Graphic Design (Illustration) De Montfort University

The Graphic Design (Illustration) degree is taught in alliance with the Graphic Design degree, with module-specific teaching to develop a more personal visual language.

Graphic designers and illustrators need to be curious innovators and follow a reflective and explorative design process. They need to understand and engage audience. The Graphic Design (Illustration) course will build both your Graphic Design industry skills and develop your own personal visual style. You will be taught how to interpret briefs, identify and solve problems to create innovative design illustration solutions.

On the Graphic Design (Illustration) course you will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with an extensive range of media and craft skills, taught by expert practitioners. You will work on projects that allow your creativity and talent to thrive over all print, digital and analogue media platforms.

Though our close relationships with industry you will be set live projects enabling you to have work selected and published.

The course will prepare you in all aspects of graphic design and illustration to prosper in the exciting, everchanging creative industry. You will work towards building a professional creative portfolio that will showcase your unique visual voice. 

Key features

• Access one-to-one support from the Leicester Media School Drawing Centre to perfect your drawing skills and meet like-minded artists.
• Benefit from our Gurus and Grasshoppers peer support mentoring scheme – final-year students mentor new students on formal assignments and additional areas, as needed.
• Develop your practical and professional skills through live project briefs set by real clients from the design industry.
• Enter high-profile competitions such as D&AD, RSA, Macmillan Children’s Books, Batsford, Penguin and Creative Conscience.
• Explore the world with DMU Global, our international experience programme. Graphic Design students have previously researched the Bauhaus art movement in Berlin and visited museums and galleries in Amsterdam.
• Exhibit your work at the week-long DMU Degree Show, one of Leicester’s biggest art and design shows, where final-year students have the chance to meet talent scouts and win industry prizes.
• Benefit from Education 2030, where a simplified ‘block learning’ timetable means you will study one subject at a time and have more time to engage with your learning, receive faster feedback and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Entry requirements

• Normally 104 UCAS points from at least two A-levels or equivalent, with Art and Design at grade C or above or

• Art and Design BTEC National Diploma/ Extended Diploma at DMM

Plus five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English or equivalent.

Alternative qualifications include:

• Pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE Art and Design course with at least 15 credits in Art and Design at merit. English GCSE required as a separate qualification as equivalency is not accepted within the Access qualification. We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course or

• International Baccalaureate: 24+ points including Art and Design at higher level grade 5 or
• T Levels Merit or
• Art and Design Foundation Diploma: Pass

Portfolio Required: You will also need a good portfolio according to the course guidelines as part of your application. Portfolio guidance for Graphic Design.

Interview Required: No

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.