General Questions
Could you give an outline of each module project and what may be involved in them?
There are a total of 9 Modules/Projects on the course. Each project will end with a finished product or design.
The final module will be compiling all the work you’ve done on the course into a professionally made portfolio, which gets you ready for interviews within the design industry.
Below is the list of modules that we teach:
> Self-Branding
> Book Cover design
> Advertising
> Print & Pattern design
> Apparel Brand design
> Magazine/Editorial design
> UX/UI mobile interface design
This is then all brought together with:
> A Printed Portfolio/Book design
> A Portfolio Website design
How does your course compare to your competitors?
Our course is run with similar modules to our competitors, but each of the briefs has been written and curated by High-End Industry Professionals such as:
> Nick Williams (Ex-Head of Graphic Design @ Levi’s Jeans)
> John McFaul (Creative Director @ New Balance Trainers)
These briefs are specifically targeted to get you an Industry Ready portfolio. More importantly, our class sizes are a lot smaller. Each term (in the studio) we have on average 6 to 8 Students, this allows us to individually work with our students to help them achieve the best result.
We also help you after the course has ended in your search for employment. We assist you if you need advice on your portfolio and also assist in networking for you to help achieve your dream job.
What do you physically get out of the course (certificates/qualifications/etc)?
On completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate in Professional Graphic Design. It’s not a University degree but it is becoming more and more recognised in the industry as a Certificate of Excellence. You will also gain more experience and confidence than you would in a University environment, supported by a professionally made portfolio.
Are there final exams that you would need to pass to complete the course?
There are no final exams! The only requirements are for you to complete the modules set and meeting deadlines. You’re free to explore your creative mind-set as much as you want as long as you get the briefs completed.
Are there any written or essay submissions?
This course is purely practical. You will not be required to submit any written essays. We believe practical work is more beneficial to a designer than academic work.
Could you please state what the entry requirements are?
There are no Entry Requirements for this course. The only requirements are to know some basic computer skills, the rest will be taught to you while at the school. All we require is for our students to be passionate, enthusiastic, and have a willingness to learn.
How does enrolment work?
Our enrolment process is very simple.
Once you have completed the application form, all you need to do is take a photo/scan the form and send it back to us via Email. It will take a few business days for your payment to process, and once it has been cleared you will be sent an official enrolment email with your start date, confirmation of your place, and a warm welcome to the course.
What is the enrolment deadline?
This will depend on which start date you are interested in, but class sizes are limited to a maximum of 8 Students from the Full-time & Part-time courses. We recommend applying as soon as possible to secure your place.
I can’t draw very well, does that matter?
No! During the course the most you would be doing is rough sketches to develop your ideas. Your drawing ability will not affect your performance on this course, you will not be judged by your drawing ability, as long as you can mark-make you will be fine. We are a school about developing your ideas and confidence as a designer, not to put them down.
What are your office hours?
Our hours are Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5:00pm (GMT), but we are more than happy to assist students past these hours on discussion.
Payments/Costs
What are the prices/what courses do we offer?
We offer 3 types of courses here at the Strohacker Design School.
Full-Time course, attendance at the school is 5 days per week (over 3 months)
Cost: £8400
Part-Time course, 1 day per week attendance (over 6 months)
Cost: £7495
We also run an Online School
This can be completed in 3 – 9 months.
Hours are flexible and change depending on how quickly you complete the projects.
(Average 7 hours per week) for 9 months
Cost: £1999
Each course has instalment plans available on request.
Is there a payment plan?
We offer an instalment payment plan. The plan consists of paying 50% of the course upfront as a deposit, and the remainder will be spread across 5 monthly payments. You can also pay in full.
What programs/devices are needed?
Here at the studio, we have our own Apple iMac desktops for the students to use. Although we do ask for our students to purchase the Creative Cloud Bundle from Adobe as we use the following programs: Photoshop, Illustrator & InDesign. Students who sign up have access to a 65% student discount on the Adobe CC subscription.
What extra costs can I expect while studying?
The only additional costs consist of Adobe Creative Cloud, which can be discounted up to 65% with our student discount. (We can provide evidence of your enrolment if asked by Adobe to verify). You will need to fund the printing for the Magazine & Portfolio projects, so they can be professionally printed which on average costs around £20/£25.
Full-time Graphic Design Course
What teaching materials and guidance are provided for the Full-Time delivery?
Each of the modules has a Step-By-Step approach to the project. The modules will contain a brief which details what work is required by the end of the project and resources for you to use such as tutorial videos, creative assets like typeface and layouts, previous examples of student work, and more.
You will also be working within the studio environment, so you will be working alongside Bill & the guest tutors, as well as other students for inspiration and guidance.
How many hours study is expected/needed to put into each module?
On average you will be expected to put in 36 hours per week over 3 months, but this will be done within the studio environment.
If I apply for the course, is there a specific date for me to join?
If you wish to partake in the Full-Time course: YES. Refer to the website for start dates. The only restrictions are places as we take on a maximum of 6-8 students for both Full-Time & Part-Time courses.
Is the intensive 3-month course still available?
Yes. The Full-Time courses are still running during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have enforced safety measures within the studio to keep students and staff members safe. For further information, check out our FAQ on our COVID-19 Safety Measures.
Part-time Graphic Design Course
What teaching materials and guidance are provided for the Part-Time delivery?
Each of the modules has a Step-By-Step approach to the project. The modules will contain a brief which details what work is required by the end of the project and resources for you to use such as tutorial videos, creative assets like typeface and layouts, previous examples of student work, and more.
You will also be working within the studio environment 1 Day a week, so you will be working alongside Bill & the guest tutors, as well as other students for inspiration and guidance.
How many hours of study is expected/needed to put into each module?
On average you will also be expected to be within the studio 1 day a week, and work up to 7 hours per week in your own time on projects but we do offer online tutor support for this throughout the course.
Is the intensive 6-month course still available?
Yes. The Part-Time courses are still running during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have enforced safety measures within the studio to keep students and staff members safe. For further information, check out our FAQ on our COVID-19 Safety Measures.
If I apply for the course, is there a specific date for me to join?
If you wish to partake in the Part-Time course: YES. Refer to the website for start dates. The only restrictions are places as we take on a maximum of 6-8 students for both Full-Time & Part-Time courses.
What if I need help on self-directed days?
You can schedule a Zoom meeting with Bill once per week to go over any work you wish to get feedback on. Every week we will also send an email to check on your progress for the on-going module to see if you need assistance.
Online
What teaching materials and guidance are provided for the online delivery?
Each of the modules has a Step-By-Step approach to the project. The modules will contain a brief which details what work is required by the end of the project and resources for you to use such as tutorial videos, creative assets like Typeface and layouts, previous examples of student work, and more.
You can also schedule a Zoom meeting with Bill once per week to go over any work you wish to get feedback on. At the beginning of every week, we will also send an email to check on your progress for the on-going module to see if you need assistance.
Does the online course cover the same modules as the Full-Time/Part-Time?
Yes. All the modules covered within the online course are exactly the same as the in-house classes. The only difference is not being able to meet the guest lecturers, project time frames and you can stay in your pyjamas all day.
How many hours of study is expected/needed to put into each module?
On average you will be expected to put in 7 hours per week. But due to the nature of it being an online course, the hours are completely flexible.
If I apply for the course, is there a specific date for me to join?
For the Online course, No! We have amended this so students may sign up and join the school from any date.
Careers/Networking
Is this enough to then apply for jobs that require ‘graphics design experience’?
The experience you gain from this course is the equivalent of being a Junior Designer who’s been in the industry for a year or so. Bill and his team will train you personally, and assist you in building a full professional portfolio, and even help to make connections for you from their vast design network. We’ve had previous students go on to work for high-profile companies in Brighton, London, Europe, USA, and Australia.
What type of job can I get after this course?
Strohacker Design School prepares you for a large range of careers within the design world. The skills you obtain through this course will not limit you to one specific Graphic Design job.
For example, you could work as a freelance graphic designer, as one of our graduates, Jasmine King who has been working freelance, working on projects ranging from Illustrations to Website design. While other graduates, like Alice Croucher, have landed a career working in a design studio as a junior graphic designer working on Branding and Digital graphic design projects.
Do employers want graduates to have a diploma/degree?
The majority of employers looking for a Graphic Designer will be more interested in your portfolio work than your qualifications. With a portfolio, the employer can see what you can do from the get-go, without the need of testing you. Your portfolio shows your level of skill, the quality of your work, and your knowledge of the design world.
Do you have connections in the design industry?
Yes. Bill Strohacker is a practicing graphic designer with over 20 years of experience, and all of our guest tutors are well-known in the design world who share their experience of the industry. If there is a designer you wish to be connected to, Bill will contact them on your behalf, and even guest tutors will network with you!