This is a two year HND course, which upon successful completion allows you to apply for a third ‘top-up’ year and convert into a BA (Hons) Degree.

This qualification is validated and awarded by the University of Kent.

This is a highly practical course which allows you to explore a range of traditional and digital materials and processes in order to develop your practice as a designer and visual communicator.

Through workshops and projects students will be encouraged to be experimental, express ideas and communicate information using a range of illustration and graphic design processes and tools for a range of design contexts and applications.

Students are expected to demonstrate a commitment to exploring creative and socially responsible design solutions whilst demonstrating a clear understanding of the relationship between client, designer and intended audience.

The course is structured to initially give you a broad skillset in year 1 before narrowing your practice into your specialist area of interest in year 2.

Contextual / Critical Studies will underpin your practical learning to ensure you are aware of contemporary practice and have the skills to critically analyse and evaluate your own work and the work of others.

Work based learning is central to the programme to ensure you have the opportunity to network with practising artists and designers, and work on live projects and gain industry work experience.

In year one your will study 6 modules at Level 4 totalling 120 credits:

• Visual Recording & Communication (15 credits)
  
  This module places a focus on observational drawing and experimental mark-making by introducing a wide range of media and techniques. Students will be encouraged to practise their visual research skills, sourcing and exploring appropriate materials and subjects as starting points for art and design work. Visual presentation techniques and methods will also form a part of this module.
  
  This module will be taught through practical workshops and assessment will be through a submission of a sketchbook / portfolio of practical experiments (70%) and a reflective journal (30%).
  
  
  
• Digital Applications (15 credits)
  
  This module introduces students to the use of digital technology in the production and application of creative imagery together with a basic understanding of theory to enable informed decisions to be made in respect of appropriate technology and technique.
  
  The module aims to develop skills in a range of creative software through the creation of an experimental portfolio of digital art and design work.
  
  This module will be taught through practical workshops and assessment will be through a submission of a digital portfolio of practical experiments (70%) and a reflective journal (30%).
  
  
  
• Contextual Research & Referencing (15 credits)
  
  This module provides an introduction to the history and theory of art & design. The early phase of the unit includes lectures and seminars on aspects of the historical and contemporary practices of art and design. A strong emphasis is placed upon consideration of contextual influences including social, cultural, economic and material factors. As the module progresses, learners will choose a specialist area of study within their specialist degree pathway to research and examine in greater depth.
  
  Another purpose of the module is to establish the importance of good research habits and organisation skills. It also introduces students to the principles and practice of referencing academic work.
  
  This module is taught through lectures and seminars and is assessed through the production of an essay (60%), and a presentation evaluating the research undertaken and how it enabled students to reach conclusions (40%).
  
  
  
• Work Based Learning: Professional Engagement (15 credits)
  
  Through a programme of visiting industry professionals providing lectures or workshops you will have the opportunity to discuss and explore the realities of employment opportunities and expectations regarding professional practice within different aspects of the creative industries.
  
  In addition to the experiential learning from visiting professionals you will be required to research opportunities to progress, gain employment and access funding in your chosen area of specialist practice.
  
  This module will be assessed through the production of a report which summaries your research findings and your engagement with visiting industry professionals (50%).
  
  You will also be required to complete a reflective journal on your professional skills development, showing how you are responding to your research findings, establishing your identity as a creative practitioner, and developing the skills and attributes required for success as a practitioner in your chosen field. Your reflective journal should include links to any promotional activities you undertake and social media profiles (50%).
  
  
  
• Graphic Design and Typography (30 credits)
  
  This module will also introduce students to the traditions, current trends and future of typography, giving students the depth of knowledge, skill and critical judgement that allows greater understanding and creative freedom in their work. It will enable students to develop good working practice in the research, development and production of a design artefact. It will enable students to develop an idea beyond initial thoughts and demonstrate their ability to integrate practical skills with the knowledge and understanding developed in the ‘Visual Recording and Communication’ module.
  
  The module will be taught through practical workshops, seminars and 1:1 tutorials. It will be assessed by through the production of a portfolio of design work (70%) and a reflective journal (30%).
  
  
  
• Illustration (30 credits)
  
  This module will enable students to begin to develop both practical skills and critical awareness of illustration and its processes. The module is primarily an on-going process of recording actions and processes, supported by self-evaluation and reflection. This recording takes form in the collation of detailed research journals containing evidence of work-in-progress, drawings, mark-making, annotations, description of processes and techniques, etc., and records of how these exploratory findings impact upon students’ development as designers/illustrators.
  
  This module aims to develop your own unique style of image making. Students will consider not only the creation of images but the appropriateness of the image in relation to a genre, brief and audience and how images are going to work in relation to typography styling, page layout and book design.
  
  The module will be taught through a combination of practical workshops, seminars and 1:1 tutorials. Assessment will be through the generation of a portfolio of work (70%) and a reflective journal (30%).
  
  
  In year two you will study 4 modules which will provide you with a further 120 credits at Level 5:
  
  
  
• Graphic Design: Specialist Project (30 credits)
  
  This module will enable students to synthesise conceptual and technical skills gained during the programme to manage a self-initiated project in a chosen area of practice and produce a commercially viable practical solution. Students will choose tutors to work with on the basis of special interest, speciality-based expertise and theoretical sympathies.
  
  The module will be taught through a combination of practical workshops, seminars and 1:1 tutorials. Assessment will be through the generation of a project proposal (10%), an investigative portfolio of work & critical evaluation (60%) and a resolved portfolio of work (30%).
  
  
  
• Professional Practice and Work Based Placement (30 credits)
  
  This module involves developing a greater awareness and understanding of the commercial and professional creative industries. Students will begin this module during tutorials in the first year, when they will start to develop a reflective log reviewing, reflecting on and recording their own professional and personal skills. Students will research job opportunities and market information to support them in approaching relevant employers. Students will be expected to demonstrate initiative and independence in researching and securing placements to prepare them for this competitive field of work. Work-based placements will be a core requirement of this module. Within this context work-based placements can include working within a design / creative company, working on an employer set brief or project, or working with other professionals or clients on community / outreach projects, or site-specific exhibitions / design.
  
  This module will be taught through seminars, lectures and 1:1 tutorials and assessed through the production of a Professional Practice Report (40%), a reflective journal (40%), employers assessment feedback (10%) and a presentation on placement (10%).
  
  
  
• Critical Studies (30 credits)
  
  Critical Studies builds on the progress made in the ‘Contextual Research and Referencing’ module in Stage 1. Students are encouraged to build on an area of research interest, taking into account developments to inform their own practice and increase their levels of criticality and understanding of the wider context of contemporary art and design. Students will begin to consider topics and debates in contemporary art and design, and explore their interests in a presentation and an academic piece of writing. Students will develop and apply the skills of analysis, evaluation and critical thinking, both orally and in writing, in relation to their specialist field of practice and their subject of interest.
  
  This module is taught through lectures, seminars and 1:1 tutorials, and is assessed through the completion of an essay (60%) and presentation (40%).
  
  
  
• Exhibition and Professional Portfolio (30 credits)
  
  This module requires students to provide evidence of a portfolio of creative work presented in an appropriate way for the field in which they intend to progress. Students are encouraged to collaborate with students on other pathways to ensure portfolios are of a professional standard.
  
  Students will work collaboratively and as part of a team and be assessed on their planning, organisation, marketing and execution of an exhibition as part of the Medway School of Arts End of Year Show.
  
  This module continues to develop work-based learning through the development of understanding how artists and designers promote their own practice through exhibition.
  
  This module is taught through a combination of seminars, group tutorials and 1:1 tutorials.
  
  Assessment is through Final Exhibition (45%), a portfolio of work with critical analysis (45%) and a reflective journal (10%).