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Graphic Design Welcome Guide

Preparing for your course

We're delighted that you've chosen to join our creative community at Arts University Bournemouth. We can't wait to see what you'll create.

Welcome to BA (Hons) Graphic Design

This welcome pack is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during the first weeks of your course. Please take the time to read it carefully and take particular note of the pre-course preparation. We hope that you'll enjoy a happy and productive time with us, and we look forward to meeting you in October.

A message from your Course Leader

Welcome to BA (Hons) Graphic Design.

Please take the time to read this information. It gives you insight into what to expect during the first few weeks of your course, and some pre-course preparation. The team and I are excited by the prospect of working with you later this year.

During the first week, you'll be introduced to academic staff, Students’ Union, Student Services and various departments of the University who support you and your learning.

– Marion Morrison, Course Leader

Before you join us

Ask: what else can I do with this? Take a simple everyday item and challenge the assumption that it can only function in a certain way. Discover and imagine what else it could be used for.

Record your ideas (lots) as line drawings or photographs, group and save these as single page PDFs in a named folder.

How to submit your summer project

During the first week share your ideas with avella@aub.ac.uk. We'll collaborate to create a virtual wall of ideas in the studio and use this as a great opportunity to meet each other and share work.

Visit exhibitions, listen to TED Talks and podcasts, cook a nice meal, make some music, read a good book, spend some time daydreaming.

The Library at AUB is extremely well resourced and includes all key texts that you will need. The list below indicates the key texts that will be useful to read during your studies. All of these are available from our Library. Reading lists will be supplied in your course handbook and at the start of every unit.

  • Berger, J. (1972) Ways of Seeing, Penguin Books, London.
  • Dunne, A. and Raby, F. (2013) Speculate Everything. London. The MIT Press.
  • Data Flow 2 (2010) Visualising Information in Graphic Design. Berlin, Gestalten.
  • Fletcher, A. (2001) The Art of Looking Sideways, Phaidon, London.
  • Fry, T. (2008) Designing Futuring. Sustainability, Ethics, and New Practice. Berg.
  • Hara, K. (2010) Formations. Lars Muller Publishing.
  • Klein, N. (2018) No is Not Enough. London, Penguin.
  • Nobel, I. and Beistely, R. (2016) Visual Research. Research Methodologies in Graphic design. AVA London.
  • Rawsthorn, A. (2018) Design as Attitude. JRP Ringier, Zurich.
  • The Royal Society (2018) Portrayals and Perceptions of AI and Why They Matter. London.

Over the summer, check out these magazines:

  • Computer Arts
  • Creative Review
  • Wallpaper
  • Form

Current student work

Have a look through some of the work our current students are producing to get an idea of the type of work you may be making on our course.

What to bring on your first day

On your first day bring along:

  • Sketchbook and pens/pencils or laptop to take notes
  • Your ID and documents for face-to-face registration (see the "Next Steps" tab for more details)
  • Your Temporary ID card from your Welcome notebook inside cover if you have one

Digital capabilities

This course uses Apple computers.

You're encouraged to bring their own laptop and mobile device to AUB to support online learning, collaboration and communication whilst at university.

This course includes the use of Adobe Creative Cloud Suite software. We recommend a computer capable of running this.

Follow AUB Graphic Design on social media

Explore more

Overview

We’re looking forward to you welcoming you to BA (Hons) Graphic Design. See you in a few weeks!

Two university buildings with square shaped trees in front of them.

Next Steps

Find out the useful dates and contact before you start here.

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