Visual Communication: Graphic Design HND

HND - Edinburgh College

Course overview

The HND Visual Communication, specialising in Graphic Design, is an award-winning studio-based course that offers an exciting blend of employer engagement and industry collaboration, working at the forefront of contemporary Graphic Design. The course has a strong reputation for producing industry-ready graduates who can think and execute design solutions across print and digital formats.

You will benefit from working in our dedicated Graphic Design studios and MacLabs to develop advanced specialist skills. The curriculum mixes research, problem-solving and teamwork skills with theory and practice in typography, colour, layout, publishing, and creative advertising.

A previous HND Visual Communication student won a D&AD Black Pencil in July 2024, the ultimate creative accolade, reserved for ground-breaking work. Only a handful of these are awarded each year, if any.

We have an Education Network Membership with D&AD, and our students regularly enter and win national and international design awards. We run the sector-leading Mentoring Programme and Partnership Initiative, in which you will work closely with a select group of industry professionals from leading agencies.

Responding to industry-focused design briefs, working individually and in groups, you will gain the essential skills and professional attributes to support advanced progression onto degree-level study or employment in the fields of Graphic Design and Visual Communications.

Our Graphic Design students are highly successful, progressing directly onto our one-year BA (Hons) in Visual Communications, or into employment/self-employment, or Degree-level programmes across the UK, to become in-demand Graphic Designers.

Course description

What you will learn

Year 1

Art and Design: Creative Process
Graphic Design
Graphic Production for Commercial Production
Typography
Graphic Design: Three-Dimensional
Visual Communication: Graded Unit 1
Art and Design Context
Digital Imaging
Art and Design Project
Art and Design: Desktop Publishing and Layout
Web Design: An Introduction
Visual Communication: An Introduction
Working in the Field of Visual Communication

Year 2

Web Design
Design Production
Digital Imaging Project
Graphic Design: Advanced
Graphic Design Project
Typography Project
Visual Communication: Graded Unit 2
Creative Project for Artists and Designers
Preparing for a Role in the Field of Visual Communication
Client-Initiated Design Project

Entry requirements

Year one: Two Highers or UAL Level 2/3 or Foundation Diploma or SQA NC at SCQF Level 6
Year two: Pass all 15 credits available at HNC Level
You must submit a portfolio that demonstrates your advanced art and design skills and understanding of the creative process
Adult learners with relevant employment/life experience/skills will be considered for entry to this course.

Progression

Students passing this course with a minimum B grade can progress onto our one-year BA (Hons) Visual Communications top-up Degree at Edinburgh College.

Recognised entry to second and third-year Scottish Degrees dependent on each institution’s specific entry requirements, for example:

Graphic Design BDes (Hons) DJCAD
Graphic Design BA (Hons) ECA Second-year entry
Communication Design BA (Hons) RGU Gray’s School of Art
Communication Design BA (Hons) GSA
Communication Design BA (Hons) or Fashion Communication BA (Hons) HWU
Graphic Design BDes (Hons) Edinburgh Napier
BA (Hons) Visual Communication and Design, year 3 entry to the University of the Highlands and Islands

Recognised second or third-year entry to the Rest of the UK 3-year Degrees, depending on each institution’s specific entry requirements.

Career opportunities