Art & Design

Graphic Design

Graphic Design Is The Art Of Visualising Ideas

Graphic Design is everywhere, touching everything we do, everything we see, everything we buy: on web sites, iPhones, digital billboards, on TV, packaging, logos, branding.  We see it on street signs, signage we see in shopping malls, airports, sports stadiums, museums. Graphic design is a combination of words and pictures, and moving images.

FETAC Award (Level 5 – AGDXX) - Graphic Design

About this Course

The foundation in graphic design, provides the learner with the first steps in the art of designing for the contemporary world. The learner is introduced to the art of graphic image making combining digital and traditional skills.

The generation of ideas and learning how to visually communicate that idea is at the heart of the course. A variety of projects be it in digital photography, typography, animatics, colour work, drawing or web design, all of these skills build and transfer into a solid graphic portfolio for entry into the BTEC HND Diploma in Graphic Design.

Students are introduced to graphic software, including: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Dreamweaver.

Entry Requirements:

Leaving Certificate (including LCA) and interview (with portfolio). Mature students welcome.

Higher National Diploma, BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Award Title: BTEC HND in Graphic Design (Typography)

About This Course
The future of graphic design is our focus and so the course concentrates on four key growth areas where we see future job opportunities in graphic design:

Branding and Corporate Identity - Brand development,  The look and feel of a brand for print and web media.

Interactive Design - Web and Icon Design, user interfaces for various platforms, including Apps for smart phones such as iPhone and Android devices, student blogs and social networking sites.

Motion Graphics and Animation - For new media, Motion Design, Flash movies, TV & film credits, animated logos, illustration design for new media.

Information Graphics - Wayfinding, signage in shopping malls, airlines, sports arenas, on digital billboards, public thoroughfares we use everyday. 

In the final year we introduce the learner to live projects, real clients from Industry. Students also get the opportunity to work on a personal project.

Building a professional design portfolio is the final task, that will lead to advanced entry to degree level courses or a professional portfolio for entry into the jobs market.

Software  used includes: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver,
Adobe After Effects.

DURATION

3 Years (4 Years with BA (Hons) Degree option)

Direct Entry Requirements For The BTEC HND In Graphic Design

FETAC Level 5 or equivalent with a minimum of four merits, interview with portfolio.  Mature and postgraduate students welcome.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities and careers are wide and varied for graphic design graduates. The following are a sample of jobs for graphic designers in today's market that can be carried internationally:

Graphic Designer, Graphic Production Manager. Digital Producer, Illustrative Designer. Web Designer, Apps Designer, Art Director, Design Manager, Motion Graphics Designer. Information Graphics Designer. Retail Brand Designer, Interactive Media Designer.

PROGRESSION TO DEGREE LEVEL

Final year entry BA (Hons) Graphic Communication or BA (Hons) Design Studies, University of Wolverhampton College of Art and Design.

ADVANCED ENTRY TO: DIT, DLIADT, AIT and University of Ulster.