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Announcing the launch of Graphic Design 2: Working with a Client - The Open College of the Arts

To find out more details about the transfer to The Open University see A New Chapter for OCA.

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Announcing the launch of Graphic Design 2: Working with a Client

It’s Cowboy Time, Kate Prior

This is a post from the weareoca.com archive. Information contained within it may now be out of date.
 
We’re pleased to announce the launch of a new level two graphic design course for the BA (Hons) Visual Communications pathway.
The relationship between client, brief and graphic designer is central to the practice of graphic design, and Graphic Design 2: Working with a Client explores this relationship in depth. The course is designed to support students in applying creative problem-solving techniques, understanding the needs of clients and audiences, finding effective ways of communicating ideas and developing the critical skills to evaluate the results. The course is worth 60 credits, which is the equivalent of half an academic year on a full time course, so at over 200 pages in length there’s plenty of content.
The course starts by exploring the breadth of graphic design as a discipline, outlining the practical and visual tools used by designers and ways of approaching client-led briefs. Part two focuses on how to organise the page through the use of layout and typography for print-based projects, as well as exploring the implications of working beyond the page in digital formats.
Part three explores the role graphic design plays in communicating identities through logo design, branding and packaging, through to developing integrated campaigns. This is a chance to explore the creative possibilities of typography as well as practically exploring how design can be used as a campaigning tool to save a local high street.
Information graphics is the central focus for part four, exploring how graphic design can help visualise information, provide instructions or directions through diagrams, plans and signage. Screen-based information has opened up a whole new area for graphic designers to work in, and the course explores the idea of interactivity and provides an overview of how to design for web.
Thelma Roscoe, 1963

In part five, the course examines the relationship between designer and client. Looking at how to prepare artwork for printing, and how to present and promote yourself as a practising graphic designer. Building on the course as a whole, assignment five focuses on supporting you to develop your own client-led project, which is an exciting opportunity to test your skills out into the world.
Common to all OCA level two courses, the final part builds on the research undertaken during the course to develop a critical review that focuses on an area of design practice, theory or history you find interesting.
The course is illustrated throughout with images of iconic graphic design, examples of OCA student work and live projects from a range of practicing graphic designers. To further support student’s understanding of graphic design practice and theory, a library of texts has been compiled and can be accessed online via the OCA student site.
This course provides a step up from the experience of level one Visual Communication courses and should help you on your way to develop a more specialist understanding of graphic design.


Posted by author: Christian Lloyd

One thought on “Announcing the launch of Graphic Design 2: Working with a Client

  • Have been trying to get in touch with Thelma Roscoe and saw her design on your website. Is there any way you could help me get in touch with her ? I knew her when we were at college in the late 50s

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