MA Visual Communication

INTRODUCTION

This course is designed for students to refine their subject specific practice through creative industry experience. You will tackle issues central to contemporary design practice – such as design authorship and social engagement – through a process of analysis, experimentation and the implementation of creative ideas. During your time with us, you will be encouraged to engage creatively with contemporary visual communication issues to enable you to graduate as a professional designer.

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to undertake independent contextual and theoretical research that will improve your capacity for independent enquiry, creativity and professional practice. The course places an emphasis on problem setting rather than problem solving, through the development of self-initiated projects and briefs.

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in live projects as we work closely with key cultural organisations within the north-west. These include The Center for Chinese Contemporary Art, Hotbed Press, Islington Mill, Castlefield Gallery, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Artworks, Mark Devereux Projects, Textbook Studios, Dr Me and Magma Books.

You will:

• develop your skills through creative thinking, research, visualisation, interactivity, social and multi-media.
• capitalise on placements, residencies and exhibition opportunities with key arts and design organisations.

ALL ABOUTTHE COURSE

This course embraces a range and diversity of practices and aims to:

• Provide the skills needed to professionalise careers through embedded creative placements and live projects with industry and community organisations.
• Develop creative, critical, analytical and intellectual competencies appropriate to Masters level degree study, which is informed by current industry practice.
• Develop advanced understanding of research methods in the context of contemporary art & design practice and to understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research

WHAT ABOUT AFTER UNI?

We encourage students to pursue an international profile and presence as soon as possible in support of their professional reputation. Opportunities during the programme offer industry experience and encourage students to make professional links with the art and design networks in the region.

Art and design alumni are actively employed in various sectors of design practice both in the UK and overseas, including Brazil, China and Taiwan. Previous graduates have also progressed into research, while several graduates are now employed as lecturers in the field of education in schools and universities

Graduates from this course pursue professional practice via a range of enterprise, employment and self-employment strategies and contexts. Continuing practice-based and driven research is supported via MPhil/Phd courses at the University of Salford.

CAREER LINKS

We work with key cultural organisations within the north-west. These include The Center for Chinese Contemporary Art, Hotbed Press, Islington Mill, Castlefield Gallery, International 3, Salford Museum & Art Gallery, Artworks, Mark Devereux Projects, Textbook Studios, Dr Me, Magma Books and HOME. Opportunities for student collaboration range from exhibition opportunities to volunteering at the organization, live projects and mentoring.

Members of staff from the organisations visit to provide careers advise and guidance as well as inviting our students to events and talks with professional artists at their venues.