Graphic Design and Print
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Course Fee:
£495
- Start Date(s): 21 July 2025, 2 October 2025
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week or Thursdays 6 - 8:30 pm, ten weeks
- Study Mode(s): Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements: More information
Introduction:
Course dates:
21 - 25 July 2025, Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm
2 October - 4 December 2025, Thursdays 6 - 8:30 pm
Join an immersive, hands-on course in the art of screen printing, bookbinding, and zine-making that combines technical skills with creative expression.
You’ll dive into bold screen printing techniques, mastering how to layer colours and textures on paper and fabric for striking, multi-dimensional prints and channel these skills into creating your own zine (a small-batch, personal publication that brings together print, storytelling, collage, and typography) to tell a unique story.
This course celebrates creativity, collaboration, and experimentation, creating a space where you’ll bring your ideas to life alongside other passionate learners.
Whether you're new to graphic design and screen printing techniques or looking to refine your skills, this course will guide you through every stage of the process; from initial design concepts to the final, hand-bound zine and gently challenge you creatively.
By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with your own collection of vibrant prints and a fully realised, custom-made zine, along with the skills and confidence to continue exploring self-expression through print and design.
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You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your designs at home or work. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance from a well-respected University
What you’ll study
Immerse yourself in the world of graphic design and screen printing in this hands-on, creative course.
You’ll gain valuable experience creating unique prints, learning the essentials of design, and understanding the process behind storytelling in visual formats. By the end of the course, you will have created a complete, self-designed zine and a professionally bound book showcasing your work—a tangible portfolio that reflects your personal style and newfound skills.
During this course, you will:
- learn how to screen print on paper and fabric using a handbench and line table
- explore different techniques for transferring your designs and play with layering colours and textures to bring your ideas to life
- discover the essential principles of good graphic design, typography, and layout
- develop storytelling and narrative skills, discovering how to convey narratives visually
- experiment with multiple printmaking techniques, exploring various ways to create and refine your work
- get hands-on experience layering, understanding colour separation, and print variations
- gain hands-on experience in bookbinding, covering essential techniques to produce visually stunning and professional-quality books
- select materials, prepare pages, and bind them to create a unique zine.
You’ll also go on the hunt for inspiration with trips to the Dizzy Ink studio and Notts Zine Library, offering you a behind-the-scenes look at professional design studios and a chance to explore zines from artists around the world.
By the end of this course, you will leave with a rich portfolio of skills and projects that showcase your creativity and technical ability. You will have developed a deep understanding of screen printing, bookbinding, and zine-making, giving you the confidence to continue these practices independently.
Beyond technical skills, you’ll have gained an understanding of storytelling, narrative design, and layout principles of graphic design, empowering you to create visually compelling and meaningful works.
You will leave with a custom-made zine that you have conceptualised, designed, printed, and bound—an impressive testament to your artistic growth.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study:
- Introduction to Screen Printing: Foundations and Exploration
- Mastering Advanced Screen Printing Techniques
- Bookbinding and the Art of the Handmade Book
- Creating Compelling Zine Content
- Final Assembly and Presentation of Your Zine
Dive into the fundamentals of screen printing. You'll discover the origins and various applications of screen printing, exploring the materials and tools used to create stunning prints. Demonstrations will cover techniques including screen setup, stencil creation, and ink preparation. You'll create your first stencils and experiment with colour, layering, and texture.
Building on the basics, you’ll cover more advanced screen printing techniques that elevate your work. You’ll experiment with multi-layer prints, precise registration methods, and creative use of various inks and surfaces, including fabric and speciality papers.
You’ll focus on developing designs specifically for your zine, incorporating the unique characteristics of screen printing into your covers and interior pages. Through hands-on workshops and group critique, you'll troubleshoot techniques and refine your process to achieve clean, polished prints.
Explore the art and craft of bookbinding, learning how to transform your printed designs into a cohesive, bound work of art. You’ll cover a range of bookbinding methods, from simple saddle stitching to more complex binding techniques, giving you the knowledge to create professional-quality zines.
You’ll experiment with different cover materials and binding styles, customising each booklet to fit your creative vision. After gaining a strong foundation in bookbinding, you’ll start assembling blank booklets for zine production, sparking ideas for how to blend these techniques into your own projects. To inspire further, an afternoon trip to Notts Zine Library and Dizzy Ink studio will immerse you in zine culture and offer insights into diverse storytelling approaches.
With your printing and bookbinding skills sharpened, you’ll focus on developing unique content for your zine. You'll brainstorm ideas for storytelling, typography, and layout, considering how each page of your zine can express your personal voice.
Using printed elements from your earlier work, you'll begin drafting content, incorporating techniques like collage, illustration, and narrative design.
Guided by layout principles and creative experimentation, you’ll arrange and refine your work to form a visually engaging zine.
Group feedback throughout will provide constructive insights to help you shape your zine’s overall message and aesthetic.
The culmination of your hard work comes together when you add the finishing touches to your zine. You’ll have the opportunity to print additional pages or elements if needed, before assembling, binding, and trimming your completed work.
After your zine is fully realised, you’ll participate in a presentation, sharing your creations with the group and celebrating each other's creative journey. A reflective critique session offers valuable feedback and a chance to celebrate accomplishments.
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University.
Contact hours
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
This course builds practical skills and a portfolio that enhances career opportunities in graphic design, publishing, printmaking, and creative industries, positioning you for roles that value craftsmanship and visual storytelling.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the Nottingham School of Art and Design on the City Campus.
You'll find bright drawing and painting studio and workshop spaces to develop your ideas and create exciting work.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all
Entry requirement: Beginners as well as those with some graphic design and screen printing experience are welcome.
You must be over the age of 18 in order to attend this course.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £495.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, including great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
All your materials and equipment will be provided, but you may also want to bring with you:
- any specific materials you wish to experiment with, such as speciality paper or fabric
- a sketchbook or notebook for ideas and notes
- any personal images or inspiration for your zine content
- comfortable clothing that can withstand some ink or paint spills.
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation for a week long summer course?
Accommodation can be booked separately to the course; the rooms are only a few minutes’ walk from our studios and classrooms, and cost £259 per week.
These are single rooms with a private bathroom in shared apartments in Nottingham Trent University’s city campus accommodation, which is ideal if you're looking to be based in Nottingham's lively city centre and want an economical place to stay.
Find out more and book your accommodation here.
How to apply
You can book your place on this course for the following dates via the NTU online store:
21 - 25 July 2025, Monday to Friday
2 October - 4 December 2025, Thursdays 6 - 8:30 pm
Browse all design and digital arts short courses.
Any questions?
Contact the short course team:
Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813