Visual Communication: User Experience Design HND

Course overview

User Experience Design is at the forefront of emerging developments in the creative industries and students completing the HND Visual Communications in User Experience (UX) Design are very prepared to move into both employment or further study in this exciting area of Design. This course is a recognised step towards a fulfilling, innovative and successful career as an interaction designer, visual designer, user researcher, or user experience specialist within the digital services and digital product design field. 

The course has a strong reputation for producing industry-ready graduates who can think and execute design solutions across a range of digital, product and service formats.  

HND Visual Communication student wins 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 Time to Change | 2024 D&AD New Blood Winner | Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty | D&AD (dandad.org)

You will benefit from working in our dedicated UX Design studios and MacLabs to develop advanced specialist skills. The curriculum mixes research, problem-solving and teamwork skills with theory and practice in areas such as website and app design, digital publications, experiential spaces, design thinking processes, design sprints and motion graphics. This course includes training in Adobe Suite and a study trip to Berlin. 

We have an Education Network Membership with D&AD and our students regularly enter and win national and international design awards.

welovedesignetc | the design courses blog for BA (Hons) and HN Vis Comm at Edinburgh College

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 UX/UI Design and Visual Communications.

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

Year one:

• Visual Communication Introduction
• Working in the field of Visual Communication
• Art & Design Context
• Art & Design Project
• Typography Introduction
• 2D Computer Animation
• Web Design
• Digital Imaging
• New Media
• Creative Project for Artists & Designers
• Graded Unit 1

Year two:

• Information Graphics Advanced
• Web Design Project
• Digital Imaging Project
• Compositing for Motion Graphics
• Advanced Compositing for Motion Graphics
• Design Production
• Creative Arts Project (Development)
• Creative Arts Project (Production)
• Preparing for a Role in the Field of Visual Communication
• Portfolio Production
• Graded Unit 2

How the course is assessed

• Assessment is through practical projects where students tackle a range of client-initiated briefs, design competitions, and studio projects 
• The curriculum mixes research, problem-solving and teamwork skills with theory and practice in digital and experiential design 

Number of days per week

• 3 days per week 

Entry requirements

• Year one: Two Highers or relevant Btec 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 an understanding of the creative process 
• Adult learners with relevant employment/life experience/skills will be considered for entry to this course

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

Applicants for this course are required to submit a Digital Portfolio and will be invited to a portfolio review session.

Specific information on Digital Portfolios and review Sessions for the course you have applied for will be sent to you after you submit your online application form.

For more information and advice on your portfolio please read the Art and Design Application and Portfolio Guide This includes advice on the content, formatting and size of your portfolio but also information on the portfolio review process, what to do if you don’t have a portfolio and the support available for Teachers supporting School pupils preparing portfolios for Art and Design courses. 

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English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

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 dependant on each institution’s specific entry requirements, for example:

• Digital Interaction Design BSc (Hons) or Product Design BSc (Hons) DJCAD
• Graphic Design BA (Hons) or Product Design Design BA (Hons) ECA Second-year entry
• Communication Design BA (Hons) RGU Grays School of Art
• Communication Design BA (Hons) or Interaction Design BA (Hons) GSA
• Communication Design BA (Hons) or Fashion Communication BA (Hons) HWU
• Digital Media and Interaction Design BSc (Hons) or User Experience Design BSc (Hons) 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 dependant on each institution's specific entry requirements.

Career options

• UX/UI Designer
• Art Director
• Web/App Designer
• Product Designer