This graphic design course focuses mainly on commercial outcomes and equips you with the skills to think, challenge conventional ideas, explore and experiment with creative ideas and to design in a way that maximises the impact of your communication. Your design work will excite, challenge and persuade target audiences. The work will be varied and will involve designing anything from corporate graphics, logos and marks, branding and corporate identity, brochures, annual reports, promotional items, web, mobile apps, packaging, typography, layout design, advertising and many other graphic outcomes. There will be an opportunity to study abroad at one of our many partner institutions around the world in the second year of the course, as well as trips to important design galleries and conferences. Past trips have included New York, London and Barcelona. Our graduates have gone on to work all over the globe in graphic design, editorial, infographics, motion graphics, advertising, web, packaging and interactive design. This creative degree can also open doors into many other careers or further study to Masters or Doctorate level. Staff who teach on this course are themselves practicing professionals at the cutting edge of their field and they bring their industry insights and experience directly into the teaching. At the last Government assessment of research across all UK Universities, Design at Sunderland was ranked 'World Leading' in a range of areas. We have fantastic facilities, award winning staff and students and a focus on employability and cutting edge professional skills. If you have the motivation and commitment to succeed in the professional world of design, this course is for you.

Our graduates have gone on to work in the creative industries of publishing, design consultancies and advertising design. Some graduates prefer self-employment. Other options include postgraduate study and teaching. Throughout the course, and particularly on modules such as ‘Studio Practice’, you will receive valuable advice on a variety of work-related topics. These range from costing, cash flow and business plans to going freelance, self promotion and copyright issues. You will develop a Professional Engagement Document. This highlights all your self-development activities and engagement with industry, as well as other factors that give you an edge compared to other graduates. Real-world experience: Our ‘Hothouse Studio’ is a graphic design studio within the Design Centre that takes on real-life projects for a variety of clients. Students work on the projects with professional and academic support from staff. It’s a great way to nurture your professionalism and entrepreneurship so that you’re well-prepared for the workplace. We encourage you to participate in competitions and award schemes including those run by the Design and Art Directors Association (of which we are a corporate member). Such competitions are part of building up a compelling creative portfolio. In addition, our academic team organizes visits to arts venues across the UK and in cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam and New York.