Hamzaa Valli
Junior Designer at Fit4home Ltd
One of the things I have looked back to from my time at the Graphics course is that a tutor told me in a design outcome there is 80% planning and 20% practical. While not an exact figure, it is to emphasise the importance of the thought process that goes into a design. We are thinkers before designers and we create solutions to the problem.
My time during the Graphics course and most notably the Final Major Project module and creating my own brand module has made me a better designer and more visually intuitive. I learnt brand design, brand guidelines, motion graphics and even website design using WordPress. These are the skill I have implemented to the growing success of my current workplace. I can proudly say that my role as a designer in the past year has made me a key member of the business that have now created a seven-figure revenue annually.
Testimonials
Don't Take Our Word For It
We listen to each and every student opinion, take a look at what they say about the programme.
"My time during the Graphics course and most notably the Final Major Project module and creating my own brand module has made me a better designer and more visually intuitive."
Hamzaa Valli
Nicola Murphy
Graphic Designer at Stoked Marketing
Bolton University on a whole isn’t an enormous university, so as a starting point that for me was a major benefit. This meant that I was able to get that one on one time with tutors as frequently, and as conveniently as I wanted, which helped me throughout my time. The modules on the course are so varied which means you can experiment with different areas of design and this amount of freedom and understanding allows you to cross over these different areas for each module, which pushes more creative outcomes.
The creativity also comes from how self-led the course is, but also there is a balance of support and reassurance from tutors who have all worked in the industry. For me the Graphic Design course at enabled me to gain a solid understanding of design principles, learn from working professional guest speakers, and most of all help me gain confidence in the work I produce from vasts amount of researching, analysing, self critiquing and peer critiquing.
"I was able to get that one on one time with tutors as frequently, and as conveniently as I wanted, which helped me throughout my time"
Nicola Murphy
Ya'Qub Mir
Brand Designer at Studio Up North
The final year of the Graphic Design degree course at the University of Bolton is where I started to come into my own in terms of design ability, understanding and confidence.
During this year, we were taken to numerous networking, and workshop events which gave me the confidence not only to speak about my work in a one on one scenario but also in front of an audience, most notably at two + two where we, as a team, were tasked to pitch an advertising project in front of a panel as well as a live crowd. I felt very fortunate at the lengths the university went to, to bring in guest lectures to help us better understand the inner working of the design industry.
The guest lecturer who stood out the most to me was Jamie Kelly, Who not only presented his work, and went over his process, but set a live brief, with the opportunity of a two-week work placement at his studio. Without the University of Bolton and the connection they had built with SUN, I would never have had the opportunity to work with Jamie, building a studio not only centred around helping our clients find the best way to communicate their purpose, helping them transform peoples lives for the better, but also doing the right thing. Whether that be for our clients, or using our voice and presence for better, not being scared to speak and positively act on matters that need addressing.
"I felt very fortunate at the lengths the university went to, to bring in guest lectures to help us better understand the inner working of the design industry."
Ya'Qub Mir
Aleksandra Greziak
Graphic Designer and Packaging Designer
When I started the graphic design course at the University of Bolton, I didn't know what kind of design career is right for me. All I knew was that I like arts, creativity and practicality. Three years later I knew exactly in which direction to go, because I discovered my design and personality strengths, as well as my interests. My teachers adapted their approach to me after I've shared my plans and ambitions with them. This personalised kind of support and respect for individualism simply helped me get what I needed and wanted out of my degree.
"This personalised kind of support and respect for individualism simply helped me get what I needed and wanted out of my degree."
Aleksandra Greziak
Vazkresen Georgiev
CMO at Kubator
The thing that resonated with me most during my time at Bolton was Anthony's way of making us think globally about things. This has given me the ability to not box myself into a brief but instead expand it and out-deliver.
Johnathon Francis
Junior Graphic/Web Designer at Blue Bee
In addition to the teaching quality at Bolton School of Arts I found attending networking events in Manchester, such as Glug and Design Manchester 18/19 with course mates and teaching staff to be of significant value, supporting course content and my understanding of the wider industry.
After volunteering as a guest speaker at Glug Manchester #19 I found myself completing an Internship with Manchester based, D&AD Yellow Pencil winning, Design Agency Music. Without being encouraged to attend creative networking events by academic staff I wouldn't have benefited from valuable experience as an intern.
"Without being encouraged to attend creative networking events by academic staff I wouldn't have benefited from valuable experience as an intern."