll be supported in shaping a portfolio that reflects your individual creative voice while meeting the requirements of your chosen institutions. Your Fine Art & Photography tutor will oversee your final submission, ensuring you feel confident and fully prepared without the need for additional portfolio classes outside of 最新麻豆视频.

English Classes (if required)

For international students who have an IELTS with any element 5.5 or lower, English classes are timetabled to aid progression to university. Through a variety of teaching styles, we focus on four key skills you need to pass your IELTS exam; listening, reading, writing and spoken English. This subject is linked with Art and Design, so you are better equipped with the vocabulary to analyse and reflect upon your own and others’ work.

Assessments

Units 1, and 2 or 3 can only attain a Pass or Fail. All units need to be passed to gain the Foundation Diploma at the end of the year.?

Only Unit 4 will be graded Pass, Merit, Distinction or Fail. This grade will determine the grade given for the Foundation Diploma overall. To help you understand the level you are working at, submissions for Units 1 and 2 or 3 will be given a referral, satisfactory pass, good pass or excellent pass with written comments to identify specific areas of strength and weakness relating to the assessment criteria. This will help you understand the level you are working at and make progress towards the higher grades in Unit 4.??

Ongoing and Informal Assessment:?

Every week, your learning journal will be checked by your tutor and feedback given to guide learning, improvements and identify gaps to support progress. Throughout workshops and practical sessions, tutors will circulate and provide verbal feedback on work in progress. Questioning individuals and groups is an important part of assessing students’ understanding and helps tutors to modify activities to better suit the needs of individuals and the whole group.?

Self-Assessment:?

Students should use checklists issued for each project to help organisation and manage coursework for submission, ensuring that all assessment criteria are covered. Weekly written reflections will help to identify understanding and personal areas of strength and weakness and will be key to the dialogue between student and tutor. Peer reviews and group discussions will also aid self-review and provide the group with peer support and exemplars to better understand the standards. Prior to formal assessments, you will need to complete your own self-assessment against the assessment criteria.?

Formal Assessments:?

There will be a formative assessment usually halfway through each Unit. Work to date will be submitted electronically through Canvas, our online learning platform. Here the progress you have made so far will be formally assessed against the assessment objectives. Work will be given a referral if it does not yet meet the standards for pass. ?All assessment criteria must receive at least a pass to attain a pass overall. Similarly, to attain a Merit or Distinction in Unit 4, all assessment criteria much reach that level. You will receive comments to identify specific areas of strength and weakness relating to the assessment criteria. Following formative assessments, improvements can be made to projects prior to the summative assessment.?

Summative Assessment:

The summative assessment at the end of a unit follows the same format as the formative assessment. Any student who receives a referral in the summative assessment will be given a week to complete the necessary work required to achieve a pass level. An individual action plan will be provided with listed evidence to submit/resubmit.