One of the biggest worries as someone who didn’t initially have any experience in the design industry was taking on a designer role in the working world and not being able to adapt. Having the option to take on a placement year was one of the best decisions I made as it gave me the realisation that graphic design was the industry I wanted to specialise in. It also allowed me to appreciate the course’s structure around independent working, as it helped me adapt very quickly and manage my workload in the working world.
Our final year module was tailored around the prestigious D&AD awards. This gave me an extra boost of motivation with strong support from our knowledgeable tutors (shoutout Richard, Andy and Simon!) to maximise the skills learnt across the first three years to deliver a high quality outcome that defines the quality of design work that I produce for Livi today.
To anyone considering studying this course, I would say the Graphic Design degree is a very expansive course that enables you to explore a variety of mediums, so go into it with an open mind and with flexibility to learn and make the most of all forms of design. It can be a very coursework heavy degree so don’t be afraid to make the most of tutor support and connect with other creatives as much as possible to ensure you are not alone in generating creative ideas. As it is a very varied course, there will be peers with different skill sets and specialisms, so network with others as it’s always fun to learn from them, and will benefit you even when taking those steps into the working world!
*Formerly named Graphic Communication and Illustration BA