What will I learn on this module?
This module focuses on the principles and practices of responsible branding and with consideration given to packaging design. You will explore how to apply sustainable, ethical, and/or socially aware thinking to creative branding and/or packaging solutions. Responsible branding extends beyond environmental considerations; it encompasses ethical obligations regarding the products, services, or clients you represent. A brand’s truth must be authentic, and as designers, we hold a responsibility to avoid misrepresentation or misleading our audience. Through this module, you will be expected to integrate your conceptual and practical graphic design knowledge and skills, developing those through to production considerations such as materials, waste reduction, afterlife and or environmental impact. Additionally, you will critically consider the ethical dimensions of your proposals, including the transparency and accuracy of your brand positioning and messaging. You will be tasked with developing branding and/or packaging designs that not only meet the conceptual, practical and aesthetic needs of the project but also reflect a commitment to societal responsibility. This includes making informed decisions about materials, production processes, and the long-term effects of your designs on both people and the planet. You will have the opportunity to work independently, taking responsibility for your creative process and demonstrating your ability to evaluate and refine your work. Your progress and decisions will be documented in your Working Journal, culminating in a final submission that reflects your understanding of branding and packaging as graphic designers, and your responsibility to make informed, ethical design choices while contributing to a more sustainable and transparent design industry.
How will I learn on this module?
This module offers you an authentic opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and core skills in the execution and delivery of an authentic and immersive graphic design project brief.
This module will help develop understanding and independence in the creative process and allow you to build confidence in your ability to practice as an independent graphic designer.
As a creative practice module, you will exercise various practical strategies designed to help navigate the creative process.
You will learn through a series of activities including workshops and studio-based critiques. You will be responsible for managing your workload and for driving the project forward. This structure will challenge thinking around process and practice whilst opening new, authentic and efficient ways to operate as a designer.
You will be supported through the module by technical staff who will provide specific intermediate support in:
Technical demonstration and support in the Adobe Creative Cloud tools depending on the needs of the module brief. (This could include InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Dimensions, Firefly, Premier Pro, After Effects, XD as well as other 2-D and 3-D visualisation software and techniques)
Access and support to making, finishing, prototyping, model making, book binding, physical 3-D visualisation techniques and finishes.
Studio Photography, lighting, creative techniques and image creation.
Technical staff will provide specialist workshops and on-going consultancy support throughout the module. You will also have access to the technical resource centre who can loan you any specialist equipment needed for your project outcome.
You will continually develop a professional and intellectual understanding of your role as a contemporary graphic designer through the authentic experience of reflection, presentation and creative process, mirroring industry practice and intellectual processes.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Support and feedback will be provided throughout the module.
Staff contact
Module tutors will provide academic support.
Informal staff-student critiques will help you to discuss, understand, develop and inform design project specifics in a collaborative way.
Formal group critiques, mirroring industry practice allow for detailed project critique, evaluation and feedback on the development of the creative responses.
Project requirements are normally introduced via a briefing session, where the module will be fully explained.
Blackboard will be used to communicate all relevant module information, updates or modifications.
Studio contact time
Delivery is through a blend of lectures, studio-based critiques, practical demonstrations and independent learning.
Studio Culture is an important aspect of your development. It also mirrors industry practice.
Independent study hours should be utilised to continue the development and progression of your studio-based practice.
Peer and independent support
Studio culture and independent study also supports personal development and fosters an appreciation and evaluation of your own and your peer’s working practices.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding (KU):
Demonstrate and analytically evaluative the application of enhanced graphic design processes in the creation of original and effective graphic design outcomes with consideration given to the visual creation and projection of a brand personality. (KU 1)
Demonstrate a transitional ability to analyse responsible issues, sustainability, ethics, and social impact in the actualisation of graphic design solutions for branding and/or packaging. (KU 2)
Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities (IPSA):
Demonstrate proficiency in generating original creative and conceptual ideas through the confident deployment of creative graphic design processes to communicate appropriate outcomes in the creation of identity designs and systems. (IPSA 1)
Show knowledgeable awareness in the identification, interpretation, development and experimentation in solving 2D and 3D branding and/or packaging problems. (IPSA 2,3,4)
Personal Value Attributes (PVA):
Demonstrate advanced appreciation and competent use of craft and technical skills through sustained engagement, iterative ideation, reflection and refinement. (PVA 1,2)
Evaluate self-directed project management skills to a proficient level displaying both conceptual and aesthetic approaches to graphic outcomes for Identity design, branding systems and/or packaging design. (PVA 2,4)
How will I be assessed?
The assessment and feedback strategy for this module is;
a. Formative assessment
You will receive verbal formative feedback both individually and in groups throughout the module. This feedback will facilitate the development of your assignment. This feedback will allow you to reflect upon your own work and act upon feedback prior to final submission.
b. Summative assessment
The summative assessment is a physical and digital portfolio comprising one or more design briefs. The brief(s) stipulate(s) outcome dimensions, format, and extent or equivalents.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This module is an opportunity to show more independence as a practitioner. You will demonstrate the summation of your graphic design knowledge, working practices and skills acquired on the programme so far. You will be expected to navigate the successful application of appropriate processes and methodologies associated with conceptual thinking and visual problem solving in the execution of an authentic graphic design practice-based brief. You will be expected to take more responsibility in the development and evaluation of your working practice and show more independence in your creative decision making and judgements, underpinned, validated and evidenced through your Working Journal and final submission.
This module offers you an authentic opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and core skills in the execution and delivery of an authentic and immersive graphic design project brief.
This module will help develop understanding and independence in the creative process and allow you to build confidence in your ability to practice as an independent graphic designer. You will also consider the impact of your design on the environment as part of your creative decision making with consideration given to the ethical, responsible and sustainable impacts of your design.
As a practical studio-based module there is an emphasis on creative practice. You will deploy strategies appropriate to help you manage and successfully navigate the creative process.
Course info
UCAS Code W215
Credits 40
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria School of Design
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025 or September 2026
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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