How to be brave

This is a story about being brave. At the London College of Communication, (Design School) students on a number of courses can choose to create a four year degree, inserting a year in ‘industry’ into their studies. The landscape of internships, placements, self initiated projects and freelance are for most graduates a daunting prospect. Yet, our cohort on the Diploma in Professional Studies are midway through their academic career at the UAL and are embarking on a journey of portfolio reviews, meetings, coffees, lots of ‘no’s’, a number of ‘yes’s’, international travel, collaboration and an opportunity to be brave. To take chances, and to find out what it is that makes them tick creatively, and most importantly, how their brand of creativity sits within this world; our global creative industry.
Our students will be documenting and reflecting upon the experiences they have during the next year, not merely as a diary of what’s happening and where they are, but considering the themes and debates around design, modern working, internships and applied creativity across the board.

Our students will be documenting and reflecting upon the experiences they have during the next year, not merely as a diary of what’s happening and where they are, but considering the themes and debates around design, modern working, internships and applied creativity across the board.
The Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is a unique opportunity in UK Design education. Originating 40 years ago, the course was initially offered to students from BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design as an opportunity to mix industry practice and education in the third year of an extended four year BA (Hons) Degree.
In 2011 the Diploma was opened to students from BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media and BA (Hons) Interaction Design Arts, and has now become available for students studying BA (Hons) Graphic Branding & Identity, BA (Hons) Design for Art Direction, and BA (Hons) Information & Interface Design.
The Diploma in Professional Studies has been designed to allow students to learn in the most exciting and dynamic manner, alongside established industry practitioners in live situations in studios, galleries and on collaborative projects both in the UK and abroad.