The core intention of the DGC course is to develop a more symbiotic relationship between education and practice. We explore this by opening up the concept of education as a liminal space, wherein an exchange of opinions, thoughts and beliefs are shared and respected between learners, practitioners and course tutors.

The course provides vocationally situated challenges that aim to embed theory into practical activity and navigate a seamless and transformative exchange between higher education and practice. This manifests itself through collaborations with leading designers, who set applied briefs, conduct specialist workshops, host studio visits and/or act as mentors.

A wide variety of skills are required to successfully practice and engage within the design sector upon graduation. These required skills are not purely technical or research-driven, but also incorporate ‘soft’ skills such as negotiation, presentation, listening, notation, discussion, debate and reflection. The challenges provided on the course allow for a broader type of learning through design – not just learning to design.

The curatorial framework of this show is ‘Invisibility/Visibility’. Our intention behind framing the show in this way is to allow it to become a discursive space where our work, the way we choose to display it and any accompanying events and publications are able to start and sustain debate about what is seen/unseen within the context of design (and whether it really matters at all).

The Design for Graphic Communication (DGC) course is made up of a 2 year Foundation Degree (FdA) and a one year top-up Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Contact Darren Raven, course director