Course summary
Push the boundaries of graphic design. With the emergence of new technologies in the field of graphic design, a changing business landscape and pressing economic, social and environmental challenges, the industry is calling for brave and original creatives to make bold new strides with their work. Throughout this online Graphic Design master’s course, you will explore design on an international scale, applying academic and research practices to your own work. Drawing from Falmouth’s renowned history of design education, you will be supported by industry-active designers to challenge your capabilities and hone your unique creative perspective through a richer, global understanding. Joining a diverse online community of fellow creatives, you will master new skills, learn to critically engage with the world around you, and help shape the future of the industry. Whether your ambitions lie in forging your own business, working in a studio or joining a research environment, you will be encouraged to unpack your ethos as a designer, orientating your work in relation to the complex socio-political and environmental issues that define our time. Why study this course at Falmouth?
- Join a culturally and geographically diverse learning environment, networking and debating graphic design practices with the flexibility to study from your own location
- Work on industry-set briefs, sharpen your research skills and contribute to the future of graphic design practice
- Acquire and embed the skills needed to develop your graphic design career or business venture
- Have the chance to attend optional in-person events, such as course trips to international design studios
Modules
The modules have been specifically designed to be studied in a non-linear order, with the order in which you’ll study the modules depending on when you begin the course. You will need to complete four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. Modules: Contemporary Practice (30 credits) In this module, you will be introduced to the development of graphic design today and the variety of contexts in which it is made and understood. As with the central ethos of the course, you will seek to examine local and global perspectives of the subject and the emergent skills required to address problems and deliver messages for both regional and global audiences. The module seeks to establish the fundamental essence of being a contemporary graphic designer and the ability to use curiosity, risk, play and care in the delivery of a message. History and Futures (30 credits) In this module you will explore how graphic design can be used to distil, reform or remodel stories for a new purpose. You will develop an in-depth critical and contextual understanding of your own practice and examine key obstacles and challenges facing the subject. This module also questions the role that designers must play in society and the communities that we inhabit. Studio and Entrepreneurship (30 credits) In this module we examine the building blocks of studio practice from a business perspective. Exploring the day-to-day aspects of studio life, you will reflect on innovative ways to collaborate with creative partners around the world. You will do this through engaging with specific design studio case studies and develop a speculative framework for an entrepreneurial concept, envisaging professional ways in which this could be launched and put into action. Application and Interactions (30 credits) This module allows for a scoping of interests and challenges you to question the role and ethics of working as a contemporary designer. Working on both personal and highly strategic live briefs, you will engage with self-initiated work, competitions and industry projects; the latter being collated from client-set opportunities. These briefs will enable you to respond to new challenges beyond your normal field of experience and push you to work outside of your comfort zone. Final Major Project (60 credits) Your Final Major Project will bring all your previous learning together and challenge you to position yourself and your work for next steps following graduation. Project work can develop from several perspectives: being research or theory led (for further research study at PhD level) or personally or professionally orientated (for independent or studio practice). As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.
Assessment method
All assessments are through online submission. Assignments on MA Graphic Design (Online) can typically include: Practice-based assignments, for example designing a digital tool or process to aid collaboration Research-based assignments, for example reflecting on a cultural narrative (either historical or contemporary) which has received only limited critical attention. Work-based assignments that are grounded in your existing practice, where you apply tools such as storytelling or market research.
Entry requirements
An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. If you'd like to discuss our entry requirements, speak to an advisor. You will need to submit a digital portfolio of your graphic design practice. This may include previous project work and your current work-in-progress. It can take the form of a link to your blog or website and/or be presented as an interactive PDF. This will help the academic team assess your suitability for the MA Graphic Design.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Falmouth University
Woodlane
Falmouth
TR11 4RH