Student review [#15683] for Graphic Design
at University of the Arts London - UAL

Going into the first year of my BA (Hons) Graphic Design course in September of 2015, I had a lot of expectations. One of those expectations, that I think I shared with many of my fellow classmates was that we would all be able to excel and achieve great things because we all have a passion for the same subject. Although some did excel more than others, we all could say it was a lot harder than we expected.

My university class as creatives and designers, especially within such a broad subject as graphic design, we were all very different. We all had different styles, skills, design aesthetics, preferred mediums. The course did cover most of these different facets within Graphic Design but one thing I realised is that in terms of the course syllabus, one size doesn’t fit all.

I wish I had been given more of a tailored experience with unique guidance as to what I wanted to go on to do after I left university and what I enjoyed creating the most. A lot of us on that course had chosen it because the scope of subjects covered was very wide, but many of us got lost in that. I know I did.

The moments I enjoyed most within the course was the one on one guidance. I know this format worked very well for me because in my last year I scored my highest grades (A) in my written dissertation which while writing, had regular sessions with a personalised tutor who helped me develop and broaden my perspective.

Another thing great about the university was its design and library facilities. There was a lot of material to draw inspiration from which helped with diversifying my artistic vocabulary and understanding, which in turn developed my contextual understanding of my work and its visual communication.

This course had the contents to really work but it mostly lacked technical learning. There was a lot of teaching regarding design philosophy and less actual practical skills. Especially when it came to each of the students individually.

I wish me while I was within the university system they had given me more guidance because I know moving courses was an option. Your still young and growing at 19 and they need to invest as much in tutors and guidance counseling as they invest in equipment and technology.

I would recommend my university and course to a friend but I would definitely say do your research first. Know exactly what you want to get out of the course and already have an established practice going into university education. Because my course was less for students and more for Graphic Designers.