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What is the Course about?

The three-yearcourse is designed to facilitate a transition from novice student to creative practitioner. Students are taught a variety of design and praticalskills to achieve this. This highly practicalcourse features a studio environment where students complete projects in a variety of 2D design disciplines, such as: branding; illustration; packaging; typography; advertising; layout; signage; websites; mobile devices; games; moving image video and animation.

Visual communication and design is a problem-solving practice that uses image, text, print and screen to communicate messages. This discipline originates from graphic design and now incorporates the traditional skills of drawing, printing, photography, typography and other graphic processes with the new digital realms of video, sound and animation.

Special Features:

  • Studio-based programme with skills training across all media.
  • Students will be equipped with an industry level portfolio, covering a range of visual design avenues, opening a wide range of job opportunities.
  • Annual industry showcase event for final year students to exhibit work to potential employers.
  • Exit awards: Higher Certificate in Visual Communications and Design (NFQ Level 6) after Year 2.

Year 1

Module Name Semester
Art and Design: Themes and Contexts. (M) Semester1
Visual Studies - Colour, Drawing, 3D (M) Semester1
Visual Studies - Notebook Research (M) Semester1
Visual Studies - Skills Based Workshops (M) Semester1
Digital Media Design (M) Semester2
Photography and Video (M) Semester2
Visual and Material Culture (M) Semester2
Visual Studies Themed Project (M) Semester2

M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject

Year 2

Module Name Semester
Art and Design: Themes and Contexts. (M) Semester1
Creative Studio 1 (M) Semester1
Design Print Production (M) Semester1
Introduction to Marketing (M) Semester1
Marketing Mix (M) Semester2
Media and Communications (M) Semester2
Web Design Methods (M) Semester2

M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject

Year 3

Module Name Semester
Creative Studio 2 (M) Semester1
Marketing Management (M) Semester1
User Interface and Experience Design (M) Semester1
Web Development (M) Semester1
Information Design (M) Semester2
Professional Design Practice (M) Semester2
Socially Engaged Practice (M) Semester2

M is a mandatory subject - E is an elective subject

What are the minimum entry requirements?

  • 5O6/H7
  • English or Irish O6/H7

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Graduates may apply for entry to Year 4 of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Visual Communications and Design.

What exemptions will I receive?

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Notes

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What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Career opportunities for graduates of Visual Communications and Design are varied and they are in constant demand both in Ireland and internationally. Design careers exist across a wide range of industries including: graphic, web, motion pictures, computer games, interactive and multimedia industries and many more. Graduates also find careers in the broader marketing arena such as advertising, e-business and marketing.