Graphic Design and Advertising

The undergraduate degree in Design has two majors: graphic design and advertising or industrial design. Student acceptance in each of the majors will depend on the results of an interview and on the assessment of the students’ portfolios.

Throughout the course, students will be assessed for their assignments, which will be proof of their learning path and there will be no tests or formal written exams. Instead, there will be portfolio weeks, during which time they will show their assignments to a jury, who will give them proper feedback. Students are encouraged to exhibit their work, to make oral presentations, to share their ideas. This course prepares students with fundamental skills so they can navigate in the world of design. In this learning process, theory is combined with practical tasks and assignments carried out in workshops. The program includes subjects based on technical and theoretical knowledge, which together ensure that students are proficient users of adequate software and other digital/ technical tools, as well as enabling them to contextualize their work.

Apart from classes, there are several field trips, real and collaborative projects and several seminars and workshops. Students are also expected to create their own event in which different guest speakers will lecture on a chosen topic from graphic and/or industrial design. The degree also creates opportunities for students to work with international partners, either through the Erasmus Program, Porto Design Factory or the Product Development Project (organized by the Finnish Aalto University), which will make students profit the most from their time at ESMAD.