Please note this course will not be recruiting students for entry in October 2012.

MA Design Writing Criticism features in Creative Review's 30/30 list celebrating what is exciting about the future. -- Creative Review, March 2010.

MA Design Writing Criticism named one of the 34 most interesting design programmes around the world - Print magazine, April 2009

This MA in Design Writing Criticism is the first course of its kind in Europe. As a student, you will have the opportunity to explore the impact of writing and criticism on contemporary design thinking and practice. You will also be encouraged to take advantage of our strong links with editors, journalists and critics working nationally and internationally in the magazine, newspaper and publishing industries.

The course takes as its starting point the way in which text, image and a combination thereof, may be used to carry a 'point of view'. You will examine the conventional written forms of design journalism and criticism and the nontraditional forms of the 'new visual journalism'. Divided into three main phases you will be introduced to design history/theory, professional practices and undertake a self-initiated major project.

The staff team is comprised of experienced design writers, practitioners and specialists in design history/theory, architecture and curation. Students will benefit from a guest lecture programme of visiting scholars and leading professionals.

This course is taught within the School of Design at LCC

Teal Triggs and Anna Gerber's Comment in Blueprint which discusses the need for Design Criticism courses
('Comment', Anna Gerber and Teal Triggs, published in Blueprint: the magazine for leading architects and designers, Issue 259, October 2007, 503kb)

What professionals say about the course

"The more people who can write fluently and accessibly about design, the more people will be able to engage with and understand what designers are trying to achieve. This is what makes this course a particularly timely, relevant and exciting proposition."
-- Caroline Roberts, Publisher and Editor, Grafik

"I hope such a postgraduate course in Design Writing Criticism will make us look at our trade more critically, and in the process, inculcate a social responsibility so lacking in a profession that is still very young."
-- Leon Leong Wai Pung, Minimus Design, Malyasia

Further information

Contact Professor Teal Triggs, Course Director (designate)
t.triggs@lcc.arts.ac.uk

Assessment

Project work, major self-initiated research project and final examination

Application

College interviews and portfolio reviews throughout the year

Award

University of the Arts London MA

Phase 1

• Unit 1.1 The Author & Critic 20 Credits
• Unit 1.2 Designing Histories of Practices 20 credits
• Unit 1.3 Type & Visual Languages 20 credits

Phase 2

• Unit 2.1 Research Methods (1) 20 credits
• Unit 2.2 Modes of Writing &
• Critical Practices 20 credits
• Unit 2.3 Research Methods (2) 20 credits

Phase 3

• Unit 3.1 Major Project: Practical + Report 60 Credits
  or
• Unit 3.2 Major Project: Thesis 60 Credits

All students leaving the course find their opportunities in the workplace have broadened with a focus on design journalism, writing and criticism. For those continuing with their own design practice, students have found their work to be enhanced by an appropriate reflective and critical understanding.

Further to the general entry requirements, a good command of English is essential. If you are applying directly from a BA Course, without experience of professional practice, you must be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of graphic design practice which will be supported by a good degree and portfolio of work - either written or practice-led.

International and EU students: If your first language is not English you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English. Further information is available on our International Applications page.

If you are a UK or EU student and you have an admissions enquiry please call the Information Office on +44(0)20 7514 6569. If your are a none-EU international student and you are unsure about how to apply, admission enquiries should be made through the International Office call +44 (0)20 7514 8138.

Please Note: This course will not be recruiting students for October 2012 but some aspects of the course may be incorporated into the new LCC Course Portfolio. Decisions on the content of the new course portfolio will be taken by the end of April 2012.

For more information about course changes at LCC visit our New Developments pages.