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BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Arts University Plymouth – Industry Mentors & Real-World Experience
Wednesday, 26 February, 2025 — Turn your creative vision into industry-ready skills with BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Arts University Plymouth. Learn from expert tutors, work on live briefs, and gain real-world experience with industry mentors. Ranked among the top UK arts universities for teaching quality and student satisfaction. Explore the course today.
<p dir="ltr">At Arts University Plymouth, our BA (Hons) Graphic Design course empowers you to turn your creative vision into industry-ready skills. Consistently top-ranked among UK arts universities for our teaching quality and student satisfaction, this programme blends hands-on practice, expert guidance, and real-world challenges to prepare graduates for exciting careers in the global design industry.</p>
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design"><strong>Explore the course here</strong></a><br /></p>
BA (Hons) Graphic Design student Jessika McCarron's Creative Conscience submission
<h2><strong>Industry-connected learning</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Real clients, real briefs, real impact</strong><br />On our BA (Hons) Graphic Design course, you don’t just learn in the classroom—you tackle genuine design challenges. Thanks to industry mentors, local partnerships, and a packed events calendar, you’ll graduate with a portfolio full of real-world experience.</p><h3><strong>Recent projects, briefs and competitions</strong></h3><ul><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Creative Conscience Awards</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Students Jess McCarron and Ashley Fellows recently won accolades at the Creative Conscience Awards 2024/45, showcasing that fresh ideas can gain big recognition when you’re supported by the right people and resources.<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>D&AD New Blood & War Child presents Secret 7”</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Our students regularly compete in prestigious competitions such as the D&AD New Blood Awards and the War Child presents Secret 7” challenge. These platforms push them to innovate, refine their portfolios, and network with industry figures.<br /></p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Meeting designer Neville Brody</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Students recently attended a talk by iconic designer Neville Brody (best known for his work on The Face magazine) at Plymouth Design Forum—offering a rare insight into the heart of cutting-edge design. Experiences like these reflect our commitment to connecting you directly with pioneers in the field.</p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Calligraphy social</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Encouraging creative experimentation, we host events like our Calligraphy Social in collaboration with Wild Sea Calligraphy. From digital to hands-on crafting, we embrace every design medium you can imagine.</p></li></ul>
Designer Neville Brody at Plymouth Design Forum
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Expert tutors and mentors</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Our industry-active teaching team brings authentic expertise into the studio.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/amy-pike"><strong>Amy Pike</strong></a> – Course Leader Amy specialises in visual communication, playful design-thinking and supports students in developing conceptual thinking and technical fluency.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/matthew-thame"><strong>Matt Thame</strong></a> – Lecturer Matt has a professional background in editorial and branding and is founder of <a href="https://studioauto.co.uk/index.html">Studio Auto</a>.</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/sue-lewry"><strong>Sue Lewry</strong></a> – Lecturer and researcher <a href="https://www.suelewry.com/">Sue Lewry</a> focuses on innovative processes to push design boundaries, as seen in her Colossal mobile screen-print studio.</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">Their collective experience covers everything from concept art to large-scale brand campaigns—ensuring you learn from leading practitioners.<br /></p>
Lecturer Sue Lewry - Photo by Rae Warne
I loved how open Arts University Plymouth is for everyone to try new things and use different workshops. I wanted an environment where I knew all my coursemates and all the lecturers knew the students and their work. I also loved how much Arts University Plymouth is connected to the design scene in the area, where it is common to visit networking events and invite guest speakers.
— Nefeli Naoum, BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduate, winner of the TDK Award 2023/24
BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduate Nefeli Naoum
Arts University Plymouth is such an inspiring and collaborative environment to study in. The university brings together talent from all kinds of creative backgrounds. This was especially relevant for working within interactive design - I love combining lots of disciplines: film, photography, coding, sound, animation, storytelling and graphic design. At Arts University Plymouth I was lucky enough to be immersed in and influenced by all of this, supported by the experience and knowledge of the staff.
– Arts University Plymouth graduate Peter Jupp, Creative Director for Apple, previous clients include Nike, Beats by Dre, Google, BBC, and Virgin Atlantic
Designer Neville Brody at Plymouth Design Forum
<h2><strong>Why study BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Arts University Plymouth?</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Join an Adobe Creative Campus</strong><br />We’ve partnered with Adobe to become an <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/adobe-express-adobe-education-feature-arts-university-plymouth">Adobe Creative Campus</a>, giving you greater access to industry-standard software, training, and digital innovation.</p>
<ul><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Live industry briefs</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Build your CV with real-world projects and competitions from early in the course.</p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Industry mentorships</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Worth with a group mentor in your second year and a specialist 1-2-1 mentor in your final year.</p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Vibrant facilities & collaboration</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">As the #2 University in the UK for Facilities (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024), we’ve created an environment where graphic designers, illustrators, photographers, and filmmakers regularly work together—mirroring a modern creative agency.</p></li><li><p dir="ltr"><strong>Career launchpad</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">Enjoy personalised support from our Careers & Enterprise team, plus a strong alumni network that can open doors in advertising agencies, design consultancies, and freelance arenas.</p></li></ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"><strong>Ready to start your creative journey?</strong></h2>
<p dir="ltr">Take the first step towards an exciting career in graphic design.</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design"><strong>Explore BA (Hons) Graphic Design</strong></a></p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ucas.com/"><strong>Apply Now</strong></a></p></li></ul>
<p><strong>Choosing the right university makes all the difference</strong></p>
<p dir="ltr">If you’re going to invest in a degree, it’s important to choose the right place for you. At Arts University Plymouth, we’re proud to be ranked among the best in the UK for student satisfaction, teaching quality, and support:</p><ul><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#2 in the UK for Student Satisfaction</strong> – Times Higher Education analysis of the National Student Survey 2024</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>Top scoring arts university in the UK</strong> – National Student Survey 2024, 2023 & 2022</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#2 in the UK for Teaching Excellence</strong> – Daily Mail University Guide 2025</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#2 in the UK for Facilities</strong> – Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#3 in the UK for Student Support</strong> – Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#3 in the UK for Interior Design</strong> – The Guardian University Guide 2025</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#4 in the UK – University of the Year</strong> – Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024</p></li><li dir="ltr"><p dir="ltr"><strong>#4 in the UK for Lecturers & Teaching Quality</strong> – Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024</p></li></ul>
<p dir="ltr">With fantastic facilities, award-winning teaching, and outstanding student support, we’re here to help you make the most of your creative future.<br /></p>
<h2><strong>Interested in developing your skills further?</strong></h2>
<p>For those seeking advanced study or a postgraduate qualification in design, explore our new <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-design-communication"><strong>MA Communication Design</strong></a>.</p>
<p>Designed for graduates and creative professionals, this programme delves deeper into design strategies, critical thinking, and applied research—perfect if you’re aiming to become a leader in design innovation.</p>
