On the BA Graphic Design Communication at Chelsea, expect to stimulate your passion for generating high-octane ideas and develop the digital and technical skills needed to create innovative, directional concepts.

We place an emphasis on setting live projects, in collaboration with youth-oriented brands and markets. We also provide you with a comprehensive grounding in the key principles of graphic design and critical awareness.

You’ll have the opportunity to work in design for print, moving image and digital media. In your first year, you’ll examine the wide-ranging aspects of the graphic design process and contemporary communication. And you’ll work on an exciting series of concept-driven projects with industry professionals. It will mean responding with analogue and digital practice, and using a range of media, all combining to inform your skillset ready for the second year.

In this next year, concepts will be positioned within a wide range of underlying contexts. And in your final year, you’ll underpin your practice with theory, strengthening the link between concept, client and audience. It’s also an opportunity to build a portfolio combining creative innovation with design excellence.

Key Facts

Exclusive commissions and a professional lecture series will expose you to the international design industry, allowing you to network, build vital contacts and gain crucial experience.

Recent live collaborators include: Hedkandi, Ministry of Sound, Twin magazine, Elle Collections, Paul’s Boutique, Channel 4, Momiji, Graphic Thought Facility, Umbro, Eye Magazine Sony Bravia, Pride London, Six Creative, the BBC, Wonderland magazine, Nokia, London 2012, Nike, Adidas, MTV, Somerset House, New London Press, Alexander McQueen and SHOWstudio.

Distinctive features of the course:

The Graphic Design Communication course explores a broad range of contemporary practice. It is primarily concerned with communicated design, underpinned by contextual theory and analysis associated with still and moving image, resulting in high levels of production excellence.

Professional context is derived from interaction with exclusive live projects and collaborations, diverse visiting tutors, a professional speaker programme and participation in national design award schemes.

Design practice works consistently with the theory programme to develop individual critical perspectives on the critical language of communication design.

The course will enable you to:

Develop knowledge of high levels of creativity across diverse disciplines within graphic media and digital media. Achieve successful employment in an increasingly expanding professional context or secure progression onto postgraduate study.

Students are invited to choose and follow their own path throughout their course of study, and are encouraged to integrate theoretical studies to inform and enrich personal practice.

Our strong links with industry are evidenced by the opportunity for students to engage in work-based learning experience and exclusive live projects, many of which lead to the offer of graduate employment.

Graduates are also supported in application onto leading postgraduate courses.

Year 1

A common studio based year for examining the design process and critically exploring contemporary design communication in all its diversity.

You will be supported in your understanding of how to approach design by experimental workshops in hand generated mark-making and print; this, alongside digital and multimedia design, will develop your interests and choices, increase your skills and, by the end of the year, begin to focus your direction.

Throughout this communal year you will be working both as an individual and in teams.

A range of field trips are made to a number of professional institutions as well as selected participation in national design competitions.

Year 2

This year draws parallels between your creativity and the professional sector, focusing your interests, choices and direction with the world of practice. This strong emphasis on professional related learning practices encourages students to work both individually and in teams.

You gain practical experience through a range of multidisciplinary, live briefs and experimental workshops introduced by clients and practitioners across a range of specialisms within contemporary design communication.

There are also opportunities for a professional placement with studios and agencies at industry's cutting edge or European and international exchanges.

Year 3

This final year focuses on participation in live projects, design competitions and national award schemes.

Collaborations with leaders in the design communication field give a sound understanding of the links between technology and the user, between creativity and the professional sector, and between theory and practice.

Innovation and self-direction combined with design excellence drive your focused, contemporary, contextual and highly individual portfolio.

At Chelsea we are committed to supporting students in developing personal and professional development skills; those skills that are necessary for future study or employment.

We support all of our students’ ability to take responsibility for their work, learning and professional development. These skills are not assessed separately, but integrated into the teaching itself.

Our links with industry provide our students with opportunities to engage in work-based learning, often leading to job offers on graduation.

Many of our former students are designers, art directors and moving image specialists. Their employers include Why Not Associates, Fitch & Co, Six Creative, Elle magazine, Angel Interactive, Browns Design, MTV, Channel 4, Penguin Publishing, Ministry of Sound, Wonderland magazine and BBC Publishing.

Some of our graduates progress to postgraduate study, including the MA Graphic Design Communication at Chelsea.

Alumni:

• Will Samuel
• Jack Featherstone
• Arran Gregory
• Joe Joiner

Entry Requirements

Foundation Diploma in Art & Design plus 1 GCE A-level plus 3 GCSEs grade C or above
Or
BTEC National Diploma or NVQ Level 3 plus 3 GCSEs grade C or above

Applicants whose first language is not English must show proof of IELTS level 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills. All information regarding acceptable tests, scores and exemptions from testing can be found here: http://www.arts.ac.uk/international/apply/englishlanguagerequirements/

International Applicants

We welcome applications from international students and will be pleased to help with the application process. To receive advice and help with your application you are invited to contact one of the University's local representatives in your own country or one of our International Student Advisors in London.
www.chelsea.arts.ac.uk/international

Study Abroad Applicants

This course accepts a limited number of Study Abroad students (international students who would like to spend one, two or three terms studying alongside our undergraduates, as part of their course at their home university). To find out further information about Study Abroad fees and the application process please visit the CCW Study Abroad pages. 

What We Look For

• A concise portfolio indicating self-censorship and critical ability.
• Use of words, type and image, realized in a variety of media and formats.
• Work that demonstrates enthusiasm within the context of a personal agenda.
• Evidence of an understanding of the broad range of the subject sensitivity within still and moving image.

Portfolios should include

• A range of examples of appropriate artworks - e.g. drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, video.
• Clear documentation of work that is too large to bring or otherwise unavailable.
• Self-initiated as well as project or course work.
• Evidence of research and development of ideas.
• Evidence of recent written work.

UK/EU Applicants

You need to apply through the UCAS online application system. You can complete your UCAS application from anywhere that has internet access.

You will be able to find Chelsea courses listed under University of the Arts London on the UCAS website. All Chelsea College of Art and Design UCAS Course Codes can be found on the course 'At a Glance' tab or on the UCAS website.

Our University code is UAL.

Our College Code is U65.

There is no 'Campus Code' for Chelsea College of Art and Design.

What happens next

All application forms, personal statements and references will be read and subject to meeting the entry requirements, you may then be invited to a portfolio review and interview. 

For further information about UCAS, or their application procedure, please contact them directly.

T: +44 (0)870 1122211
E: enq@ucas.ac.uk

For any other information please contact Chelsea College of Art and Design

T: +44 (0)20 7514 7751
E: info@chelsea.arts.ac.uk

International Applicants

Please visit the CCW International apply page for details.
or contact the CCW International Office.

T: +44 (0) 207 514 1852
E: ccwinternational@arts.ac.uk

Study Abroad Applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the CCW Study Abroad pages for details on how to apply or contact the Study Abroad office:

T: +44 (0) 207 514 2249
E: studyabroad@chelsea.arts.ac.uk