Graphic Design

Graphic design shapes how we see and make sense of the world around us. It is the discipline of visual communication, concerned with how ideas, information, and identity are conveyed through the purposeful combination of image, type, colour, and layout. From the covers of books and the interfaces of apps to the visual identities of major organisations and the signage systems of cities, graphic design is present in virtually every visual interaction we have with the human-made world.

The discipline rewards both creative intelligence and methodological rigour.

At Edinburgh Napier University, this four-year, full-time BDes (Hons) programme is built around the idea that graphic design can tell meaningful stories and make a real difference. You will develop the visual thinking, technical skills, and critical awareness that professional design practice demands, engaging with typography, image-making, branding, digital design, and communication strategy across the four years of the programme. Edinburgh Napier has a strong design tradition and award-winning student work, and its Edinburgh location places you in a city with a vibrant creative sector and one of the major international arts festivals in the world.

A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to study in a different design culture and expand your international network. The typical entry tariff of 184 points reflects strong academic and creative expectations.

Graduates of graphic design work across an exceptionally wide range of contexts: branding and identity agencies, digital studios, publishing houses, advertising agencies, in-house design teams at major organisations, and independent practice. Many also move into adjacent creative roles in art direction, user interface design, motion graphics, and visual strategy. Edinburgh's creative sector provides ready access to potential employers and collaborative opportunities.

Postgraduate study in graphic design, communication design, or design research is available for those who wish to develop their practice at a higher level or pursue academic or research careers.