Graphic design 2026 personal statement guide

Show you’re motivated and creative in a personal statement that will act as a written accompaniment to your portfolio. Admissions tutors would like to know about you, your inspirations, your aspirations, and innovations – and why they make you suited to a graphic design course. 

General advice about writing your personal statement

What do admissions staff at universities and colleges want to see?

Guidance and examples you can use

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples:

• What interests you about graphic design, and is there an area you’re particularly fascinated by, such as script typography or virtual reality (VR) design? Can you explain where that interest comes from, such as marketing you’ve seen on social media, or a VR exhibition you’ve been to?
• Have you been inspired by a designer you follow, a book you’ve read, or an exhibition you’ve seen? Perhaps you’ve been to a graphic design exhibition or attended an event because of the clever way the poster was designed. Critique what you liked about it.
• Mention where you might like to take this subject as a career, whether you want to work in education, marketing, business, or the charity sector. There are many opportunities to choose from!

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples:

• Can you highlight any projects or coursework you’ve done that’s relevant to your course, whether a piece of art, design or photography? Describe what you learned from carrying out that piece of work.
• Showcase your creative thinking and originality. Perhaps you designed the cover for a school magazine or show – was there anything you did differently with the font, texture or layout? Think of the skills you’ve gained too, like independent thought, critical thinking or challenging perceptions.
• Have you been involved in exhibitions or done any voluntary work that’s further developed your understanding of graphic design? You might have designed a poster for a charity or community event, or overseen social media graphics for an organisation. Expand on what you learned. 
• Have you done any online courses to boost your knowledge in the subject? For example, why not try Subject Spotlights or Virtual Work Experiences from Springpod to grow your skills and interest? 

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education, or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples:

• Think how you can show you’re ‘culturally, ethically and historically aware’, perhaps through a film or book club you’re part of, newspapers you read, evening classes you attend, or volunteering you do within the community.
• What hobbies do you enjoy and what do they say about you? They may relate to graphic design, for example designing a poster for a local event, or they may show other attributes such as perseverance when completing a project, whether on Minecraft or when learning a musical instrument.
• Can you demonstrate your flexibility and openness to new ideas and ways of working? That might come from part-time jobs you’ve done or a change in personal circumstances such as moving schools. How will this help you think in an innovative way on a graphic design course?

How to set yourself apart

The key to setting yourself apart in your application is to remember how important the ‘personal’ bit is to your personal statement. What makes you, you?

Admissions tutors are looking for people who are prepared to be bold and ‘challenge the status quo’. Perhaps you’ve subverted a genre in your artistic work somehow, or you’ve supported a cause you believe in. Show tutors you’ve got the creativity and innovation needed for a graphic design course.

You can also expand on techniques you’ve learned, whether that’s Lino or screen printing in art, and how that can translate into graphic design. Or maybe you’ve picked up some early business skills by designing and printing T-shirts, and selling them online.

You could also reference culture you enjoy, and how you’ve used those influences. Perhaps you watched animated documentary film Flee, which has inspired your own work or made you help a refugee charity with its graphic design for social media.

Reference any designers you enjoy and publications you read that have expanded your knowledge, such as Stefan Sagmeister, Design Week or Creative Review.