Jump directly to main content Jump directly to menu

BA Graphic Design – Project Development Journals


Peeling away the creative process.

Year 1 / Level 4

Although physical sketchbooks are used for ideas generation, and experimentation with traditional techniques and materials, students on our degree course submit all of their work in a digital project development journal (PDJ). This includes everything they have produced, from research and development stages, to their final outcomes.

The digital format allows students to add, refine, and change the order of content, which is more difficult to do with a traditional sketchbook.

The following examples demonstrate the ways in which our students work. and how they present their final project development journals for assessments.

Click here to download the full PDF covering Project Development Journals

Example 1

Creating work that is neat and follows a structured layout sets the scene for the style of your project development journals throughout your three years of study. However, there is flexibility in the page designs that allow you to create layouts that are different from project to project.

This project development journal shows work from a Level 4 student’s Fundamental Typography module.

“I studied at Doncaster for a good few years and I did really enjoy my time there. I learnt a lot and achieved two qualifications here. It has everything you need and brilliant staff and lecturers too!”

Example 2

Once you understand and master the process of creating commercially viable design work, you will have the opportunity to apply your creative and technical skills to client projects.

Students find local businesses in need of rebranding and offer to provide a new visual identity to update their current designs.

The examples here are taken from a student’s project development journal for the Visualisation module.

Example 3

The projects for this module are connected to the Visualisation brief, in terms of producing work that has a commercial focus.

You will be able to choose from a range of design competitions for renowned products and organisations, that cover a number of disciplines that include:

  • visual identity
  • editorial design
  • advertising
  • website
  • onscreen promotional design

This project development journal shows work from a level 4 student’s Design Processes and Theory module.

Example 4

As well as working on practical projects, you will also spend time analysing a wide range of local,  national, and international design companies.

The objective of the Studio Practice module is to raise awareness of the industry in relation to commercial practices, client listings, and career opportunities.

Other elements of the module includes the creation of an ongoing journal/diary, as well as building and adding to a portfolio of design work as you progress through each year of your degree studies.