BA (Hons) Graphic Design &
Branding

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Graphic Design & Branding

BA (Hons) Real Projects for Real Work Skills
NOW RECRUITING FOR SEPT - APPLY TODAY >

This Industry brief with Kin + Carta is simply 'game-set-match', excellent opportunities, what more could you ask for!

Dr. Michael Wamposzyc | External Examiner

This Industry brief with Kin + Carta is simply 'game-set-match', excellent opportunities, what more could you ask for!

Dr. Michael Wamposzyc | External Examiner

Live Brief Experiences

We work with industry to give you real world experiences in Digital & Print Design. Live brief experiences start in your first term.
"These students are ready for the industry." Jenna Gardner | External Examiner

2023-24 Industry Portfolio & Click Studio

Our course is heavily focused on industry engagement, with national live clients brought in by Click Studio, UCEN Mcr's industry collaboration initiative. We thank our industry partners for their support throughout this academic year.
Alumni & Industry Talks | Curriculum Input | Industry Teaching | Course Collaboration | Live Briefs | Networking

What Industry Say

We enjoyed today & were impressed by the level of effort, understanding & creativity presented. We were blown away by Radomir!
Caroline Roberts-CherryBBC
The work & presentations were of a very high quality, the design & ideas were brilliant...
Heather LomasWinning Pitch
There is the possibility of offering the students placement opportunities after their course finishes
DirectorStudio North
Olivia is a conscientious, enthusiastic designer with a personable nature ready to take on new ideas. I would recommend her as an asset to any design agency.
Design DirectorPurpose
Michael has adapted really well to a very busy working environment and has been an enormous help. His level of design ability is very high for someone at his level and he’s been producing work to an excellent standard.
Tom CunninghamLTE Group
This course is definitely filling a gap in the market, we struggle to find graduate designers with motion skills like this!
Jasmine DonlanLTE Group
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Kin + Carta Connect

Mentoring and crits by Kin + Carta Connect, ensuring you stay right up to date in digital design.

Case Studies

We are proud of what our students achieve, please check out some of their latest achievements
STUDENT WORK >

Why Study on this Course

Up-To-Date Digitally

Digital Design is moving very quickly. Kin + Carta Connect bring two decades of digital innovation providing direct input on practice and skills within the digital design & advertising field. They will support your learning, mentoring and studio visits in the second and third year ensuring you remain ahead of other graduates in this fast passed industry. 

Totally Print Savvy

Print is alive and well having found its place in the digital age. Designing and preparing for print is a specialist skill involving fluid use of multiple applications. We have nearly 60 years experience in this area and you will be encouraged to produce real print using real supplies, building relationship through industry visits to printers and design agencies.

100% Tutor Contact

Truly industry ready designers are born from excellent support and mentoring. We believe you should have greater access to tutors not less! Our classes involve direct learning in small groups and you will have 100% tutor contact during your timetabled curriculum. Whether up-skilling or returning to education we aim to directly support your creative growth in preparation for work.

Curriculum Overview

1st Year

A grounding in Design & Communication Principles with a focus on Print Design. 
Modules: Typography, Visual Literacy Application Skills 1, Branding, Advertising Contextual Practice 1 (written elements).

• Design & Branding communication principles
• Colour, composition, typography, imagery and design process
• Problem solving through research
• Specialist application skills in Print Design
• Idea generation & research skills
• Live projects client facing & pitching
• Placement Preparation

2nd Year

Industry set live projects, identifying specialisms with a focus on Screen Design.
Modules: Motion Design, UI Design Application Skills 2, Graphic Design & Branding Specialisms, Contextual Practice 2 (written elements).

• Screen Design & Branding specialist principles
• Personalisation of studies through Practice-Based Research
• Specialist application skills in Screen Design
• Industry briefing & pitching
• Introduction of Self-Directed studies
• Placement Opportunities

3rd Year

Engage your creative talents and independent thinking, with a focus on Screen & Print Design.
Modules: Professional Practice, Final Major Project, Contextual Practice 3 (written elements).

• Self-Directed Study & specialist direction
• Autonomous studies & collaboration
• Holistic application skills in Screen & Print Design
• Industry consultation on cross media projects
• National Student Competitions
• Placement Opportunities

Visit UCEN Manchester for current course fees >

Visit UCEN Manchester Course Page for detailed module information, entry requirements & additional course costs >

Specialist Equipment

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Book Making | Digital Printing | Oversized Printing | Screen Printing | Tablets | Graphics Tablets | 3D Printer | 3D Scanner

Apps & A.I. You'll Learn

Traditional – Illustrator | InDesign | Photoshop | After Effects | WordPress CMS | Distiller | Figma
A.I. – ChatGPT | MidJourney | FireFly

Networking

Networking is central in building your career, confidence & getting work...
on this course we go for it connecting with leaders in Manchester Creative Networking - Creative Resources
Networking events include: School of Thought | Two+Two | Agency Portfolio Cit

Agency Visits & London Trip

Yearly visits to major and independent agencies based in Manchester and London

What Our Students Say

The placement is very hands on, It's helped massively with my confidence. It's also help with anxiety about starting work in a real studio. I think it's really, really beneficial in getting experience and confidence for working on real live briefs.
Katie KellyStudent
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my career”
Cameron ScottW12 / Kin + Carta Connect
It gives you more pride in your work, not say I wouldn’t bother for a tutor but it’s real live and that pushes you.
Olivia TaylorPlacements @ Bella Design / Purpose / Design by Day / Code Computer Love / Textbook Studio
I didn’t have a clue about graphics until I came here – it made me realise what my skills were.
Charlotte Leicester2Squared Agency
The Mentor programme is a great way to get your foot in the door at a company – it really helps you engage with industry.
Alex CranglePlacement @ TPW
This course has made me more confident and ready to work in the industry.
Aleksandra WantuchGraduate
It was such an eye opener, it showed me how hard you have to work. I speak so highly of this course, if I’d gone to MMU I would never have got out of it, what I got out of this.
James KeeblePlacement @ Havas Lynx
We worked directly with Kin + Carta Connect on multiple workshops, presentations & briefs - a pretty incredible opportunity!
Clare MarshallGraduate
Our tutors have been great, especially with 1 to 1 support and finding connections in the industry.
Current StudentsStaff Appreciation Comments
This course has made me more confident and ready to work in the industry.
Aleksandra WantuchGraduate
The working environments been so personal, I've felt so much more encouragement than I ever did in my previous Uni. You can really tell the difference going from being a number on a screen to a person.
Andrew McAlinney Graduate
Today's UX speaker was a huge help to me, he's given me actionable, achievable, effective steps I can now implement into my own project. He also passed along resources he uses giving further reading and support to take away from this, already in-depth lecture.
Ethan CallaghanGraduate
Tutors always push us to do better because they believe in us, this in turn helps us believe in ourselves. It is nice to have someone in your corner.
Current StudentsStaff Appreciation Comments
To our tutors - thank you for the hard work and dedication you put in to preparing us for the real world - relentless and successful in all your efforts!
Nela BlinkhornGraduate
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Online Talks

Rewatch our onlines talks including
1st Yr Talk: Harnessing Creativity | Industry Talk: Kin + Carta Brief | Alumni Talk: The Art of Food Packaging

New City Center Campus

Our new £93 million campus, collaboratively designed by award-winning architects Bond Bryan and SimpsonHaugh, located opposite the Manchester Arena and Manchester Victoria Station, will become home to UCEN Manchester’s Faculty of Creative Arts and Media Industries. >Visit UCEN Mcr Student Accommodation

Destinations & Placements

Apply, or Come & See Us

Visits
We welcome visits any time of the year. Please drop the course leader Alex Komlosy an email to provide at least two weeks notice or give us a call. 

Address
UCEN Manchester
Graphic Design & Branding
60 Great Ducie St Manchester M3 1PT

Contact
Reception. 03333 222 444
Direct Line. 0161 674 3190
Email. Click to Email

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