Graphic Arts
at Liverpool John Moores University

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Course Description

Is Graphic Arts for you?

The Graphic Arts programme covers a wide range of communication design activities including Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation and Interactive Design. The course offers a broad subject overview during Level 1 that guides students towards specialist pathways at Levels 2 and 3.

Creativity and self-expression are nurtured in all aspects of the course. This reflects the vibrant art and design scene within the city of Liverpool to which many students and recent graduates contribute. Staff are all active practitioners and well placed to help students make the transition from education into the world of work.

How will you spend your study time?

Coursework is centred on studio projects. A project will typically last for around 3 weeks and will require attendance at a variety of studio briefings, workshops, discussion and critique sessions along the way.

Acquiring new skills runs side-by-side with developing existing talents and Graphic Arts students are able to develop their specialist knowledge through practical studio-based projects that cover all aspects of professional activity.The course places much emphasis on face-to-face studio teaching and this is supported by a regular programme of individual tutorials, group seminars, presentations and visiting lecturers of the highest calibre.

What career opportunities are available?

The course has succeeded over many years in preparing students for careers at a national level in Graphic Design, Web Design, Animation and Illustration. Graduates will typically look for work in the creative industries, print-based graphic design, motion graphics for film and TV, freelance illustration or interactive design for the internet. A number of students go on to study at postgraduate level and/or prepare for a career in teaching.

The design industry in Liverpool is thriving and offers a viable and exciting range of possible career options that many Graphic Arts graduates are already participating in.

What are we looking for?

Graphic Arts applicants should be able to show evidence of creative ability and be enthusiastic about Art and Design. It is an advantage for students to be knowledgeable about their influences and informed about their reference points.

While we take many students who are already certain about their eventual pathway through the programme it is not necessary at this stage for students to have made up their mind. We are more interested in ideas, attitude and students' approach to making work and less interested in technical prowess. Sketchbooks, reference and research work are as important as finished project work at interview.