Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Graphic & Digital Design
Course Overview
-
4
-
4
Years
-
8
Level
-
*747
Points
-
US803
CAO Course Code
Why take this course?
As one of the top graphic design courses in Ireland, the BA (Honours) in Graphic and Digital Design will provide you with a unique and exciting educational experience while learning to become a designer. Built on a legacy of over 40 years of art and design, your creative talents will be nurtured by a team of lecturers who are passionate about their field. Within each design studio you will have your own designated work space where you will receive one-to-one tuition from staff who want your experience to be the very best and who understand that design learning must be tailored to the student’s distinctive creative flair and interests. You’ll be encouraged to follow your passion and to develop your design process through research and experimentation. At the same time, you will be exposed to a host of new, exciting disciplines and skills that will enhance your critical and theoretical thinking to help you advance your skills as a conceptual and strategic graphic designer. Over your design education journey, supported by committed staff, you will grow into a designer with broad knowledge and an informed world view, who can deconstruct communication problems, conceptualise and execute resolutions, and who can articulate and confidently present your creative work. You will have access to staff members with a very wide-ranging body of knowledge and experience in both visual communications and fine art practice, both at national and international levels. You are guaranteed one-to-one learner/ lecturer interactivity in a purpose-built environment with excellent personal studio space and production facilities.
What will I experience?
The programme comprises of a series of core pillars; design, image, studio practice and visual culture that advance over the four years.
1. Design – Provides the student with the technical skills, design knowledge and creative know how to utilise the design process in order to fulfil your design briefs. Allowing the student to become competent in creating communication systems across multiple platforms and media, including traditional design for print, design for screen, motion, user-interface and user-experience.
2. Image – Is the exploration of visual language where the student will learn to communicate and build narratives using illustration, photography, animation and film.
3. Studio Practice – Builds on Personal and professional development of the students within the studio environment, allowing the student to build their profile, grow in confidence and promote who they are as a designer. This is done through live client briefs, collaboration and work placement.
4. Visual Culture – Develops the students understanding of cultural, social and historical contexts in which the practice of art and design has evolved and, importantly, how it is essential to the development of the students’ studio practice.
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What opportunities might it lead to?
Design students at TUS Athlone have a track record of winning awards at local, national and international student’s assessment schemes and competitions. Graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects in Ireland and overseas, and are employed in graphic design for both print and screen, advertising agencies, publishing houses, printing, the arts, the film and television industries and in teaching roles in second level, PLC and third level courses.
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Additional Information
Assessment requirements
Change of mind deadline for this programme is Friday June 2nd at 5pm.
Change of mind applications are through the CAO website.
No further applications will be accepted after this date.
Applicants can choose to be assessed via one of the following options:
1. For assessment, we require that each applicant selects three of their best pieces of work. Each individual piece has a weighting of 200, the work submitted should represent the best traits of the candidate, the work can be in individual or related pieces. If the candidate’s strengths are in problem solving, they may submit research as one of the three. Again, work submitted reflects the strengths and personality of the candidate be that in illustration, typography, photography and/or research. When you have selected your three pieces mount them on A3 or A2 sheets of paper. You can present your 3 pieces in person on your assessment date or applicants can submit their 3 pieces digitally You can present your 3 pieces in person on your assessment date or applicants can submit their 3 pieces digitally if they wish by 5pm Friday 10th. If submitting digitally, photograph your work and save it as a pdf. Preferably, combine the three pdfs into one pdf file for submission. Assessment date is Friday 10th March 2023. For Change of Mind assessment, applicants will be invited to submit their work digitally by Friday June 2nd 2023 at 5pm.
Or alternatively
2. Applicants may choose to participate in an applied project, this will be carried out remotely/ electronically. Applicants who choose the applied project option will be issued with the project brief on Thursday 9th March. Staff will guide you in the process through workshops and live advice online. The resultant project will subsequently be assessed. Completed work must be submitted by Monday 13th March at 5pm. For Change of Mind applicants, only option 1, above, applies.
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Mature Applicants
TUS considers applicants who are 23 years or over on 1 January in the year of entry to be mature applicants. Such applicants may not be required to have the minimum entry requirements. However, TUS will look for satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s ability to pursue and benefit from the course. Knowledge and skills gained through experiential learning will be taken in account. Such applicants should apply through the CAO system, and will be required to present a portfolio and attend an interview at TUS Athlone as part of the selection process.
Course Details
- Course Duration:
- 4
- Course Duration:
- 4 Years
- CAO Course Code:
- US803
- Cut Off CAO Points:
- *747
- Course Award:
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
- Course NFQ Level:
- Level 8
- Department:
- Dept of Mechanical, Polymer Engineering & Design
- Minimum Entry Requirements:
-
Grade H5 in two subjects, plus Grade O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish). *For all applicants, portfolio presentation is required.
QQI:
Level 5 award including a distinction grade in at least three modules.
Mature applicants:
Mature applicants are not required to meet minimum entry requirements. For all mature applicants, portfolio presentation and interview is required.
Careers & Opportunities
Career Prospects
Graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects in Ireland and overseas, and are employed in graphic design for both print and screen, advertising agencies, publishing houses, printing, the arts, the film and television industries and in teaching roles in second, PLC and third level courses.
Work Placement
In year 3, you will undertake a work placement, this first-hand industry experience will give you a valuable insight into the workings and requirements of the industry and inform your learning in year four.
Further Study
An honours degree (level 8) is an effective basis for postgraduate training and research leading to master’s and PhD (level 9/10) qualifications. Staff in the department and in the Careers Office can advise on the range of opportunities available at TUS and elsewhere for such postgraduate programmes. Full details of all postgraduate programmes at TUS are contained in the postgraduate prospectus.