This course is RECRUITING NOW.

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 Faculty 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 students 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

There are three main stages to this programme:

Stage 1

Through a series of projects and assignments, you will explore a set of fundamental questions to define concepts relating to contemporary professional practice such as 'what is design?' and 'what is criticism?'. You will also be introduced to a general overview of design history and theory, sequential structures, research methods and the theories and principles of journalism and criticism.

Stage 2

You will examine, in more depth, the profession of design journalism and criticism exploring the nature of professional practice and the position of design within contemporary debates and the role of criticism. You will consider multicultural perspectives and rhetoric in design and writing as well as examining how new technologies are creating new venues for design journalism/criticism.

Stages 3 and 4

You will have the opportunity to develop an agreed, self-initiated major project, either a traditional written thesis or one with supporting practical work.

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.

AHRC Studentships: Application information (PDF 18KB)

Application deadlines for UK/EU students

Submission deadline for Autumn Term Start Courses
We recommend that UK and EU students submit an application by Friday 14 May 2010*. Applications will be considered and decisions will be communicated no later than Friday 25 June 2010.

Summer vacation period
Where places are still available after Friday 25 June 2010, we will continue to accept applications until Friday 13 August 2010*. Applications from UK/EU students will be considered and decisions will be communicated no later than Friday 10 September 2010.

*Note:The Deans of Faculty reserve the right to both extend deadlines or bring forward deadlines for individual courses at their discretion.

Application route

You need to apply to this course through the College. UK and EU students should download this application form (PDF 4MB). International students should use the international postgraduate application form which is available to download on the International Office's web pages.

Admissions enquiries

For enquiries about admissions please call the postgraduate admissions team on +44(0)20 7514 6400 or email pgadmissions@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for UK and EU student enquiries) or v.gavulic@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for international enquiries).

Scholarships

Find out about AHRC scholarships.