Program Overview

 Once you notice it, you will see graphic design everywhere. It has rapidly accelerated in a digital, globally networked world and it offers a rewarding career trajectory. Based in our industry-standard studios, you work with experienced academics and designers who support you to create your own palette of styles and approaches. You spend time collaborating with your peers to gain new perspectives, developing your creative voice and practice.

Responding to live briefs and developing personal projects, you create a substantial portfolio through your degree and gain an understanding of wider global contexts, sustainability and the changing shape of equality and diversity. Recent students have worked with the North York Moors National Park Authority, ITV/Signpost Productions and the National Horizons Centre. Alongside this, a team of leading designers, employers and alumni, support you in adapting your work to meet a brief, from concept and planning work, pitching an idea on paper, screen and in person, to meeting a deadline. You also have opportunities for field trips, fellowships and international mobility with our partners in Prague, Dubai and India.

Top reasons to study graphic design at Teesside University:

1. Nationally recognised: Teesside is ranked 1st out of 64 institutions for Graphic Design in the Guardian University Guide 2024. (122 institutions participated.) (tees.ac.uk/source).
2. Adobe Creative Campus: our courses and campus are powered by Adobe and Apple. We’re Europe’s first Adobe Creative Campus and the only Apple-accredited university, equipping you with the digital tools and resources to transform the creative world. Our courses have a built-in Creative Week – a workshop based, festival style, off-timetable week each semester where you can experiment with new materials, make visits and upgrade your tech skills.
3. Professional membership: we’re a member of the Association of Illustrators giving you access to interactive talks, guidance on contracts and licensing. You also have your own discounted membership, equipping you with the tools to forge a successful career in industry or as a freelancer.
4. Work-ready: the course includes short, career-focused modules helping you understand working in the arts and creative industries. You look at how the graphic design industry works, how to access it, who shapes it and how to grow within it. From industry leaders’ professional wisdom and insight, to accessing professional opportunities and creative coaching, you become an industry insider and leave with a working understanding of the professional community.
5. Enter awards: you are supported to enter career-enhancing awards, including the Adobe Global World Championships held in Disney Studios, the Creative Conscience Awards, D&AD New Blood Awards and the renowned International Society of Typographic Designers (ISTD) – many of our students have been successful in winning awards at these events.