MA Visual Communication at Bath Spa University

This is a practical MA Visual Communication course for photographers, illustrators and graphic designers. We encourage you to work independently and collaboratively, while learning a shared visual language.

Working alongside other students and in consultation with your tutors, you'll build a professional and critical context for your practice, in the process of developing each of your projects.

Your growing confidence and increased ability will be clearly evident in the portfolios you present when you enter the industry or continue your studies.

You’ll develop your visual communication practice, concentrating on practical, conceptual, historical and contemporary concerns. You’ll enter critical dialogue with other students in related fields and we’ll help you place your practice in an appropriate context. Our view is that by integrating your methods with those in related fields, you’ll become a more effective specialist photographer, graphic designer or illustrator. At a time when boundaries between these disciplines are changing – and in some cases dissolving – this is particularly important.

You’ll become adept at working individually and collaboratively. Through developing an individual specialist project, you’ll conceptualise, critique and contextualise your approach, while fine-tuning your aesthetic sensibilities. You’ll also collaborate to produce joint projects, negotiating the final outcomes with your team members.

You’ll graduate with:

• A broad, informed outlook
• A genuine confidence in your abilities
• The skills necessary to succeed in your chosen specialism.

Careers

Graduates from this department have become graphic designers, illustrators, photographers and photo editors for design agencies, architectural and engineering practices, the MOD and other specialist areas. Many also work on research projects in conjunction with fine artists, or scientists, or have gone on to become teachers.