Why I chose to study Graphic Design online
21 January 2025
We chatted to Graphic Design MA (Online) student Dalal Elsamannoudi about her interest in design, her experience studying online and her ambitions for her work to change the world.
Why are you interested in graphic design?
For a long time, I struggled to express my feelings, keeping everything inside, which had a real impact on my wellbeing. When I discovered graphic design, it changed everything. It gave me a voice, a way to communicate without needing words. Through design, I can turn my emotions and ideas into something tangible, something that resonates with others. It is how I connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. So why am I interested in it? Because graphic design is not just what I do, it is how I tell my story.
As a Saudi Arabian designer with a deep appreciation for the role of culture in design, how would you say your background and culture impact on your work?
Moving to the UK was like starting over. It felt like I had to rediscover myself, my personality, and everything I thought I knew. My art, which was deeply rooted in Islamic traditions with geometric shapes and Arabic calligraphy, was suddenly exposed to the UK’s incredibly diverse culture. It was both a challenge and an opportunity to adapt. What makes my work unique as a Saudi Arabian designer is that, even as I embraced this diversity, I always left my signature in every piece I created. I designed bilingual typefaces that honour and respect both cultures, creating a bridge between them. Living in the UK has deeply impacted my work, making it a blend of tradition and modernity, a foundation and a muse. It inspires me to connect the past with the present and share my heritage with a global audience.
What made you choose Falmouth's online master’s in graphic design?
It feels like this course chose me rather than the other way around. After graduating from another university with a BA in Graphic Design during the pandemic, I felt like there was a gap in my learning experience. The challenges of studying during COVID, with limited interaction, disrupted routines, and online classes, took so much away from the hands-on collaborative experience I had imagined for my undergraduate years. I graduated feeling like I still had so much more to learn.
For a year after graduation, I searched endlessly for jobs and internships but found nothing. That period of uncertainty made me realise that I was not ready to stop growing as a designer. I wanted to build on what I had learned, fill the gaps from my undergraduate experience, and still keep the flexibility to look for work. When I started exploring online courses, Falmouth’s online master’s in graphic design immediately stood out.
At first, I was hesitant; online learning during COVID had not been ideal for me, so I was not sure if it would work again. But Falmouth’s course offered something different; it was designed for flexibility and real-world application, not as a reaction to a crisis. It felt like the opportunity I needed to deepen my skills, regain what I had missed, and grow into the designer I wanted to become. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made.
How did the course help your practice to evolve?
The course helped me build a portfolio that truly reflects my growth as a designer. I explored creative typefaces, experimented with different layout designs, and even worked on social change projects that pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me connect with people in meaningful ways. It taught me how to bring together typography, culture, technology, and storytelling to communicate ideas more effectively. The blog posts we wrote were especially valuable, as they gave me space to reflect on my work and think more deeply about my creative process. Overall, it helped me create work that is both thoughtful and impactful.
Doing the MA felt like the opportunity I needed to deepen my skills, regain what I had missed, and grow into the designer I wanted to become. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I have made.
What was it like studying online?
Studying online definitely had its perks, but it also came with its challenges. One of the biggest advantages was how it helped me improve my time management skills. The flexibility of an online programme allowed me to focus on my studies while balancing other parts of my life. I loved the fact that I could travel anywhere in the world and still have the ability to attend classes and work on projects without missing a beat. It gave me a sense of freedom that a traditional programme might not have offered.
While I valued the convenience, I did sometimes miss having a real sense of community; meeting people face-to-face, collaborating in person, and building connections beyond the screen. Despite this, studying online turned out to be a great experience overall. It taught me independence, adaptability, and how to make the most of a digital learning environment, which are skills I know I will carry forward in my career.
What projects are you currently working on?
As a designer, I find myself leaning more towards typography and editorial design. There is something incredibly fulfilling about creating a typeface from scratch – one that starts as a traditional art form, not just a digital creation, and evolves into a fully formed glyph. It is a process that makes me feel alive and deeply connected to my work. Currently, my projects are all focused on typography and layout design. I have created eight typefaces in total, two of which were developed during this course. These two typefaces not only helped refine my skills but also made my portfolio stand out, leading to an exciting opportunity as a graphic designer for a major company. Typography is where I truly feel at home, and it continues to shape both my creative journey and professional growth.
I am also working on my master’s Final Major Project which I want to be more than just a graduation piece. I want it to live on and evolve even after I finish my degree. The project explores the connection between biology and typography, inspired by my own health challenges and reflections on the constant cycle of growth, decay, and regeneration within our cells. This led me to merge biology – which sustains the body – with typography – which fuels communication – to visually represent the concept of change.
My goal is to create a typeface that embodies the qualities of macrophages, fluid yet structured, organic yet functional, creating a visual language that bridges the worlds of biology and typography. This project is my way of ensuring my work remains meaningful, impactful, and alive long after graduation.
What are your ambitions for the future?
My ambition is to change the world through my designs. I want every design I create to tell a meaningful story and leave a lasting impact, helping to make the world a better place. As someone who embraces both Eastern and Western cultures, I aspire to bridge the gap between them through design. My goal is to foster a sense of unity and understanding, creating a community where people accept, respect, and celebrate one another. I want to use design as a tool to spark dialogue, curiosity, and empathy.
Ultimately, I dream of establishing a studio where creativity and purpose come together, collaborating on projects that empower voices and celebrate diversity. Maybe I will even pioneer a new movement in typography – one that reflects the dynamic beauty of life and brings people closer through the power of design.