BA (Hons) Level 6 Degree (Top-Up) Home Study

This module is designed to refine your skills and knowledge, and provide an understanding of the industry’s professional standards, preparing you for a successful career or further academic exploration. You will explore the diverse roles a graphic designer can play within various contexts, including B2B and B2C environments, as well as the strategies for aligning design work with both client objectives and end-user needs. Through in-depth study of complex client briefs, concept development, and research techniques, you’ll learn to craft innovative solutions that not only meet but exceed expectations. This module emphasises professional standards, encouraging you to produce work aligned with ethical, sustainable, and accessibility practices, as well as to uphold industry standards for quality and compliance. By the end, you will have developed the presentation and communication techniques essential for effectively conveying design concepts, enabling you to deliver visually compelling, client-focused work confidently and responsibly. .

This module is designed to help you deepen your knowledge of a specific research topic and develop independent research skills. Throughout the module, you’ll learn how to expertly find and apply essential research materials. You’ll gain a strong understanding of the key elements of structured research, including forming a research question, conducting a literature review, developing hypotheses, and analysing research findings. You’ll also explore different research methods—both quantitative and qualitative—and learn when and how to use techniques like content analysis, discourse analysis, and semiotics. Additionally, this module will support you in building effective time management skills to approach your research logically and systematically. You’ll also focus on enhancing your academic writing, ensuring that your work is well-structured, critically thought out, and supported by evidence, analysis, and visuals. Finally, you’ll develop the ability to reference properly and refine your academic writing style, helping you to produce high-quality, professional work. By the end of this module, you’ll be equipped with the research skills, methods, and writing techniques necessary to carry out and present effective independent research.

This module is designed to help students develop and refine the foundational skills needed to conceptualise and plan a substantial graphic design project. It focuses on guiding students through the early stages of project creation, from selecting a topic and conducting research to developing initial concepts and prototypes. Through this module, students will explore target audiences, market trends, and creative techniques, allowing them to generate innovative design solutions that align with their professional goals. Students will learn to approach design challenges with critical thinking and research-informed strategies, ensuring their work is both relevant and impactful. The module encourages students to experiment with tools, materials, and methods, while also teaching them to successfully manage project timelines and deliverables. Additionally, students will begin creating a professional portfolio, tailored to their specific design specialism, showcasing the progress and outcomes of their work. Collaboration with peers and tutors, as well as constructive feedback, will play a key role in refining ideas and ensuring professional standards are met. By the end of the module, students will be equipped with the confidence and skills to move into the implementation phase of their major project, having laid a solid foundation for a creative, well-researched, and professionally viable design solution.

The Major Project Implementation module focuses on bringing your creative ideas to life by guiding you through the final stages of executing your major graphic design project. Building on the foundations laid in the ideation and development phase, this module will help you refine your design solutions, conduct user testing, and make technical adjustments to produce professional-quality outcomes. You will learn how to manage the complexities of project execution, including production planning, quality control, and collaboration with industry professionals or interdisciplinary teams. This module is designed to enhance your ability to deliver a final project that meets industry standards, demonstrating your technical proficiency, creative vision, and professional practice. You will also develop the skills to critically evaluate and reflect on your work, as well as handling feedback and assessing your design decisions within the context of client and audience expectations. Through the creation of a curated portfolio and a final presentation, you will communicate your project outcomes to a range of audiences, showcasing your ability to handle all aspects of a professional design process. By the end of the module, you will have gained the confidence and expertise to implement complex design projects and present them to stakeholders, ensuring you are fully prepared for the professional demands of the graphic design industry.