Design Degrees Online

Graphic Design I
Graphic design covers a wide area of activities from calligraphy and book illustration, through static and kinetic advertising (TV, film video) to the complex images in company presentations and actions that try to grasp every detail of the environment both interior and exterior. Graphic design thus continues to develop spatial design. Its purview extends not only to the branches of industrial design and architecture, but also to the creative areas of applied art and cinematography.

Graphic Design II
The studio of Graphic Design II prepares students for a graphic designer career with the opportunity to assert themselves in a wide variety of graphic design professions.

Year 1

_ Students are given opportunities to develop their fine art and design skills. They will explore creative areas of video, animation and graphics design for print. They will be given the opportunity to explore art practice and historical contextualisation.

Year 2

Students will further enhance their skills in fine art and design. They will become more proficient in the specialist areas of video, animation and graphics focusing on web design. They will engage with art-based theoretical models which will enhance their ability to contextualise and locate their work.

Year 3

Students will now specialise in their chosen areas of digital creativity – video, animation, graphics and interactive new media. Fine art teaching will continue to develop students’ skills within this area. Academic and theoretical subject material will further prepare students for their Honours year.

Year 4

In this final year, students will be expected to utilise their core skills in the development of self generated creative projects covering digital and fine art. Production of an Honours dissertation covering an area of personal study is also a pre-requisite for this programme.

Career Prospects
Digital Art graduates are likely to have employment opportunities in Media, Film, Television, Graphics, Computer Games Design and Publishing. Graduates of this specialised visually creative degree would be attractive to employers across the creative industries.

Name:Product Design
Award:BDes/BDes (Hons)
Study Mode:Full-Time (Undergraduate)
Napier Code:U54108
UCAS:W241

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SEP09
Why choose this course?

Every product we buy, from MP3 players to the chairs we sit on, has been designed to look and work in a certain way. On this course you’ll learn how to design and develop innovative, attractive and usable products, from commercial 3D objects to conceptual design and communications. You will develop diverse skills in visualisation, prototyping, computer aided drawing, materials and fabrication while applying your design research skills to other creative areas such as branding and interaction design. We aim to reflect the changing role of the product designer so you’ll explore product design in its most modern contexts, looking at future technologies, changing customer culture and the impact of carbon neutral lifestyles on manufacturing. You’ll develop an excellent understanding of industry and work with our industry partners such as Polaroid and Deutsche Post, on live projects or undertake a work placement. You can also choose to study abroad. On graduation you’ll be eligible for membership of the Institute of Engineering Designers, giving you a professionally recognised qualification.
Skills

You’ll develop good research, problem solving, and conceptual development skills, as well as the ability to work on your own initiative. You’ll be able to communicate and work in a team and develop an awareness of the business potential of ideas. You’ll also gain practical skills in design, sketching, use of digital media, 3D modelling, materials and manufacture, plus business and marketing skills.
Career Prospects
As Scotland’s Number One University for Graduate Employability (HESA 2008) and Graduate Prospects (The Independent and The Times University Guides for 2009), we can offer you a valuable head-start in your chosen career.

This qualification can lead to a number of careers in various areas of design including:
product design
industrial design
medical equipment design
sports equipment design
carbon neutral design
brand management
advertising
graphic design
web design.

After successful completion of the degree you can go on to develop more targeted research and practice have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate level within our Master of Design (MDes) courses.

Yes, admission to the major is only possible in the fall semester. The applicant must meet all curricular requirements mandated by the university for entering students. Courses in studio art or other creative areas are strong encouraged because they help the student develop creative potential as well as critical judgment.

What courses would I take?

During your first year in the program, you will gain a strong foundation in design principles and graphic communication. You will also concentrate on the Miami Plan, a well-rounded course of study that provides you with an excellent liberal arts education. Through the Miami Plan, you will get a solid base in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, fine arts, and formal reasoning. You meet first-year Miami Plan requirements in interior design by taking a special series of courses offered in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies (Western College Program). These include Creativity and Culture, Social Systems, and Natural Systems.

The second and third years introduce you to history and theory, computer-aided design, human factors, materials, and furniture design. These support the design studio courses that you will be taking. During the summers following these two years, you may pursue for-credit internships and gain practical experience.

Your fourth year becomes more self-directed. In the fall, you will take a comprehensive studio where you undertake a single, semester-long project where you handle all of the phases of a job and bring the project to completion. In the spring semester, you will take a senior thesis studio where you concentrate on a project of your own choosing. This may be a real-life project in conjunction with a firm or a community organization.

What can I do with this major?

Most graduates work in commercial interior design firms, architectural firms, or furniture dealerships. Other graduates choose to pursue careers in facilities management, historic preservation, retail sales, or teaching.

Who can I contact for more information?

For general information about Miami University, please contact: