MA Visual Communication: Graphic Design

MA Visual Communication: Graphic Design is an intensive contemporary programme that combines creative and professional development, experienced within a nurturing, experimental, interdisciplinary, studio-based environment. The course is focused on the development of imaginative and conceptually distinctive visual practices, in which qualities of invention and discovery are underpinned by rigorous specialist expertise, preparing students to achieve a broad range of creative ambitions.

During the intensive 12-month programme based in our central Cambridge studios, you will advance a specialist knowledge of your chosen area of communication design, within an imaginative and interdisciplinary context, where you will be encouraged to explore and experiment with new methods, platforms and technologies, helping you to develop an original approach, taking your work in exciting new directions.

As well as refining your knowledge of fundamental principles and the traditional print and screen-based skills necessary for future careers in professional practice, you will be encouraged to engage the expanded field of contemporary graphic design, including motion graphics, experimental animation, photographic practices, moving image and typography.

Unique Opportunities At The CSVPA Graduate School

This programme offers outstanding specialist tuition combined with extensive academic contact and studio access. As a Master’s student you benefit from:

• Expert tuition from industry-active professional designers, artists, visual communicators and researchers, with unrivalled understanding of contemporary art and design practices, the importance of visual intelligence and experimental approaches to learning, and a passion for sharing their knowledge and skills.
• Imaginative and contemporary project briefs, which prioritise experimental practical approaches, and which are underpinned by research-led conceptual understanding.
• Unique opportunities to engage in creative collaborations with Academic Faculty, Departments, Colleges, Doctoral Researchers and Undergraduate students at the University of Cambridge.
• Exclusive access to contemporary creative industry expertise, by means of workshops, talks and projects, as well as the opportunity to participate in a competitive internship scheme in partnership with Hearst Magazines UK, publisher of titles including Digital Spy, ELLE, Esquire, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle Decoration.
• Intensive learning experiences tailored to your needs and ambitions, with high levels of personalised support and extensive 1:1 tutorial time.
• A postgraduate qualification that will help you to gain distinctiveness and further your creative and professional ambitions.
• Collaborating with a creative, interdisciplinary and global postgraduate community, developing individual skills in a sharing and collective context.
• Studio workspace, accessible every day of the week.
• Access to specialist art and design resources.
• A small, supportive and specialist creative arts college in a beautiful, historic and cultural city—a creative hotspot and home to one of the UK’s most dynamic and international student communities.

Resources & Facilities

All students on our MA programmes have access to a wide range of resources to support their studies and the hybrid nature of contemporary practice across art and design including:

• Industry-standard software, including Adobe Creative Cloud
• Digital Media hardware and technical support, including A3 scanner.
• Photography studios and access to analogue darkroom facilities.
• Wood, metal, and ceramics 3D workshops and technical support.
• Unlimited access to professional TaskAlpha A3 photocopier/printer
• Prototype Lab (including 3D printer and laser-cutter).
• Industrial sewing machines and technical support from garment technicians.
• Additional Learning Support