The aim of this course was to develop critical graphic design practice that can respond to the rapidly shifting needs of society and commerce, through the making of meaningful ideas to bring about change. This practice is informed by global perspectives, cross-cultural collaboration, research and innovative design thinking that contributes to the shaping and disruption of culture and the future of the creative industries.
Alongside working full-time for two years 2020 – 2022, this course allowed me to collaborate with my course peers, tutors, and industry experts to gain experience through critical constructive feedback and further develop both my creative and professional skills. I have learnt how to fully develop comprehensive projects with effective research methods and as a result, been able to deliver well-considered design solutions. This course additionally provided the foundations for me to explore in depth a topic I feel passionate about: Sustainability. As a graphic designer I believe I am responsible for engaging in moral, ethical and sustainable practice on this planet. I want to ensure that companies I work with provide products and messages that are legitimate and honest. Being able to research sustainability in depth in all industries, not limited to the creative sector, has broadened my knowledge and understanding of the real world and modern ways of life.
Module 1: Contemporary Practice
This module introduced me to the development of graphic design today and the variety of contexts in which it is made and understood. As with the central ethos of the course, it examined local and global perspectives of the subject and the emergent skills required to address problems and deliver messages for both regional and global audiences.
Module 2: Application and Interactions
This module explored how graphic design interprets narrative, to distil, reform or remodel stories for a new purpose. It enabled me to develop an in-depth critical and contextual understanding of my practice and provide the opportunity to connect theory and practice (praxis), in conjunction with key themes and issues facing the subject and those who collaborate within it today. The role that design and the designer have to play in society began to be questioned, and the creative community and networks which are involved.
Module 3: Studio and Entrepreneurship
Following the study of emergent fields of practice within the first module, I examined some of the building blocks of studio practice from a business perspective. This gave me the fundamental constructs of managing the day-to-day aspects of studio life. I was able to reflect on innovative ways of working at distance and collaborating with partners around the world. I explored specific design studio case studies, structures and strategies for project work and received intellectual property guidance required to develop a creative service or product today. In the latter part of this module I developed an entrepreneurial idea that could be marketed and whilst personally or culturally inspired, the project is rooted firmly in a graphic design field.
Module 4: History and Futures
This module allowed me to engage with a variety of opportunities to apply my own practice and knowledge to specific graphic design projects. The briefs encouraged me to question the role and ethics of working as a designer today; how ideas can be applied and how respective audiences can be understood and reached. Throughout this module, I engaged with skills development pertinent to Sustainability. The module also introduced self-initiated projects, competitions and industry set briefs. These client-set briefs were drawn from global organisations that enable responses to challenges beyond my normal experience and share learning and differing international perspectives.
Module 5: MA Project
How can Eco-Collective facilitate graphic designers and manufacturers to transform the packaging industry, and build a sustainable community database in the UK?
5,000 word critical report research question (7,321 word total with Index, Bibliography and Appendix)
This module was where I constructed and developed my final MA project, which was built on learning from previous modules. Project work therefore developed from a number of perspectives, it was research driven, both personally and professionally orientated based on my areas of interest. This module was largely self-led, with phases of development to ensure the final project evolves with rigour and the depth of enquiry required to achieve the correct level of postgraduate attainment. On completing the research and development stages, I developed and refined my project work based on varied feedback from internal and external stakeholders. The final practice-based submission was delivered with a critical and contextual report, which outlines the key theory and research underpinning my project.
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