Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

6th Jan 2025, 1 year

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

The HNC Graphic Design course provides the knowledge and skills for an exciting career within the creative industries.

Through a programme of practical projects, you'll learn about all aspects of graphic design with an emphasis on the creative process and typography. You will learn Adobe CC software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects and XD.

Our industry partners from studios such as MadeBrave, OStreet, Stand, Cause & Effect, Tangent, D8, Recoat, Collins Debden, Thirst Craft and Equator support the course through client-led projects, mentoring and guest lectures.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Higher Art and Design at Grade C or above AND National 5 English at Grade C or above; OR
• National Certificate in Art and Design or related subject; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience.

Portfolio

We want to see your work and your ideas rather than designs or characters that you have copied from other people. We want to see drawing, observational and developmental. If you have any life drawings or drawings of people, please include them but this is not essential.

Submit a portfolio of your own art and design work that contains:

• 2-3 examples of finished art or design work that could include 2D or 3D work
• 2-3 examples of research for art or design work that might include observational drawing or photography.
• 2-3 examples of development work for art or design work where you show us sketches, thumbnails, experiments, and developments.
• Photograph your work carefully, preferably in natural light. Crop the image so that we can see it clearly.

Please only submit one page with all images - Portfolio Information.

Successful candidates will be invited for a course information session.

Additional selection requirements

You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form and portfolio.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum SQA ESOL National 5 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher or equivalent for HNC/D courses.

What you study

• Digital Imaging.
• Typography.
• Page Layout for brochures, zines and magazines.
• Art & Design Context.
• Introduction to Visual Communication.
• Label & Packaging Design.
• Advertising.
• Corporate Identity.

After the course

Careers

Careers are commonly found within the design industry, marketing, advertising and content creation.

Continuing Study

• Year 2 Entry HND Graphic Design.

Upon successful completion of your HND Graphic Design you will have the opportunity to articulate to several university courses see below:

• Edinburgh Napier University: Graphic Design, Digital Media and Interaction Design, Web Design and Development - Year 3.
• GCU: Digital Design - Year 3.
• The University of Edinburgh: Graphic Design - Year 1 or 2.
• University of Dundee: Graphic Design - Year 1 or 2.
• UWS: New Media Art - Year 3.

Students who choose to articulate to university on completion of their HNC, will have the opportunity to articulate in year1/2 of all of the above universities.

Teaching

How the course is taught