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London College of Communication

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BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity

College
LCC
Start date
September 2019
Course length
3 years
UCAS code
W213
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Course summary

BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity is designed to produce strategic thinkers and creative communicators. The course equips you with the tools to become a professional practitioner within this expansive industry.

About this course

The course explores diverse and creative approaches to branding and identity, from concept to outcome. You will gain valuable insights into all aspects of the subject, from its historical, social, cultural and commercial contexts, through design practice relating to brand and identity expression.

Practical projects and technical workshops are designed to enable you to develop and deliver the right message, to the right audience, at the right time, using the right media.

Reasons to Apply

  • The only undergraduate course in the country to deliver branding in the context of graphic design studio practice.
  • Focuses on brand strategy and narrative as well as design and implementation.
  • Explores branding across a wide range of 2/3/4D/communication/graphic design contexts - print, packaging, motion, interaction and experience design.
  • Excellent links with industry - projects recently set by Landor, Rufus Leonard, Radley Yeldar, Studio PSK and Anyways.
  • Access to an exciting range of events geared to providing final year students with opportunities to connect with industry, including a portfolio preview evening, D&AD New Blood and the LCC Design School degree show.

Open Days

The next Open Day for this course is on Saturday 17 November

Book your place

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Student work

  • Fashion branding project, showing a double-page magazine spread. The close-up shot of an ankle with rolled-up blue jeans and the top of a black boot.
    Aadam Cruz-Bham, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Double-page spread in a magazine, showing a branding project for Root brand. One page shows a photo of sunlight coming through trees in a forest.
    Aadam Cruz-Bham, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Branding project by student Thalia Lam consisting of five designs for food packaging including oatmeal, chewing tobacco, tea. Thalia uses screen printing on a pastel coloured surface.
    Thalia Lam, Year One, packaging project
  • Double page spread in a magazine, showing a range of logo design options for the word/brand 'Someone'.
    Giada Pieropan, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Two people modelling beside a concrete wall. One is wearing a red t-shirt and looking at the camera, the other has red trousers and a stripy crop-top on.
    Kate Hutchens, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Two photos of models on the balcony of a building, wearing a red t-shirt and tracksuits.
    Kate Hutchens, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Fashion branding project by Kate Hutchens showing the outside view of a concrete tower block with the letters A + O written across in white text.
    Kate Hutchens, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Two photos, one showing the close up of a grey pebbled-dash wall and tarmac, the other showing a model wearing a red t-shirt, standing in profile.
    Kate Hutchens, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Fashion branding project by Thalia Lam. The front cover of a magazine, showing two figures standing facing each other by a wall, wearing white clothes.
    Thalia Lam, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Double-page spread in a magazine, showing a photograph of two people laughing in the sunlight as they share a pink donut.
    Thalia Lam, Year One, fashion branding project
  • Packaging design using a cardboard bag and cardboard wallet files in pastel colours by Thalia Lam.
    Thalia Lam, Year One, packaging project

Course blog

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Facilities

A close-up of the moveable type available in the Letterpress area.

Printing and Finishing

Discover our printing techniques, from Lithographic Printing to Print Finishing and Bookbinding.

A tutor in the process of producing a print.

Printmaking

This workshop offers a wide-range of expertise in everything from etching to lithography.

The Digital Space, London College of Communication.

The Digital Space

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

View all facilities at LCC

Course details

You will gain valuable insights into all aspects of the subject from its historical, social, cultural and commercial contexts, through design practice relating to brand and identity expression. In addition, you'll have access to the College’s extensive range of resources; from printmaking and letterpress to moving image and digital media.

The course is designed to produce strategic thinkers and creative communicators who will become significant professional practitioners within this expansive industry.

Distinctive features

The following features give the course a distinctive identity and help to ensure that we are offering a unique, exclusive and exciting experience for you, including:

  • Practical projects and technical workshops, designed to enable you to choose and develop the right message, to the right audience, at the right time and using the right media.
  • The course will allow you to place graphic branding in the context of graphic design, branded spaces and interiors, packaging, moving image, advertising and narrative storytelling. It is designed to encourage innovation and initiative.
  • Your practice will be supported and informed by theory associated with the subject, which places it within an historical, cultural and social context.
  • Collaboration - This combination of practical and theoretical exploration and understanding is further supported by live projects and collaborative involvement with industry.
  • Strategy and brand planning - The course will introduce you to strategic and brand planning, combined with design principles associated with a broad range of media. The second year will consolidate and expand on design and brand expression, while encouraging individual and collaborative working and engagement with theoretical aspects of the subject, all within an exploratory context.
  • Your final year will allow you to pursue your own interests and direction through supported independence. It will provide you with confidence to choose your future path within the industry, or progress onto postgraduate study.

Course structure

The academic year for this course is divided into 2 blocks.

The 1st block is of 15 weeks’ duration from early October to mid-February. In accordance with the University timetable, there will be a four week holiday in December.

The 2nd block is also of 15 weeks’ duration from mid-February to the end of June with a four week holiday for Easter.

Course units

In common with all courses at University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

Units summary:

  • Introduction to Graphic Branding and Identity (20 credits)
  • Design Principles (40 credits)
  • Brand Narratives (20 credits)
  • Locating Practice: Graphic Branding and Identity (20 credits)
  • Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1 (20 credits)

Year 2

Units summary:

  • Brand Expression (40 credits)
  • Professional Practices (20 credits)
  • Brand Futures (40 credits)
  • Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2 (20 credits)

Diploma in Professional Studies

The Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is an optional year-long learning opportunity, allowing you to undertake a variety of internships and professional experiences for a whole academic year in Year 3, as part of a four-year degree. It is a managed year of professional experience largely undertaken in the design profession in a variety of national and international locations.

Successful candidates are selected on a competitive basis from academic performance and studentship, successful completion of the DPS bridging studies and by portfolio and proposal.

Please view the Diploma in Professional Studies Programme Specification (PDF - 164KB) for more details.

Year 3

There are two pathway options in term one and two of Year 3. One route involves an 8,000 – 10,000 word piece of written work (Route A), or the other route combines a 4,000 – 5,000 word piece of written work plus a Self-Initiated Project (Route B).

Units summary:

Route A:

  • Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (Route A) (40 credits)
  • Industry Practice (20 credits)
  • Major Project Studio (60 credits)

Route B:

  • Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (Route B) (20 credits)
  • Industry Practice (20 credits)
  • Major Project Studio (60 credits)
  • Self-Initiated Project (Route B) (20 credits)

Teaching and learning methods

The courses outcomes are taught using the following learning and teaching methods:

  • Lectures/large group learning: the main areas of theory and its practical applications will be covered in a planned series of tutor-led sessions.
  • Workshop & seminar learning: practical sessions that will enable the student to experiment with a skill or technique relevant to the area of study.
  • Students will be able to share their understanding with others and obtain guidance from lecturers to identify solutions to practical or theoretical problems.
  • Academic tutorials: individual assistance is provided by lecturers to assist students with difficulties in their understanding and practical application of theory and skills. This is important for clarifying the requirements for assessed work.
  • Self directed learning: independent study undertaken by the student to research, write and prepare assignments and to extend their knowledge and understanding. This can be undertaken at home or using college facilities.
  • Outside speakers and visits: these provide students with a perspective of contemporary issues and recent events.
  • Collaborative working that reflects the working practices of the design, media and communication industry
  • Assessed assignments: these assess the students’ attainment of the learning outcomes and develop the key skills that will form an important aspect of their learning. The completion of assignment briefs is therefore regarded as a method.

Assessment methods

The course outcomes are assessed using the following assessment methods:

  • Practical project work and computer based activities
  • Prepared writing
  • Responses to case studies
  • Oral presentation
  • Personal presentations of prepared work
  • Workshop based activities
  • Written research projects
  • The creation of a portfolio of collection of work which may contain a number of different activities.

Course structure

The information outlined is an indicative structure of the course. Whilst we will aim to deliver the course as described on this page, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, for example, because of regulatory requirements or operational efficiencies, before or after enrolment. If this occurs, we will communicate all major changes to all applicants and students who have either applied or enrolled on the course.

Please note that due to staff research agreements or availability, not all of the optional modules listed may be available every year.

In addition, the provision of course options which depend upon the availability of specialist teaching, or on a placement at another institution, cannot be guaranteed. Please check this element of the course with the course team before making a decision to apply.

Webpage updates

We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, use this register your interest form.

Staff

Alison Barnes

Alison Barnes

Course Leader, BA (Hons) Graphic Branding & Identity

Andrew Slatter

Andrew Slatter

Senior Lecturer and Year 1 Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator

Nela Milic

Nela Milic

Senior Lecturer and Year 2 Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator

Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 Coordinator

Ian Hague

Contextual and Theoretical Studies Lecturers Year One

Tim Miller

How to apply

Opportunities for all

We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.

We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.

Entry requirements

Home/EU/International

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

64 UCAS tariff points gained at GCE Advanced (A) Level or equivalent. (A-level subjects studied may include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences). Ideally your A-levels will be achieved at grade C or above.

Or

One subject at A-level achieved at grade C or above PLUS Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3/4).

Alternatively, you will be considered if you have achieved a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points from one of the following qualifications:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma
  • UAL Extended Diploma in Art and Design
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • Equivalent EU or Non-EU qualifications

Additionally, you will have achieved passes at grade C/grade 4 or above in at least three GCSE subjects.

Language Requirements (International/EU)

IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please check our main English language requirements page.

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) 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
  • A combination of these factors.

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

Selection criteria

The portfolio, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Visual language: quality of structure, use of line, shape - 2D or 3D, form, scale, space, light, colour, texture and time.
  • Ideas generation: quality of ideas and thought process, expression of design thinking.
  • Research and its application (including images from sketch books): evidence of investigation and use of appropriate resources.
  • Materials, media exploration and experimentation; experimentation and testing of materials to achieve outcomes.
  • Contextual awareness and its influence on the portfolio; understanding and application of subject knowledge and context.

How we assess your application

Your application form is reviewed when you apply to the University. If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a full portfolio. We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview. To find out more, view our Undergraduate Application Process page.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in graphic branding and identity and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.

You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future. 

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

Portfolio advice

Your portfolio of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.

You are required to present a portfolio with a maximum of 20 images that you consider would help support your application.

Making your application

Apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS):

  • University code: U65
  • Course code: W213

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 15th January for equal consideration.  However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Making a Deferred Application (for entry in 2020/21)

Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.

Entry to Year 2 or Year 3

If you have successfully completed year 1 of a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at LCC, you can identify the point of entry as year 2 on your application, and consideration will be given by the course admissions tutor.

LCC will consider applications for entry at Year 3 in exceptional cases only.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

Erasmus

For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.

International applicants can apply through either of the following routes:

If you are applying through UCAS you will need the following information:

  • University code: U65
  • Course code: W213

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the University Applying through UCAS page.

For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate application page.

Making a Deferred Application (for entry in 2020/21)

Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.

Entry to Year 2 or Year 3

If you have successfully completed year 1 of a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at LCC, you can identify the point of entry as year 2 on your application, and consideration will be given by the course admissions tutor.

LCC will consider applications for entry at Year 3 in exceptional cases only.

Referral to alternative UAL courses

The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.

Study Abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Graphic Branding and Identity for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.

Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.


After you apply

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We’ll use this Portal to contact you to request any additional information, including inviting you to upload documents or book an interview, so please check it regularly.

Once we’ve reviewed and assessed your application, we’ll contact you via UCAS Track or the UAL Portal to let you know whether your application has been successful.

Fees & Funding

Home / EU fee

£9,250 (2018/19).

Tuition fees for undergraduate degree courses have been set at £9,250 per year for full-time study. This applies from the 2018/19 academic year, subject to changes in the law. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Please visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.

International fee

£19,350 (2018/19).

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.

Accommodation

Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost.

Scholarships and awards

There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.

Scholarship search

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Careers and alumni

Career paths

Careers include:

  • Graphic Designer
  • Creative Director
  • Brand Strategist
  • Branding Consultant
  • Experience Designer
  • Retail Designer
  • Visual Merchandiser
  • UX/UI Designer
  • Packaging Designer
  • Account Manager
  • Social Media Strategist
  • Copywriter
  • Producer
  • Art Director
  • Motion Graphic Designer
  • Arts and Culture Adviser

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Contact

  • Telephone: +44 (0)20 7514 6500

Address

  • Elephant & Castle
  • London
  • SE1 6SB

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