Project Summary

Distinction
The Chelsea Perspective

A printed and digital compendium of the greatest
works and invaluable insights from the best
and brightest graduates of Chelsea's prestigious
BA Graphic Design Communication degree.

Twenty one graduates, excelling across the
spectrum of the graphics industry, share their
projects, opinions and advice on key issues within
the expanding field of graphic design today.

Commenting on Chelsea's curriculum and
educational philosophy, this book and Internet
resource aims to bridge the gap between
studentship and professional practice, by
transcending beyond mediocrity to distinction.

The intent is to offer alternative insights
to successful project development, and help
articulate the various methods of succeeding
in today’s diverse and competitive graphic
design industry.


Context

Graphic design has evolved significantly: Where once
the roles and responsibilities were distinct and divided,
the progression of technology has amalgamated these
once separate tasks, onto the single shoulders of the
modern day graphic designer.

This progression has prompted different opinions
on what should be taught on graphic design courses,
in the importance of idea conceptualisation versus
technical proficiency, and breadth over depth.

The project aims to indirectly highlight some of these
issues through the comments and opinions given by past
students, and provide alternative insights into the diverse
range of conceptual and technical skills required in the
expanding field of graphics; helping young designers to
transcend the gap from studentship to professionalism,
and from mediocrity to distinction.


Rationale

The skills and abilities required of a graphic designer vary
depending on the particular brief and the graphic specialism
it falls under. Where some of the dos and don'ts can be
simply taught and easily explained, many are believed to
be better learnt with examples, exposure and experience.

With Chelsea’s reputation for producing top quality work
and industry-ready graduates, there lies a tremendous
resource and opportunity to analyse the most successful
outcomes from the course and the reasons behind each
project’s inherent success. While anyone can give out
‘free’ advice, I believe that their validity rests on
who is giving them and how much they actually know
about what they are talking about.

The publication hopes to demystify aspects of the design
process to help improve a designer’s potential, while also
highlighting some of the inherent academic issues within
graphics, in the mixed opinions on what is important when
transcending to professional practice.