Develop your understanding of graphic design and visual communication, solve challenging design briefs and prepare for a career as a designer with our BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree.
Visual reworking of William Blake’s poem features letterpress artworks by 66 ARU students across four cohorts.
New book showcases Blake like never beforeAlumnus Blessing talks about how the course helped her prepare for work in the industry, and the inspiration she drew from studying in Cambridge.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Blessing RaimiStudent Connie talks about her major project, designing and producing a magazine to publicise small businesses in Kenya.
ARU Spotlight Podcast: Connie EsavwaBA (Hons) Graphic Design student Ella talks about her experiences on the course.
For her Degree Show, Graphic Design student Poppy created a picturebook for the blind "Nothing, but the beginning", a story about the creation of the Universe.
Timelapse of a material typography project exploring modern aphorisms, by final-year Graphic Design student Emily.
Designs for the Penguin Random House Student Design Award
2020
Statera health fitness app interface icons 2020
Kinetic type for motion graphic installation and exhibition 2020
Experimental designs for Apple Techcare 2020
Health and well-being app interface and graphics 2020
2020
Elitsa used visual communication to explore the emotional experiences of those suffering from poor mental health
Fionn explored forgotten words, particularly those relating to the natural world
Risograph-printed cover for ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’. Designed and shortlisted for the Penguin Student Design Award
Lauren investigated new revenue streams for theatres, and proposed a series of souvenir posters for Cambridge Arts Theatre
Three submissions for the first-year ‘Image and Imagination project'
An enigmatic submission to the Penguin Student Design Awards
Creating using handmade, environmentally friendly plant-based inks (2019)
2019
Project exploring ADHD through graphic arts and printmaking - 2019
Oversized magazine exploring the culture and history of henna - 2019
Using the poems of Ted Hughes to investigate tactile typography
Brand identity for Rex Factor, a podcast about the history of the monarchy
Kobi-Serif, a font based on the Kobigraph writing system used for teaching braille
From a series of prints exploring anxiety through text and image
Book cover designs for 'The Cultural Concepts Series'
Illustrated book exploring the challenges of thinking in two languages
Contemporary interactive illuminated manuscripts
Project exploring local cultures
For the Cambridge School of Art Degree Show, '...' - 2018
Book and editorial for a collection of Japanese philosophical concepts (2020)
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With its vibrant studio culture, our Graphic Design degree will encourage you to push boundaries and challenge existing thinking by developing innovative design solutions as well as a keen understanding of professional practice. You’ll experiment with print-based design as well as digital commercial practices including site-specific, interactive, motion graphics, mobile media, app design (UX/UI), web and multimedia work.
"Studying at ARU has been a fundamental part of my journey in providing guidance, support, and a well-rounded skill set."
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As a Graphic Design student at ARU, you’ll have access to all our facilities including:
Our new digital workshop includes a variety of computer aided manufacturing machines, helping you learn up to date manufacturing and design processes as well as supporting many traditional techniques. These technologies include:
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us.
Meanwhile, Present is an exhibition that you curate for yourself. Explore the work of our graduating students in this eye-catching virtual degree show.
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The creative industries are booming in the UK, employing more than two million people. Our BA (Hons) Graphic Design will prepare you for a career as a graphic designer, as well as for design-related roles in digital graphics, online media, communications and marketing, publishing, and advertising.
Our previous students have gone on to work with design studios or media and communication companies, producing advertising, corporate identities and promotions, packaging and branding, informational design, editorial and book design, web designs and interactive media.
You’ll have many opportunities to generate a strong portfolio of graphic design projects that will help you secure a job in this rewarding, vibrant and growing industry. These include getting involved with regional design agencies and national design networks such as D&AD and YCN, engaging in ‘live’ projects or commercial briefs and building your industry contacts. All of these can lead to freelance projects, work experience and internships, which could result in offers of work before you even graduate.
Cambridge is the perfect place to gain experience – a creative hotspot that’s home to thousands of established businesses and start-ups. Our students have gone on to work alongside the likes of Drench, Filofax, Nash Matthews, Onespacemedia, Coast Digital, Workshop Creative Agency and Piranha Designs.
There are plenty of opportunities to get your work seen, too. At the end of your final year at ARU, you’ll take part in our Degree Show and could be selected to produce publicity materials for the event – the perfect launchpad for life as a graphic designer.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our renowned MA Graphic Design & Typography. With our Alumni Scholarship, you’ll even get 20% off your fees as an ARU graduate.
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
"I used my final project to design and produce a catalogue of small businesses in Kenya."
CONNIE ESAVWABA (Hons) Graphic Design student
Listen to Connie on the ARU Spotlight podcastDo you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.
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