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Postgraduate

MA Design for Art Direction

Installation shot of colourful cubes in a grid formation.
Maysa Ghammachi, Home and its Shapes, 2019, MA Design for Art Direction, London College of Communication, UAL.
College
London College of Communication Start date
September 2023 Course length
1 year 3 months full time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Design for Art Direction at London College of Communication gives visual communicators and designers the practical, critical and conceptual skills to develop their potential in the field of art direction.

Applications closed 2023/24

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • You are interested and inspired by the opportunity to improve your practice, the kind of work that you make and deepen your understanding of the roles that you can pursue in industry.
  • You'll work across disciplines and bring your own ideas to the delivery of visual communications for the industries by which you are inspired.
  • You’ll take on and examine the role of the art director, developing and realising ideas through a combination of collaborative and individual work.
  • You’ll reflect on the role of the creative studio and creative partnerships in shaping public imagination, exploring different types of communications such as activism and intervention.

Open Evenings

The next Open Evening for this course will be announced soon.

Course overview

MA Design for Art Direction takes a holistic approach to the creative industries. Through its multi-displinary nature, the course encourages the discovery of the potential to work across sectors in order to produce campaigns that educate and innovate for commercial, cultural and non-profit sectors.

Across five units, you’ll consider the politics and ownership of the different means of communication, alongside the role of publishing platforms, examining how these allow for creative work to engage with users in flexible ways.

You’ll develop cross-disciplinary research projects, through the intersections of art, design, science and technology, and learn to present these ideas in educational and engaging ways.

Reflecting on the role of the creative studio as a powerful instrument for broadening the public imagination, you’ll learn to communicate the cultural, social and political moment through the sophisticated aesthetics of visual communication.

What can you expect?

Lectures and workshops in production, treatments, pitching will help you to better define your practice and the type of tools you can use. This includes learning how to develop and write treatments and proposals, how to respond to briefs and how to structure your work and communicate the results that you want.

The course will also equip you with practical skills, insight and understanding to communicate with and get the best from collaborators and other creative practitioners.

Mode of Study

MA Design for Art Direction is in Full Time mode which runs for 45 weeks over 15 months. You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

We are committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework, and we have worked to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Racial and Social Justice Principles into the curriculum and in everything we do. 

As part of this initiative, we’ve shaped our courses around social and environmental sustainability principles that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values to foster a more sustainable planet.  Our aim is to change the way our students think, and to empower you 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 Unit (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. 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Practice-based workshops
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • Lectures
  • Academic tutorials
  • Personal tutorials
  • Online blended learning
  • Self-directed learning
  • Speakers and visits
  • Assessed assignments

Online Open Day

(Recorded February 2023)

Course Leader, Jordon Hodgson gives an overview of studying MA Design for Art Direction at London College of Communication.

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

Student voices

Abby Deardorff

Titled ‘Frivolous’, Abby’s project aims to challenge the established ‘minimalist and beige’ design norms commonly associated with sustainability by proposing a more colourful, maximalist aesthetic.

Ruby Rossini

Ruby tells us about Emeveda, a video installation that explores gender as a performance.

Facilities

  • Student soldering in the Creative Technology Lab
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy

    3D Workshop

    View images and find out about the range of tools and technologies on offer.

  • Red light indicating recording is taking place.
    Image © Vladimir Molico

    Lens-Based and Audio-Visual

    Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practice.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,700

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

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Entry requirements

The MA Design for Art Direction course welcomes proactive, contextually aware and curious thinkers from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world.

Applicants may come from a range of disciplines such as graphic design, photography, moving image, set design, curating, art practice and related fields with an Honours degree course in a relevant field, or have other equivalent qualifications.

The course team also welcomes students with relevant technical/ practical background experience who show a commitment to critical thinking and ambitious project development, as well as those who may have previously worked in industry, or non-traditional backgrounds, or be already in employment.

Educational level may be demonstrated by:

  • Honours degree at 2:1 or first-class
  • Possession of equivalent qualifications;
  • Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;
  • Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

  • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.
  • If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English on the Language Requirements page.

For further details regarding international admissions and advice please visit the International Applications page.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in area of visual communication and project management to be able to successfully complete the programme of study and have an academic or professional background in design
  • Willingness to work as a team player, good language skills in reading, writing and speaking, the ability to work independently and be self-motivated
  • Enthusiasm for the subject area of art direction and capacity for research-led design, intellectual inquiry and reflective thought through: contextual awareness (professional, cultural, social, historical); evidence of research, analysis, development and evaluation (from previous academic study and employment) and a grounded understanding of the world of visual and multi-disciplinary networked culture as well as the ability to engage with and contribute to critical discussion
  • Portfolio of diverse examples of visual communication that is conceptual and research-based, evidencing your thinking and making process in variety of media, whilst demonstrating your curiosity to explore, test and experiment
  • Whilst candidates are not expected to demonstrate particular software skills their suitability will be evaluated on evidence of diverse use of medium in generating visually compelling outcomes effectively communicating with audiences (portfolio) and evidence of project management demonstrating ability to manage time, negotiate outcomes, work to deadlines, and take responsibility for deliverables (CV).

Apply now

Home International

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

  • First, they will look at your qualifications and transcript (or projected results)
  • Secondly, they will scrutinise your personal statement and portfolio
  • There is no requirement for an academic or professional reference.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Required information for all postgraduate course applications

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

  • Personal details (including full name; date of birth; nationality; permanent address and English language level)
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history
  • CV
  • Personal statement

Extra information required for applications to this course

  • Portfolio
  • Video task

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.

The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.

Personal statement advice

Please say why you are applying for this course, outlining relevant prior experience and your current knowledge of the subject. Ensure that your personal statement is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes.

It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

If this course requires a digital portfolio as part of the application process, you will be invited to submit this through UAL’s online submission tool, PebblePad. We will request this separately after initial processing of your application is complete. Once we request your portfolio, you will have 7 days to submit it.

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. Find out more about what happens after you apply.

We are no longer accepting applications for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

  • First, they will look at your qualifications and transcript (or projected results)
  • Secondly, they will scrutinise your personal statement and portfolio
  • There is no requirement for an academic or professional reference.

Required information for all postgraduate course applications

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

  • Personal details (including full name; date of birth; nationality; permanent address and English language level)
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history
  • CV
  • Personal statement

Please note: we will ask you for copies of certain documents (for example, English language qualification/certificate and copies of any previous UK study visas).

For further advice on how to apply please visit the UAL International Application page.

Extra information required for applications to this course

  • Portfolio

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.

The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.

Immigration history check

Whether you are applying through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an Immigration History check. If you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.

Personal statement advice

Please say why you are applying for this course, outlining relevant prior experience and your current knowledge of the subject. Ensure that your personal statement is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes.

It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in two rounds. This means that offers won’t be sent to successful applicants until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by 31 March 2022 and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by 30 June 2022.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

After you apply

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming your application and providing your login details for the UAL Applicant Portal. Please add @arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL.

Please log into the portal, as this is where we will send you important updates and requests, and you can contact us with any questions you may have about your application.

What happens next

Portfolio and interview information

All applicants will be expected to submit an electronic portfolio of self-initiated and/or commercial work, supported by a short description of the project and your role within it.

The portfolio of an edited selection of work (10-20 images, 4-5 projects maximum) evidencing your research interests, skills and engagement within your current field. You should include evidence of your research, testing and experimentation, as well as finished work.

If you have links to web projects or other media, please note these in your CV.

Applicants are usually interviewed by the course team before a place can be offered. Interviews will be held online, and details will be sent via the UAL Portal.

Video task

  • We'd like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.
  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Your video task is submitted along with your portfolio via PebblePad. Read our guidance for more information about how to submit your video task and the file types we accept.

As part of your video task please respond to the following direction:

We would like you to identify one project from your portfolio which challenged you and your understanding of Design for Art Direction. Explain how this experience has inspired you to apply to MA Design for Art Direction at London College of Communication.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Applicant Portal.

Requesting feedback

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview.

We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback  please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Careers

Career paths

The course will equip you with the skills to set up small scale agencies or join in-house teams as junior art directors, designers, researchers, art/media buyers or junior creatives.

You'll be prepared for a successful career within media agencies, cultural institutions, print and web editorial and production companies.

Work in both the commercial and public sectors in areas such as:

  • In-house teams in the cultural and voluntary sectors
  • Trend forecasting
  • Design education
  • Exhibition and event organisations
  • Creative consultancy for brands
  • Retail development
  • Editorial design
  • Set design
  • Creative direction
  • Curating

London College of Communication

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6500
Address
Elephant & Castle

London
SE1 6SB