This course encourages the exploration and understanding of the methods and processes at work in contemporary visual communication. It will further develop your personal practice and approach to the making of images. The course also provides a focus on individual research and inquiry and helps you to understand the significance of the wider cultural role of the visual designer and illustrator. In addition, it will introduce disciplinary and interdisciplinary models of thinking that will underpin your own focused study on the course.
Key features -The emphasis on problem finding, research methods and critical thinking is intended to enhance your long-term employment possibilities through an understanding of the changing global, technological and social context of illustration and design. -The course is taught by academics who are also practising illustrators, designers and researchers in design. This is supported by studio visits and visiting tutors from industry, live projects, competitions, lectures and workshops. -Core modules are studied with students from across the Design School's postgraduate community.
What will you study?
Project work will challenge you to develop and enhance your existing ways of working. You will explore the importance of research in underpinning your practice and will be encouraged to build your own visual language and ‘tools' in response to set briefs within each module. In the final stage of the course, you will propose and develop your independent major project. You will be taught by experienced academics and specialist tutors from industry who encourage you to develop your understanding of the relationship between words, pictures and their means of communication and transmission.
Assessment
Project work: visual research, written project report/summary, exhibition, and final major project.
Course structure
This specialist pathway of the Communication Design MA course is part of the School of Design's postgraduate programme. The structure – shared with students from Product & Furniture Design MA, Sustainable Design MA and Fashion MA – enables you to explore your individual specialist interests in illustration within an integrative learning environment that provides a comprehensive understanding of the value and role of interdisciplinary methods and ways of working. The influences and impact of thinking from other related design subjects on your own specialist study is an important aspect of the identity and the community of interdisciplinary practice at masters level in the School of Design.
This structure is designed to help progress and develop your independent learning, encouraging you to construct and explore projects concerned with areas of particular personal interests. The overarching course philosophy, based upon an emphasis on research, methodology and design thinking, allows individual and personal concerns to be explored through focused study in illustration and the creation of images.
The two shared modules of the School of Design's Postgraduate Framework both commence with a symposium, in which high-profile external speakers present their work and contribute to a debate on a topic of relevance to all courses in the Framework.
The greatest lessons I took away from this MA were lessons about myself as a designer and creative. It refined my processes and discipline when it came to tackling work and projects, and armed me with the ability to create my own methods of producing work. The fact that we are part of a framework from different design backgrounds was an advantage. We ended up learning from each other, as well as seeing things from different perspectives.
We have facilities, such as the 3D workshop and print making studio, that open up opportunities to try out things we wouldn't normally be able to in a professional context, and tutors that are supportive and encouraging, all without compromising our direction and vision. The more you put into your time at Kingston, the more you get out of it, the ideal preparation for the real world, whatever your goals.
Scholarships
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a good BA(Hons) degree or equivalent qualification in illustration or animation or a related subject, such as fine art, graphic design, photography, printmaking, fashion or textiles; A portfolio of work, must accompany your application.
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Recipient: Kingston University
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