Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual Communications and Design CW088

Wexford Campus

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Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual Communications and Design CW088

What is the Course about?

Visual Communications and Design takes it roots from graphic design. Students will create projects in design (graphics, illustration, branding, advertising, editorials/magazines and signage), digital media (websites, mobile devices and games) and the moving image (video and animation). The overall programme is structured around studio practice, where students create designs set by project briefs where they can experiment and explore creative and innovative ideas.

The aim of the programme is to facilitate the transformative process of novice student to creative practitioner through the development of key skills in creative problem solving, design principles and practices, project management, communication and collaboration, technical design skills, marketing and entrepreneurship.

The BA (Honours) in Visual Communications and Design is a four year course, with exit awards at the end of year two (corresponding to a Level 6 Higher Certificate Qualification) and at the end of year three (corresponding to a Level 7 Ordinary Degree Qualification).

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

The student will develop a portfolio of works to include designs in graphic design, digital media and video. Career opportunities include graphic design, web design, motion design, game design, interactive and multimedia design, communications, exhibition design, advertising, marketing, e-business and education.

What follow-on study opportunities are available?

Graduates may progress to Masters or Doctoral level and /or become members relevant professional bodies or progress to study design or other related subjects to professional level.

What exemptions will I receive?

N/A

What subjects will I study?

Year 1	Year 2
Mandatory Subjects: Visual Studies Digital Media Photography & Video Art and Design History Cultural & Critical Studies	Mandatory Subjects: Creative Studio Professional Practice Art and Design History Media Arts Marketing Film Studies

Year 3	Year 4
Mandatory Subjects: Creative Studio Community Based Practice Media Systems Marketing Management Communications and Semiotics Professional Practice	Mandatory Subjects: Creative Studio Media Systems Entrepreneurship e-Business

Year 1 The first year of the course is a common/core first year where both design and art students share the same space, allowing for integration of ideas and exploration centered on key concepts and theories of design and art. Students explore design principles and processes and develop skills in typography and image manipulation.

Year 2 Students focus on project briefs in new media design, and experiment with design of interfaces for web, motion graphics, animation, games, video and mobile device interfaces.

Year 3 Project briefs are based around surface design where students display an identity campaign for a community organisation in an end print, advertising, packaging and new media. Students also create a personal portfolio of their designs.

Year 4 Students undertake a major design consultancy project with a real life client, taking the brief through the design process to an end product. As a minor project students design an editorial for a newspaper/magazine. Students also further develop their personal portfolio of design.

What are the minimum entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate: Six leaving certificate subjects at least two of which should be at a minimum of Higher Level Grade C. Four other subjects at minimum Ordinary Level Grade D. Subjects must include Irish or English at minimum level Grade D. There is no mathematics requirement.

Mature applicants: will be interviewed and assessed on an individual basis for entry to the course.

Special Features:

Studio work in year 2, 3 and 4 of the programme is centred around themes (year 2 - new media, year 3 – surface design and year 4 – design consultancy) allowing the student to develop their personal portfolio containing designs across print, media, animation and the moving image.