BA (Hons) in Design in Visual Communications

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Design in Visual Communication

This honours degree will enhance and develop your creativity, knowledge and skills in graphic, typographic and information design in order to prepare you for a successful and rewarding career in the area of visual communications. The primary focus of the programme is typography and the dissemination of information.

Situation analysis, problem-solving and decision-making skills are critical to success in the design industry and this degree will give you the ability to comprehend logical, systematic, conceptual and creative approaches to each of these areas in visual communications. You will also develop the capacity to think laterally so that the most appropriate solution(s) can be identified and implemented.

This degree will prepare you for high-level responsibilities within the visual communications industry and as such you will gain the ability to communicate in a clear, effective, self-confident manner through a range of media to a variety of audiences with highly diverse and specific requirements. You will be able to recognise the factors which contribute to effective teamwork and draw from that knowledge. Liaison with external bodies in years 3 and 4 of the degree will allow you become further aware of commercial realities, while retaining an individual approach to the work created.

Technology has revolutionised the design industry and you will acquire a high level of proficiency in the latest technology appropriate to visual communications. You will also develop a critical understanding of the social and historical contexts of art and design, and their influence on contemporary thinking and practice.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate

Grade C3 at higher level in two subjects, plus Grade D3 at ordinary level in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

Note: A B2 in Alternative Leaving Certificate Mathematics or Foundation Level Mathematics will be accepted as meeting the minimum Mathematics requirements for entry to this course.

* Applicants for this programme must also present their portfolios for assessment by the institute. The points obtained from the portfolio assessment are amalgamated with the Leaving Certificate points and the overall score determines whether the applicant is offered a place on the course.

Applications for this course cannot be accepted after 1 February in the year of entry, and the applicant may not introduce this course as a new choice on their CAO application form after 1 February in the year of entry.

FETAC

FETAC applicants to this programme must hold one of the following awards: Art (AAXXX) or Design (ADESX) or Art, Craft and Design (AACDX) or Graphic Design (AGDXX). They are also required to have distinctions in three modules as part of their award.

FETAC applicants must also present their portfolios for assessment by the institute. The points obtained from the portfolio assessment (600 max) are amalgamated with the FETAC (400 max) points and the overall score determines whether the applicant is offered a place on the course.

PORTFOLIO

The work presented should have been carried out during the past two years and must be the result of your own observations. Reproductions i.e. drawings or paintings copied from magazines, books, etc. should not be included. Edit your portfolio – demonstrate your ability to be selective. Aim for quality, not quantity.

The portfolio should contain a minimum of 15 presentation sheets of art and design work, A1 or A2 size.

Drawing

Studies in line and tone, based on your immediate environment, including life drawing and still life, in a range of media which reflects the subject matter, should be included. Detailed studies from a variety of views are always relevant.

Visual enquiry

Explorations/investigations of an object or a place through studies in line, tone, shape, form, colour and texture should form part of the portfolio. These studies should be the result of careful observation. A wide range of media should always be considered. Full-size and detailed studies from a variety of views should be included. The use of photography, printmaking and collage is also recommended.

Design-based problem solving projects

Include projects demonstrating your ability to solve problems and develop ideas. Projects involving research and analysis, similar to those in the design syllabus of the Leaving Certificate examination, are suitable. Back-up evidence for final pieces of work (the research, analysis, initial sketches and the development of the work) should also be presented.

Sketchbooks

Two sketchbooks, showing the visual development of art and design techniques, design thinking and media manipulation which have become finished pieces in your portfolio. The sketchbooks can also contain work that didn’t make the final presentation as an example of your working process. Sketchbooks should reflect your interests and be a collection of visual information from your environment. A variety of media and approaches should be employed.

Photographic examples of three-dimensional work

Modules

Year 1 - Semester 1

-        Information Design & Typography,

Incorporating graphic design, image making (drawing and experimental mark making), photography and printmaking.

-        Software Applications for Graphic Design.

-        Historical & Theoretical Studies.

-        Communication & Personal Development.

Year 1 - Semester 2

As above but excluding Communication and Personal Development.

Year 2 - Semester 1

-        Information Design & Typography,

Incorporating graphic design, image making (drawing and experimental mark making), photography, printmaking and illustration.

-        Software Applications for Graphic Design and Digital Media,

Including animation.

-        Historical & Theoretical Studies.

-        Small Enterprise Management.

Year 2 - Semester 2

As above but excluding Small Enterprise Management.
Semester 2 also includes Language Development,
Incorporating presentation and writing for visual thinkers.

Year 3 - Semester 1

-        Information Design & Typography,
Incorporating graphic design, Image making (including Experimental mark making, photography and Illustration). 

-        Software Applications for Graphic Design and Digital Media,

Including web design and motion graphics.

-        Historical and Theoretical Studies.

-        Language Development,
Incorporating presentation & writing for visual thinkers. 

Year 3 - Semester 2

As above but excluding Language Development.
Semester 2 also includes Small Enterprise Management. 

Year 4 - Semester 1

-        Information Design & Typography,
Incorporating graphic design, photography and Illustration. 

-        Software Applications for Graphic Design and Digital Media,

Including web design and motion graphics.

-        Historical and Theoretical Studies.

-        Small Enterprise Management & Entrepreneurship.

Year 4 - Semester 2

As above but excluding Historical and Theoretical Studies and Small Enterprise Management & Entrepreneurship.
Semester 2 includes Image Making,
Incorporating printmaking, photography and illustration.

Progression

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 AIT, in Ireland and abroad for such postgraduate programmes.

Professional Recognition

As a graduate of this programme you are deemed eligible by the Teaching Council to apply for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme at Irish universities to be recognised to teach the subject Art.

Career Opportunities

On graduation you will be capable of working as a team member (e.g. junior designer, designer, production manager) displaying up-to-date knowledge and skills in multidisciplinary areas. Employers constantly seek creative, motivated staff, with good all-round abilities. They are looking for people with the ability to generate good, creative ideas and communicate them clearly. As such, good visual and verbal presentation skills are a necessity in the design industry. So too are life skills such as attendance, organisation, time management, adherence to deadlines and timekeeping, which you develop on our courses and take into the industry with you.

Employment opportunities may exist in design agencies, advertising agencies, general printers, freelance work, photographer/photographer’s assistant, banks and financial institutions, multimedia consultancies, public relations agencies, newspapers, publishing, the music industry, film, theatre and television.

Additional Information

N/A