Design

Our design courses are created with industry in mind, and we aim to prepare you for the workplace by the time you graduate.

Work on real industry projects

Gain hands-on experience through live briefs from major brands. Our students have collaborated with high-profile clients such as Nike, British Airways and Cardiff Blues.

Create work that gets recognised

Follow in the footsteps of our award-winning graduates, whose work has featured on BAFTA and Oscar-nominated films and games.

A studio experience that mirrors industry

Create, collaborate and pitch in professional standard design studios, including dedicated creative spaces and an industry-style presentation room.

Gain valuable experience

All our design courses integrate real client briefs, giving you varied, practical projects to showcase your skills.

Celebrated by leading creative awards

Our students have been recognised at major competitions, including the D&AD New Blood Awards, the Young Creative Network Awards and the Carmelite Prize.

A student with pink and brown hair is sitting in a studio, working on a laptop and smiling.

Interior design student sat at desk working

Graphic communication lecturer showing working with two students in the classroom.

Illustration student standing next to a printer on campus

Graphic Communication - BA (Hons)

Be inspired by the world of graphic design and learn to think and practice like a creative designer with this industry-facing degree course.  

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Graphic Communication - MA

Take your design career to the next level with MA Graphic Communication - where bold ideas, critical thinking and creative collaboration come together to shape original, impactful work.

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Illustration - BA (Hons)

Illustration is an essential part of our language Learn how to use your artistic skills to communicate, connect, inform and educate across a variety of media. 

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Interior Design - BA (Hons)

Become a creative, thoughtful and professional designer at USW. Experience industry-focused teaching from day one with real-world briefs to kickstart your career in this exciting field.

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TV and Film Set Design - BA (Hons)

Immerse yourself in the exciting world of film and television production design by learning design processes, art directing short films and preparing to step into film and tv art departments.

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Did you know?

100%

of USW BA (Hons) Graphic Communication students were satisfied with their course.

National Student Survey 2026

100% of USW BA (Hons) Interior Design students were satisfied with their course. (National Student Survey 2026)

Did you know?

#1

Graphic Design at USW is top for Teaching Quality in Wales. (Guardian University Guide 2026)

100% of USW BA (Hons) Interior Design students were satisfied with their course. (National Student Survey 2026)

Inside the subject

TV and Film Set Design student working in a studio in Cardiff Campus.

Design facilities that work for you

USW students have access to professional-standard facilities, including virtual production and green screen spaces, TV studios, life drawing rooms, PC and Mac labs, and workshops with 3D printers and laser cutters, supporting high-quality work across a range of design disciplines.

Creative Graduate Festival

Creative Graduate Festival is a showcase of final-year work from students across the USW Creative. It highlights the ideas, skills, and projects developed by students as they prepare for careers in the creative industries.

Creative Graduate Festival

Discovering what design really means at USW

Aidan Hayes

Graphic Communication student

Turning creativity into a career

Filip Lewkowicz

Interior Design student

Bringing stories to life at USW

James Frith

TV, Film and Set Design student

Bringing ideas to life through illustration

Meg Kingsbury

Illustration student

Designing for the screen at USW

Kirsty Dunlop

TV, Film and Set Design student

An interior design student working on her laptop in a classroom and smiling at the camera.

From childhood passion to professional path

Bruna Soares

Interior Design student

My journey into graphic communication and the creative life in Cardiff

Callie Morgan

Graphic Communication student

An Open Day sparked my passion for Illustration

Spoonie

Illustration student

A TV and Film Set Design student measuring props for a set.

Learning through industry links

Leah Parkin

TV, Film and Set Design student

Cardiff and USW were the perfect match for my design career

Abby O'Brien

Graphic Communication student

Illustration student, James, is leaning his elbow on a printer whilst talking and gesturing.

Becoming the illustrator I always wanted to be

James Taggart

Illustration student

Discovering my passion for Graphic Communication

Ollie Clutton-Latham

Graphic Communication student

Graphic Communcations

Graphic design is more than visuals, it’s how ideas connect, persuade and make a difference. Our Graphic Communication course is built for creative thinkers who want to develop professional skills and enter the industry, whatever their background. Learn how to turn ideas into clear, effective visual communication.

Find out more about Graphic Communcations Graphic Communications = creative problem solving

Explore our facilities

Design facilities

Work in industry-standard Mac suites with drawing tablets and Adobe software, supported by dedicated technical staff. You'll also have access to specialist print and making facilities, helping you bring your illustration ideas to life.

Your student experience

Students' Union

Four students sat on steps outside the Cardiff Campus.

Support and Wellbeing

Student holing a lacrosse stick and wearing a USW Women’s Lacrosse tshirt.

Clubs and Societies

Take a virtual tour

Study in the heart of Cardiff

Cardiff is one of the most affordable cities in the UK too, so it’s perfect for cash-strapped students. There’s always something happening or new places to discover.

Cardiff Campus