In 2019 UAL declared a Climate Emergency and pledged to ‘make sustainability a required part of the student learning experience’. In response to the climate and ecological crisis the Design School set in place an ambitious Sustainability Action Plan to fully embed responsible practices within the curriculum and in everything we do. As part of this initiative we have updated our course handbooks against a set of social and environmental sustainability principles to ensure that learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip students with the understanding, skills and values to foster a more sustainable planet. Our aim is to change the way students think and to empower them to work towards a sustainable future.
Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves five units, totalling 180 credits.
Critical Perspectives and Research Methods (20 credits)
This unit equips students with practical and theoretical skills that situate art direction within a broader field of practice, culminating in a designed Literature Review as the end submission.
Defining Design for Art Direction (40 credits)
Within the scope of this unit, students define the meaning of art direction within their own practice through a variety of creative briefs and practical workshops. Producing manifestos, designs, campaigns and showcasing this within an academic portfolio.
Specialist Practices for Art Direction (40 credits)
Students will explore their self-driven ideas, using specialist tools to create unique ways of working within the field of art direction. Working on longer-form briefs, students will develop campaigns that are thoroughly researched and delivered. This unit has an emphasis on emerging digital techniques and play.
Collaborative Project (20 credits)
This unit builds upon the inherently collaborative nature of the profession. Students explore different ways to collaborate, including interdisciplinary projects within UAL, and live projects working with professional partners and institutions outside of the course.
Final Major Project (60 credits)
The Final Major Project is an opportunity for the student to deploy all of the skills learned throughout the year in a self-directed project. This project will be driven by them and their interests and could be in an area that they wish to continue with upon graduation.