Communication Design MA

Program Overview

---

Communication Design MA

Course Overview

On this progressive, interdisciplinary programme, you'll develop your individual critical voice and practical skills in preparation for a range of careers in the creative industries.

You'll stay current by engaging with projects and insights supplied by leading global 'provocateurs' from design and the broader arts fields, including writers, scientists, artists, curators, and musicians. Through frequent industry-focused projects and guidance by expert tutors, you'll be equipped with the design capability and philosophical means to not only carve your path in a rapidly changing media world, but to challenge it from within.

Study at Falmouth:

• Be inspired by a purpose-built environment which mirrors leading contemporary design studios
• Have the opportunity to go on study trips and attend lectures by award-winning designers, practitioners, and agencies, which have included Lewis Moberly, Pentagram, Superunion, Trapped in Suburbia, Visual Editions, Wiedemann Lampe, and Wolfe Hall
• Develop interdisciplinary creative skills and a portfolio relevant to multiple sectors, including graphic, service, publication, exhibition, and UX design, branding, art direction, and copywriting
• Refine your research skills for in-depth, critical engagement with a given subject

Course Details

On this Communication Design MA course, you'll go on a progressive learning journey via three study blocks: Deconstruction, Reconstruction, and Reinvention.

This format allows you to unpack your existing skills and interests, and learn to answer complex communications problems by considering global issues and experimental approaches. You'll then explore new insights and build towards your final MA project.

Study Block One: Deconstruction

• Process: Drawing on global, experiential, and experimental insights, you'll examine different components of the design process, and how they can support and enhance your practice.
• Intersections: You'll explore sustainability, ethics, human interaction, and how design for social change can inspire new thinking.
• Boundaries: Drawing on critical design theory and catalysts, this Communication Design module allows for a more radical approach to creative practice - exploring the relationship between interdisciplinary research and making at the edges of contemporary design.

Study Block Two: Reconstruction

• Curate and build: You'll explore the increasing complexity of data in contemporary design problems - part of our evolving and accelerating consumer, technological, and cultural landscape - and learn how meaning can be curated and revealed.
• Compete: You'll engage in competitive projects set by external bodies and build professional skills relevant to your individual design development, such as publishing, presentations, funding, production, and intellectual property.

Study Block Three: Reinvention

• MA project: This module allows you to realise your final major project in a largely self-directed semester, bringing together practice, theory, and an evaluation phase at a key industry or cultural event.

How You'll Learn & Be Assessed

How You'll Learn

• Based in the vibrant studio culture of our multi-million pound School of Communication, you'll take on project work and competition briefs, and attend lectures and seminars from award-winning studios and professionals.
• Falmouth's network of alumni, and our reputation, connects us to many of the country's leading consultancies and agencies, providing insights and reflections on various cultures and models of practice.
• We run study visits to studios in London and potentially abroad, which may be arranged around conferences and design festivals like the Breda Graphic Design Festival in the Netherlands.
• Provocation is a continuous theme and a unique aspect to the course's design. Our annually selected provocateurs contribute through seminar sessions, critiques, lectures, and project work.

How You'll Be Assessed

• Assessment methods:
  • Individual project briefs
  • Competition briefs (e.g., D&AD New Blood, RSA Student Design Awards, YCN Awards)
  • Design research journal
  • Essay
  • Individual and group presentations
  • Critical review or business plan

Facilities

• Dedicated MA studio space
• Negotiated use of other facilities such as 3D printing, prototyping, film, photographic, textiles, and product design studios
• Digital printing facilities, Risograph machine, woodblock printing, and presses, workshop, and negotiated access to screen-printing studios
• Lecture theatres, design lab, break-out spaces, and meeting rooms
• Apple suite, with Adobe CS and full collection of Monotype typefaces
• Extensive library facilities and digital collections

Staff

You'll be guided and supported by tutors and industry professionals with decades of experience teaching and working for leading studios, international clients, and arts and cultural organisations.

• Lizzie Ridout: Senior Lecturer
• Bryan Clark: Head of Graphic Design
• Andy Neal: Course Leader, Graphic Design BA(Hons)
• Ashley Rudolph: Senior Lecturer, Graphic Design

Careers

Communication design is a broad field of study, and your career choices will depend on your own personal project focus. These can include graphic design, branding, service design, publication design, exhibition design, UX design, design for social impact, criticism, and writing, teaching, research, and PhD study. You can also enter related fields like television, advertising, and the heritage and cultural sectors.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

We welcome applications from those with relevant equivalent Level 6 qualifications. Our typical applicants hold an undergraduate degree of 2:2 or above, or equivalent experience and a demonstrable interest in the subject.

Language Requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to demonstrate English language skills that are sufficiently developed for successful completion of your studies. We accept a range of recognised English language qualifications that are equivalent to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic minimum score of 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

Fees, Costs & Funding

Tuition Fees

• £9,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.)
• £17,950 - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees)

Typical Course Costs

• A laptop will be an essential piece of equipment along with a reliable broadband connection
• Adobe Creative Suite - you may be eligible for discounted licenses through Adobe's education pricing
• £200 - Studio kit including: academic year diary, A3 layout pads, scalpel, rulers, graphite pencils, retractable pencil, pritt stick, masking tape, plastic eraser, fine line pens, memory stick
• £100-£500 - Additional 'making' costs depending on projects
• £150-£600 - Exhibition costs
• £250-£500 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration

Postgraduate Funding

There are loans, awards, graduate discounts, and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our Postgraduate Funding page.

Program Outline

---

Communication Design MA: Extensive Extraction

---

Degree Overview:

The Communication Design MA is a progressive, interdisciplinary program designed to equip students with the skills and perspectives to break the mold and push the limits within the rapidly changing media landscape. The course focuses on developing individual critical voices and practical abilities through:

• Studio environment: Students work in a purpose-built studio environment that mirrors leading contemporary design studios.
• Expert guidance: Tutors are industry professionals with decades of experience working for leading studios, international clients, and arts and cultural organizations.
• Global provocateurs: Engagement with leading figures in design and other arts fields, including writers, scientists, artists, curators, and musicians, provides fresh perspectives and challenges.
• Competitive projects: Students participate in competitive projects set by external bodies, building professional skills and experience.
• Industry-focused projects: Frequent industry-focused projects provide real-world experience and connections.
• Philosophical exploration: Students explore the philosophical foundations of design and its role in addressing global issues and social change.
• Critical voice development: The program emphasizes the importance of developing a unique and critical voice within the design field.

---

Objectives:

• Equip students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the creative industries.
• Foster a critical and innovative approach to communication design.
• Encourage experimentation and exploration of new ideas and technologies.
• Develop a strong understanding of the social, cultural, and economic context of design.
• Prepare graduates for a range of careers in design, including graphic design, service design, publication design, exhibition design, UX design, branding, art direction, and copywriting.

---

Other:

• The program is one year long and offered full-time.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in study trips and attend lectures by award-winning designers and practitioners.
• Falmouth has a strong network of alumni and connections to leading design consultancies and agencies.

---

Outline:

The Communication Design MA follows a three-phase structure:

• Modules focus on sustainability, ethics, human interaction, and design for social change.
• Students develop critical design thinking skills and explore the relationship between interdisciplinary research and creative practice.

Reconstruction:

• Students delve into the increasing complexity of data in contemporary design and learn how to curate and reveal meaning.
• They participate in competitive projects set by external bodies and build professional skills in areas such as publishing, presentations, funding, production, and intellectual property.

Reinvention:

• Students work on their final major project in a self-directed semester, bringing together practice, theory, and an evaluation phase at a key industry or cultural event.

---

Assessment:

• Individual project briefs
• Competition briefs (e.g., D&AD New Blood, RSA Student Design Awards, YCN Awards)
• Design research journal
• Essay
• Individual and group presentations
• Critical review or business plan

---

Teaching:

• Project-based learning with a focus on industry-relevant skills and knowledge.
• Lectures and seminars by award-winning studios and professionals.
• Study visits to studios in London and potentially abroad.
• Provocation as a continuous theme, with insights from leading figures in design and other arts fields.

---

Careers:

• The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in the creative industries, including:
• Graphic design
• Branding
• Service design
• Publication design
• Exhibition design
• UX design
• Design for social impact
• Criticism and writing
• Teaching
• Research
• PhD study
• Graduates can also pursue careers in related fields like television, advertising, and the heritage and cultural sectors.

---

Other:

• The program emphasizes the development of a global and interdisciplinary perspective.
• Students are encouraged to explore their own personal project focus and interests.

---

Tuition fees 2024-25 £9,200 per year - full-time UK (£250 acceptance fee payable. This is deducted from tuition fees.) £17,950 - full-time EU/international (£500-£2,500 acceptance fee payable depending upon your status. This is deducted from tuition fees) Tuition fees for September 2025 will be confirmed in summer 2024. Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs