Welcome to the Fda Graphic and Spatial Communication home site. This site contains information about this degree course, its structure, examples of students work and how to apply.
You can use the menu on the right or the index below to navigate the site. The index is available at the bottom of every page. Click on wiki at the top right of this window to come back to the home page.
STUDENTS WORKING IN THEIR DESIGN STUDIO
Course Description
The Fda Graphic and Spatial Communication is a 3D course that integrates environmental graphics & 3D spatial design , with a strong focus on user experience. This integrated approach reflects significant changes in the design industry where design is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary.
This means that as society became more complex and diverse, many designers started working across disciplines rather than specialise in one area, in order to engage with and integrate user experiences. So graphic communication isn't restricted to 2D media and 3D spatial design isn't restricted to interior design. For example, many graphic design projects require knowledge and understanding of 3D spatial design and many interior design projects incorporate branding and identity.
This course offers you a unique opportunity to cross boundaries and apply visual communication across a range of 3D applications and environments such as, but not limited to, installations, exhibitions, retail and leisure environments.
Below are a few companies and designers who work across boundaries and to whom we refer throughout the course:
IDEO, Why Not Associates, Imagination, Pentagram, Fitch, Ben Kelly, Designers Republic, Studio Myerscough, Dalziel & Pow, FAT.
Download our course leaflet:
STUDENTS TESTIMONIALS
Students recorded this short film as part of their degree show, which took place at LCC from 30th of June to 8th of July 2011. Click on the play button to view the film.
This testimonial came from Carlo Viscione (Fda Graphic and Spatial Design 2009-11) in an email sent to Valerie Mace, Course Director, on 13th of July 2011:
'I can only summarise my experience during the past two years on which I have been on the course as life changing. You and other members of staff have taught me new ways of thinking, skills and encouraged me on every step of my way and I think if I would have chosen to do graphic design as I have initially planned, I would not have had such a great time at college. The course has enabled me to start developing my own personal style using simple sketching techniques (to which I was very sceptical about in the beginning) and CAD and 3D-visualisation tools. It also has shown me how important it is to be able to develop that initial idea and to bring it to a level where it could possibly be build. I felt that I learned a lot during the group work projects, even though they were not my strength. It has shown me where I have to focus and to improve. I also thoroughly enjoyed the work experience, which I think brings a whole new dimension to the course in terms of what it means to be a designer in the real world.
I wish to thank you very much for all your hard work and hope to see you around in the next year in the college. Carlo'
To find out more about the our graphic and spatial design alumnus, go to the External Links page on this site.
On cross-disciplinary design
Design Week Volume 25, No. 15, 15/04/10
Extracts from: COMMENT by Lynda Relph-Knight
"More collaboration across disciplines could help reinvigorate the industry [...] The spirit of cross-disciplinary collaboration has long been in design and has prompted deals such as that struck by branding group Identica and Interiors Consultancy Your Studio this week to work on joint projects. There are many precedents for this [...] Branding group Elmwood, for example, is reportedly poised to announce a similar arrangement [...] Most have been prompted by client demand [...] there is also a desire for growth among independent specialists [...] to reach new markets or maximise their hold on existing ones [...] But there is another element at play - the need to step into the unknown and stretch your self creatively [...] Scott cites the Royal College of Art where, he says, you are likely to find the best graphics in, say, the architecture department, and students experiment across disciplines. If this approach can be instilled more firmly in consultancy life, design could take a much-needed turn in direction."