Academic IELTS of 6.0, with no element below 5.5.
All application forms and personal statements will be read and considered and selected candidates invited for an interview. We are looking for creative, critical and ambitious students.
The Course Leader would like to see evidence of your creative practice and/or evidence of your interest in creativity - this can be your instagram, Youtube channel, TikTok etc as well as a more traditional portfolio. You can include drawings, photographs, comics, animation, videos, graphics, storyboards, prototypes etc - think about how you can demonstrate your creativity / interest in creativity for this course.
We are keen to encourage students from a diverse range of backgrounds. Mature students and those with non-standard qualifications are welcome to apply and will be given the opportunity to meet with the course team to explore suitability and expectations.
We are also looking for potential and applicants who do not meet the formal entry criteria may be considered if the course team judges the application demonstrates additional strengths or alternative evidence, for example related academic or work experience, the quality of the personal statement, a portfolio of practical work, a strong academic or professional reference, or a combination of these.
This course prepares you for a career in art direction in the creative industries. You will develop practical, conceptual and analytical skills in visual communication to create effective advertising and visual identities for organisations and projects.
You will learn to visualise, collaborate, experiment and project manage as you work on real-world projects with other students and industry professionals. You will also develop your knowledge of the creative industries, exploring topics such as design thinking, branding and strategy for creative organisations. You will have creative freedom and be encouraged to undertake non-commercial creative projects.
You'll also have lots of opportunities to work on live projects with creative companies and institutions, as well as being able to work with your classmates in our student-powered creative agency,
Throughout the course you'll also develop the commercial and organisational skills and understanding needed to work effectively in the creative and cultural sector.
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What you will study
This Art Direction degree develops visual communication skills and enhances your creative judgement. You will manage creative projects and learn how to deliver the visual language of an organisation or client's advertising or content needs. Through a combination of in-house and live briefs you will discover your creative self and your future role in industry.
Year 1
Year 1 is common to all our creative and cultural industries courses. You will explore visual communication techniques, use of design software, storytelling and design thinking. You will learn individually and as part of a team of creative partners and professionals. You will examine the management and strategy of creative enterprises, and the history and development of art and design practice.
Core modules
Visual Narratives & Design Thinking: Creating compelling stories, creative problem solving
History & Context of the Creative Industries: Content, critique & competition
Year 2
Year 2 examines art direction in depth. The modules and projects will develop your skills and understanding of what art direction brings to creative enterprises. This will include interpreting briefs and transforming the ideas of a company into a coherent visual identity to communicate with key audiences.
You will study conceptualisation and visualisation, visual narratives and storyboarding, artwork commission, branding, entrepreneurship, managing risk, project management and strategy.
You can choose to apply for a summer internship at the end of Year 2 to gain valuable experience and increase your employability.
Core modules
Art Direction
Customer Mindfulness
Creative Project Management
Live case study
Year 3
Year 3 examines art direction in depth.
You will study cultural entrepreneurship and explore ways of building a sustainable independent career. You will further your knowledge and skills around art direction
The major project in your final year will be a visual project, business or marketing plan, or consultancy project for a company.
You will research and identify a current challenge around art direction and provide visual communication solutions that are tailored for the chosen audience. You will be challenged and guided by your supervisors to achieve your potential.
Core modules
Art Direction 2
Culturepreneurship
The Major Project
This degree prepares you for a career in art direction and advertising in creative enterprises such as fashion and media. Once you graduate, you will be ready to apply your commercial expertise to the creative industries, combining your understanding of art design and knowledge of commercial practices.
Insurance - Single: 300 (£) per year
