BA (Hons) Creative Direction

On this course, you'll be introduced to design thinking, learn to encourage problem-solving by learning about the freedom of ideas. You'll learn innovative brainstorm techniques, capturing even the smallest of ideas that'll nurture and grow into solutions that have impact. You'll learn to listen, placing people at the very heart of design projects; being empathetic and responding to client needs and aspirations.

You'll discover industry and consumer insights that lead to the development of innovate solutions to problems. You'll also gain confidence in the idea generation process, learning to trust your own judgement, your design team and to know your customers and users; becoming adept at managing projects, people, and resources to deliver on time and on budget, surpassing expectations at every stage of the process.

There'll be opportunities to engage in a range of hands-on projects, collaborative exercises, and industry simulations, applying learning in real-world contexts. You'll also have the opportunity to work with industry professionals, agencies, and clients, gaining valuable insights and building a professional network.

It's the blend of real-world experience, project management and design skill that makes BA (Hons) Creative Direction unique. At AUB, we're a creative community that represents the industry as a university-wide team. This course places you at the very heart it as you learn to express yourself, design, develop and deliver as a Creative Director.

All undergraduate courses at AUB offer an optional placement year, to be taken between your second and third years of study.

If you’re unsure about this optional placement, you don’t need to decide now. Once you’re here and studying with us, the course team will discuss the placement options with you, so when the time comes, you can make a decision that’s right for you.

Forming small production teams with support from course tutors and the technical team, you'll learn to design and deliver creative projects; delivering your first project during the first term of the first year of the course.

With guest lectures from specialist speakers, you're introduced to different sectors of the creative industries and the way they operate. We'll also take some time to research and understand the potential impacts of creative work on the environment and the communities and stakeholders that engage with it. Finally, student-led creative projects will be delivered to an external audience during the summer term.

In the second year of the course, you'll progress to more specialist study, building on experience gained during the first year. Creative projects will provide an opportunity for you to work with an external client, designing a solution that responds to their needs. You'll also acquire strong research skills, developing their insights into industry and learning how to pitch for investment for a new creative enterprise.

During second year, you can choose between undertaking a six-week work placement during the final term or spending a whole year on placement before returning to complete your studies. This allows you to put your skills into practice, working within an industry setting.

In the third year, the focus is on independent learning, preparing you to transition into the world of work. Students can design a major creative project and pitch their idea to colleagues, stakeholders, and alumni. Working as part of a production team with funding from the course, support from tutors and the technical team, the culmination of learning will be to conceive and deliver a project that helps each student to stand out from the crowd and become a source of inspiration to those that'll follow them.

You can also choose between either working with an organisation from industry, researching their business to operate as a consultant and make recommendations for their future strategic planning; or researching a topic in depth and producing a dissertation that allows you to become an expert in your chosen field.

Our alumni from similar, previous courses have gone on to win great things:

• AEME Student Event of The Year 2022

Roles achieved by graduates of a similar course, which shares learning with this new course, include:

• Head of Operations at Designwerk
• Global People and Development Manager at Moving Brands
• Marketing Manager at Spotify
• Owner, Founder, Director, Jimmy’s Iced Coffee/Entrepreneur

Upon successful completion of the BA (Hons) Creative Direction course, you'll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to pursue a range of exciting career paths. Graduates typically go on to find opportunities as creative directors, art directors, brand strategists, advertising managers, marketing consultants, or digital content creators in a wide variety of sectors, including advertising agencies, design studios, marketing departments, media organisations, and as self-employed consultants.

The academic year is planned to include educational visits. During the year, at least one excursion to London or another UK cultural hub is available. Due to Bournemouth's proximity to London, excursions can easily be planned to London’s art galleries and museums to supplement academic work. Professional progress as practitioners depends on primary research; trips give you confidence, promote independence, and present opportunities for your future professional and personal development. Any additional trip fees are disclosed before the visit.

You'll be introduced to a range of industry experts over the course of your studies who'll deliver their view of the latest thinking in their field. This ensures that your studies reflect current best practice in industry. You'll also visit relevant professional organisations and creative businesses, and be provided with opportunities to network with practitioners who'll be useful contacts when you graduate.

Visiting tutors play a pivotal role in the BA (Hons) Creative Direction course, as they bring diverse perspectives and unique skill sets, enriching the learning experience and fostering a deeper understanding of the standards and expectations of the creative industries. Industry professionals provide invaluable insights into the creative industry, sharing their expertise and experiences. They conduct workshops, lectures, and participate in critiquing student work, offering constructive feedback from both an education and industry perspective. Their presence can also offer students the opportunity to network and learn about potential career paths, industry trends, and professional practices.