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Design (Common Entry)
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Course Details
CAO Code | AU330 |
---|---|
Level | 8 |
Duration | 4 Years |
CAO Points | 312 (2024) |
Method of Delivery | On-campus |
Campus Locations | Donegal – Letterkenny |
Mode of Delivery | Full Time |
Work placement | Yes |
Course Overview
Our Bachelor of Arts (Hons) with degree award options: Animation, Graphic Design and Illustration, Film and Media Promotion, or Fashion Design with Promotion is designed to provide students interested in Art & Design with an opportunity to study various subject areas before choosing a specialised field to pursue the career of their dreams.
Having a passion for Art & Design can evolve into a highly successful career in a broad range of creative industries. But often the question is ‘Which area do I want to dedicate my creative energies to? What truly excites me?’ This degree course is your opportunity to find the answers.
Our common entry programme gives you the opportunity to take modules in Animation, Graphic Design and Illustration, Film and Media Promotion, or Fashion Design with Promotion as well as core Art and Design modules, before choosing your specialist area of interest in Level 8 Degree.
It’s a chance for you to turn your artistic talents into a successful creative career, and our small studio-based classes have the latest technologies to support design-led creative thinking and the acquisition of core business skills.
Course Details
Year 1
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Visual EnquiryThis module aims to develop the students creativity and visual awareness. Students will discover how practical tasks relate to contemporary design practice- Graphics, Film, Fashion and Animation. Module tasks and projects will encourage learners to think creatively, and experience a range of tools, materials and processes. Practical tasks and projects will involve theme-based investigation, design reference, observational and analytical recording. Learning Outcomes 1. Observe and record information using a variety of media |
10 | Mandatory |
1 |
Communications & Creative ProcessThis module emphasises the need for students to utilise the creative process in all areas of their practice. It requires the development of significant research, writing and presentation skills, and challenges students to constantly justify and communicate their creative decisions in a rigorous and professional manner. Students will apply the creative process to a brief that addresses a non-discipline-specific challenge. Students will be asked to communicate through frequent written and oral rationales for their decisions, and they will participate in self, peer, and mentor assessment activities. Class activities will include group work. Learning Outcomes 1. Through exercises and discussions, demonstrate each stage of the Creative Process |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Art & Design History 1This module explores key movements in the development of art, design and visual culture from the 19th & early 2oth centuries. It explores the complex factors that shaped visual culture as it embraced modernity and the radical pioneers whose innovative work would prove to be critical to this evolution. A wide variety of visual practices will be examined to provide a comprehensive insight into the creative arts as they emerged in the Modern era. Learning Outcomes 1. Distinguish and explain key movements in the history of art, design and visual culture in the 19th & early 20th centuries |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Programme FundamentalsThis module introduces the learner to the fundamentals of the range of design and creative media programme disciplines: Animation, Fashion Design with Promotion, Digital Film & Video and Graphic & UX Design. Learning Outcomes 1. Apply a range of creative techniques across a number of disciplines. |
10 | Mandatory |
2 |
Animation PrinciplesIn this module the learner is introduced to the animation principles such as squash and stretch, weight and volume, timing and spacing, anticipation, paths of action and cycles using a variety of media, including digital animation processes. Learning Outcomes 1. Apply the basic principles of animation through a series of exercises. |
10 | Elective |
2 |
Narrative & Visual StorytellingThis module aims to introduce students to scriptwriting and visual storytelling and to give students an insight of the underlying structure of film and key stages in the practice of script and story development. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate the structure of screenplays and key stages of script and story development |
10 | Elective |
2 |
Drawing StudiesThis module aims to develop observational, figurative and location drawing through a wide variety of drawing processes and exercises. Learning Outcomes 1. Make observational drawings that demonstrate hand eye coordination |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Art & Design History 2This module explores key movements in the development of art, design and visual culture from the 1940s until the present day. It assesses the impact of consumerism and popular culture on the arts as well as the challenges to Modernism that emerged at this time. The role of the media in shaping cultural expression and the expansion of the language and forms of the visual arts will also be studied. Finally, contemporary visual culture will be examined and the impact of globalisation and digital technologies will be introduced. Learning Outcomes 1. Distinguish and explain key movements in the history of art, design and visual culture in the 20th & 21st centuries |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Sound Recording, Mixing & ProductionThis module aims to introduce students to the theory and practice of sound recording, mixing and production. The delivery will comprise a blended approach of seminar, demonstration, workshop and critique. The module will culminate in the presentation by the learners of a portfolio of recordings accompanied by a thorough account. Learning Outcomes 1. Identify and differentiate the types of equipment used in the recording and mixing of sound |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Cinematography 1This module introduces learners to the theory and practice of Cinematography as established by the pioneers of filmmaking. Learning Outcomes 1. Deliniate between shots from the standard shot classification. |
10 | Elective |
2 |
Music VideoThis module aims to develop the students understanding of the context and historical background, as well as practical experience in music video. Learning Outcomes 1. Articulate a history and development of music video. |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Storytelling and Scripting 1This module is designed to provide students with the fundamentals in narrative storytelling and scriptwriting conventions. With a focus on creating visual and cinematic scripts, students will analyse the structure and form of industry-standard films (both feature and short) and television shows. This will provide them with the technical knowledge necessary to write high-quality scripts of their own. Furthermore, students will be introduced to the basics of narrative storytelling, specifically linear and non-linear, so they can apply these principals to their own creative works. There will also be an examination of how these narratives can be used to create unique stories for the digital age. Learning Outcomes 1. Understand the differences between narrative, story and plot |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Fashion Design & Development 1This module introduces the learner to the design development process, the learner will understand how creative investigation will inspire and contribute to the design process journey from research through to the end concept. The learner will engage in self-reflection of their work and the critique of the work of others. The learner will be introduced to pattern drafting techniques and advance their sewing skills. Learning Outcomes 1. Record their theme using mixed media to explore line, shape, pattern colour and texture |
10 | Elective |
2 |
Fashion Illustration & Presentation DesignThis module introduces students to the fundamentals of drawing, beginning with life drawing and leading to exploration of an individual fashion illustration style. Alongside exploring how the form and fashion design is presented on the figure, it also demonstrates how design concepts, mood boards and fashion illustrations can best be communicated to an industry standard. Learning Outcomes 1. Undertake exercises that represent the principles of fashion drawing and illustration 3. Produce images / patterns using mark making techniques |
10 | Elective |
2 |
Photography – StudioDuring the module the student will apply their basic skills and develop their technical and visual skills. The student will engage in project work, developing skills in studio lighting and awareness of photographic genres. Learning Outcomes 1. Assemble work within a project brief deadline. |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Graphic Design: LayoutThis module aims to develop the learners skills in core graphic design principles and techniques. Learners will explore and develop their understanding of a range of princples such as hierarchy, composition, grids and typography. Learner will also develop skills in communication and articulation of their design thinking and process. Learning Outcomes 1. Apply design thinking and process to create layouts for screen and print. |
10 | Elective |
2 |
Image: Illustration and Art DirectionThis module focuses on experimentation with image to communicate ideas and visual solutions. Students will engage in drawing, image, narrative and conceptualisation techniques. The module encourages experimentation with a range of materials, methods and skills relating to graphic design, illustration and photography. Students will learn about concepts, visualising, visual narrative and art direction. Learning Outcomes 1. Employ the creative process to produce visual concepts and solutions |
10 | Elective |
2 |
UX Design: ProcessLearners will engage in the design thinking process and work in teams and/or as individuals to produce a user focussed documented workflow which includes the opportunity, user interviews, user persona development, user journeys, ideation, iteration and basic low-fi prototype design. The students will present the process and proposed solution on completion of the module. Learning Outcomes 1. Engage professionally in a collaborative environment |
05 | Mandatory |
Progression
After successfully completing the common entry, students get to choose one of the following specialisms:
Animation
Film and Media Production
Fashion Design with Promotion
Graphic Design and Illustration
Follow-on Courses
Follow up programmes elsewhere include:
Masters degrees in institutes and universities at home and abroad.
Download a prospectus
Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirement | 6 subjects at O6/H7 |
QQI/FET Major Award Required | Any |
Additional QQI/FET/ Requirements | 3 Distinctions |
Testimonial
I always had an interest in animation, and the opportunity to learn and develop as an animator from lecturers who were not just industry veterans, but people who are still actively involved in the animation industry today was invaluable and extremely insightful.
I loved everything about the course. The friends I have made are lifelong. The lectures who bent over backwards and came in on weekends to help with my final project were incredible.
I would highly recommend this course. I was given so much creative freedom and encouragement as an individual. The facilities in the department of design and creative media are still some of the best I have every witnessed. From the hardware to the software and to the support. Anything I needed to help produce a film was provided often without me even having to ask.
Within 2 weeks of me finishing the course, I was hired to be a full time Animator/ Graphic Designer. I’ve also had a steady amount of freelance work with other studios and my final year film has received a great reception both in Ireland and Internationally. It has even won some awards – I’m still surprised by it’s performance myself.
The skills I learnt were invaluable. Within my first few weeks I helped design my current employers brand new in-house characters for animation. I’ve created rigs which have streamlined and improved our production quality and timelines. I’ve also lead, developed and been given my own projects.
Shaun Kelly
Fees
Total Fees EU: €3000
This annual student contribution charge is subject to change by Government. Additional tuition fees may apply. Click on the link below for more information on fees, grants and scholarships.
Total Fees Non-EU: €12000
Subject to approval by ATU Governing Body (February 2025)
Further information on feesCareers
Graduate Careers
Graduate careers typically include:
Animation – 2D/3D Animator
Animation – Character Design
Animation – Storyboard Artist
Fashion – E-Tailer
Fashion – Fashion Buyer
Fashion – Fashoion Designer
Graphic – Graphic Designer
Graphic – Motion Graphics Designer
Graphic – Web Designer
Further Information
Contact Information
Department of Design & Creative Media
Lorna Ross
Head of Department
T: +353 (0)74 9186135
E: lorna.ross@atu.ie
Design & Creative Media