Finding new direction with an online master’s in Graphic Design

Some of Filip's recent projects (above). More can be found on his website here.

After so many years in practice, I realised I needed someone who could challenge me to rethink what design is for. A mentor, a teacher, a guide who could help refine both my craft and my mindset. Falmouth proved to be the right place for that.

How did studying online fit around your creative work and business commitments?

It worked well and was a real help. When I started the course in September 2023, I was working as an in-house designer for a well-known company that produces fireplaces for the Western European market while also running my own solo business and taking on various projects.

Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone.

Falmouth’s flexibility made a big difference because both parts of my professional life could be demanding. My workdays often lasted up to 12 hours or more. Being able to organise my own timetable was essential. I often worked on assignments at weekends or late at night which helped me stay committed to both my work and my studies.

How did the course change or refine the way you approach design and branding?

In a profound way, starting with how I think about design.

One of the most valuable lessons came from tutor Ben Evan James who reminded us of a question every designer should ask before starting a task: “What problem are you solving”. Ben’s point that design solves problems was not new to me, but the way he framed it made me rethink my whole approach, especially in branding.

My Final Major Project focused on this idea, carrying out deep research and analysis in my Critical Report and then turning those insights into design outcomes in the Studio Practice phase. Interestingly, back in 2011, when I worked as a freelancer, I had my own brand and blog called Problem Solving Artist. Now that idea has come full circle and is once again central to how I understand design.

It is easy for designers to get lost in modular logos, AI tools, Adobe updates, client demands and constant market changes, and forget the basic truth that every design begins with solving a problem.

You mentioned collaboration as part of your Falmouth experience. What did that look like online?

The experience taught me something crucial about myself: growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. There was no other way than to schedule a meeting with a new mentor, open up, listen to feedback and accept comments from people I had never met, all within a digital environment.

I soon realised how valuable that process was, receiving feedback through the Idea Wall, sharing thoughts with peers and learning from mentors like Frauke and Ben. Without that collaboration and guidance, I would have lost my footing on tasks that were more complex than traditional design work.

That is the strength of Falmouth’s online setup. While it is flexible and independent, it also pushes you to connect with others on a very human level in a digital space. That balance changed how I collaborate as a designer and as a person.

What are you most excited to explore next, creatively or professionally?

Creatively, I am returning to my roots in typography. My journey began with graffiti, so everything started with letters. Recently I have been exploring blackletter calligraphy, studying the ancient Slavic and Croatian Glagolitic script and researching contemporary type and font design online. Bringing these together to create a series of hand-crafted artworks on paper, canvas or even walls feels like a personal and fulfilling direction.

Professionally, there is plenty that excites me. I am experimenting with AI tools, developing 3D skills in Blender and Spline, exploring animation and keeping up with developments in digital print.

We are living in fast moving times where innovation and technological progress are the norm, especially in personalisation and unique product design. I enjoy being part of a space where tradition and technology come together to create something new.

External links

https://filipkoric.com/