If you're like most people, you'll experience web design many times every day. We use websites, social media, and apps for entertainment and for organising our every day life. Web designers play an important part in our lives and in the business world, constantly creating new ways for us to access the web, and experience different types of content. This course aims to give you the skills and knowledge to take your first step in this innovative industry.

Web and digital design is a growing industry, and there is a big demand for skilled graduates who know how to design, produce and evaluate a wide range of digital products. We’ll give you the opportunity to gain the skills employers are looking for by looking at both the creative and technical aspects of web and content design.

In the first two years we’ll look at the technical side of web development, while also encouraging you to gain an in-depth understanding of web, visual design and the expanding area of user experience (UX). We’ll look at moving imagery too, specifically animations, videos and motion graphics.

The devices that people use to access the internet are changing all the time, so you’ll study how to design and create content and experiences for a range of screens, that users enjoy interacting with. Smartphones, tablets, watches and traditional computers will all be covered in the course. You’ll also have the chance to explore technical subjects, such as,

• Web development
• Artistic video effects
• Graphic design (UI and UX)
• Coding

We’ll get you working on projects in teams to create complex products. It’s all about helping you develop your technical, design and project management skills. You’ll gain invaluable experience – in fact, some projects may mean you end up working on a real product for an industry client.

To gain even more experience, you have the chance to take a placement with an employer after your second year. This is your opportunity to put what you’ve learnt into practice, broaden your range of skills and gain great contacts too. If you’re a student from within the UK or the EU and you have an idea for your own business, or you want to explore your entrepreneurial talents, you could even set up your own small company through our Enterprise Placement Year scheme.

Your Final Year gives you the chance to use the skills you’ve gained to create innovative digital projects. You’ll then have the opportunity to show this and other work to the public and to the industry, at our Showcase event at the end of the year.

Placements

This course offers you the chance to undertake an optional placement in Year 3. This opportunity helps you to build on the knowledge and skills developed on the course. You will be employed by the company for 12 months, but the actual number of weeks worked will be dependent on the annual leave entitlement you are given in line with the placement company’s policy.

The optional placement year is highly recommended as a means of becoming focused and raising personal knowledge and skills. With our support, you will have the opportunity to gain in experience, maturity and motivation and return better equipped to succeed in your studies and subsequently to secure the graduate job of your choice.

The Placement Unit team are regularly in contact with local and national companies. Previously companies such as Freeman Grattan Holdings, TopCashback and Kirklees Council have provided our students with placements. You can find more information on placements here.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. You can find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year.

Your Career

Previous graduates from courses in this subject area have gone on to work in a variety of roles such as graduate web design, user experience architect, digital graphic design manager and IT developer in organisations including the FGH (Freemans Grattan Holdings), Sky Betting & Gaming, Asda and Leeds City Council.**

Additionally, you may gain skills that are transferable to other industries and may be able to pursue any career that requires a good honours degree. You could also go on to further study and the University has many options available for postgraduate study which may interest you.

* Percentage of graduates from this subject who are in work and/or further study fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 17/18, UK domiciled graduates).