COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Design (Illustration) program is a one-year, three-trimester course designed to develop creative, technical, and professional expertise in illustration and related design practices. In the first trimester, students are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, and respond to diverse instructions, using primary and secondary research to inform their practical work. This stage introduces key issues in design and communication, fostering critical thinking, professional skills, and collaborative practice while laying the groundwork for individual project development. The second trimester focuses on consolidating learning and narrowing the focus within the chosen pathway. Students refine conceptual, technical, aesthetic, and contextual aspects of their projects with guidance from academic staff and technical specialists, while considering audience engagement and the functionality of their work. The final trimester is dedicated to the self-directed Master’s Project, a double-weighted module culminating in the MA Show exhibition at the Locksbrook Campus. Students work independently in the studio to produce a coherent body of work that demonstrates advanced knowledge, creative skill, and professional practice. Modules such as Research Methods, Theory and Professional Context, Practice 1 and 2, and Research Practice support the integration of theory and practice. The program equips graduates with professional confidence, creative expertise, and the skills necessary to succeed in illustration and the wider creative industries.