Learners will develop their visual and oral communication skills in the creation of visual identity. The module will enable learners to develop an understanding of semiotics and assist learners in making informed judgements when selecting typography, image and colour in brand communications. Learners will apply identity to a range of formats and media, with consideration of brand values and audience, and work on live competition briefs where applicable.

1. Apply research and design process to make informed design decisions.
2. Construct and communicate design concepts based on creative thinking and design objectives.
3. Identify semiotics, applying this to visual identity design with consideration of motion.
4. Demonstrate discernment in selecting media, formats, typography, image and colour systems.

The role of the graphic designer has evolved to encompass communication through the written word, identity and printed graphics, interactive and motion graphics. The ability to communicate in movement with craft, confidence and imagination will make our graduates more rounded and employable designers. This module will develop the learners ability to create narrative and motion.

1. Create a clear and detailed storyboard
2. Produce a functional animatic
3. Communicate an idea and/or information clearly and creatively through motion design
4. Utilise appropriate software/techniques to develop a piece of motion design

Learners will apply in the UX design thinking process from semester one to a live project or competition brief. The students will 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 towards a MVP prototype design. The students pitch the user focussed solution and will also submit an individual response.

1. Engage professionally in a collaborative environment
2. Demonstrate research and data-gathering capabilities relevant to a specific topic by exploring opportunities, engaging in user interviews, considering ethics, deconstructing user needs and latent needs, create personas and detail user scenarios.
3. Construct and evidence a user focussed design thinking problem solving workflow to include in-depth ideation; paper prototyping, wire framing, task/user flows, user testing, iteration and prototype design.
4. Produce a mid fidelity prototype for a product or service that demonstrates a user – centric approach in its design and development
5. Pitch a user focussed solution that is directed at the client or competition.

Learners will be introduced to and examine primary movements and themes in 20th century graphic design and visual communication. Learners will examine the broad range of complex factors that shaped creative disciplines such as typography, brand identity and packaging design, gaining knowledge of significant practitioners and design philosophies. Learners will develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, demonstrating their knowledge in oral and written form.

1. Identify and explain the the role of semiotics in contemporary graphic design practices.
2. Recognize and review the evolution of key developments in 20th century graphic design.
3. Analyse and evaluate the cultural and theoretical factors that have shaped graphic design in the 20th century.
4. Construct and present a critical analysis of 20th Century graphic design both in oral and written forms.

Learners will create a brand identity and brand communications for a range of media and platforms. Learners will develop concepts and graphics for print design in 3 dimensional formats, develop their presentation skills, and ability to articulate their concepts using logic and justification. This module aims to develop the learners’ ability to use and manipulate materials in a three dimensional context. Learners will work on live/competition briefs where applicable.

1. Create brand identity for a specified client and apply branding across a range of media and formats.
2. Make informed, inventive and appropriate choice of materials to develop a graphic language in a three dimensional context
3. Develop a creative visual language to communicate an idea and brand identity across a range of media and platforms.
4. Develop articulation to participate in a group critique.
5. Specify materials and processes in print preparation.

This module will explore how identity is evolving in the age of connected devices and social media. It will consider how this is changing the role of the designer, who now requires the ability to develop and control flexible design solutions that work across a multitude of platforms and mediums, including motion, mobile and print.

1. Create innovative kinetic solutions to a design problem.
2. Apply new toolsets in the execution of an inter-disciplinary design strategy.
3. Create effective communication solutions across a range of platforms.
4. Critique effectiveness of own design solutions in comparison to contemporary practice.
5. Control pacing/timing in motion design.

This module focuses primarily on the visual design of interfaces on digital screens. User Interface Design encompasses typography, colour, grids, icons and navigation to create clear and engaging design for screen. Using modern soft prototyping tools, learners will design and build a website or prototype app.

1. Apply various elements of UI design to create effective solutions for screen
2. Employ a thorough process to create, test and iterate design solutions
3. Utilise typographic design and visual hierarchy to guide a user
4. Design an artefact with efficient navigation
5. Employ best practice in the soft prototyping of a website/app
6. Critique design solutions against best practice

Learners will be introduced to and examine primary movements and themes in 20th century graphic design and visual communication. Learners will examine the broad range of complex factors that shaped creative disciplines such as advertising, wayfinding and photography, gaining knowledge of significant practitioners and design philosophies. Learners will develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, demonstrating their knowledge in oral and written form.

1. Identify and explain the the role of iconography and symbolism in graphic design and advertising.
2. Recognize and review the evolution of key developments in 20th century graphic design.
3. Analyse and evaluate the cultural and theoretical factors that have shaped graphic design in the 20th century.
4. Construct and present a critical analysis of 20th Century graphic design both in oral and written forms.

Learners will demonstrate a clear understanding of typographic practice. Learners will develop a rigorous process, and demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis and understanding of content for typographic outcomes – screen and/or print based. Learners will apply the principles and best practices of typography, while practicing typographic interpretation, creativity and control.

1. Present focused primary and secondary research, to inform a range of ideas.
2. Display typographic creativity, interpretation and control in response to the brief.
3. Apply typographic principles, and apply best practice and detailing in all outcomes.
4. Consider visually the effective integration of type, image and/or sound in final outcomes.
5.
Exercise discernment in the making of appropriate and informed media, formats, finishing and presentation choices.

Learners will apply skills in advertising and brand communication through the implementation of self-directed strategies in response to a live/competition brief.

1. Develop a holistic advertising and communication strategy
2. Establish and develop a brand that aligns with brand values and objectives
3. Create inventive solutions in response to a live brief
4. Clearly communicate possible solutions for an advertising campaign
5. Appraise and utilise a range of media and formats
6. Design holistic communication campaigns over multiple touchpoints/channels

Learners will analyse their own practice and present their work and themselves in a coherent and professional manner to prospective employers or clients.

1. Apply conceptual thinking and visual craft in presenting their own work
2. Create a distinctive, personal and flexible visual identity to work across platform
3. Articulate ones own professional practice orally and through the written word
4. Develop an appropriate onscreen presence
5. Present a portfolio of work in a professional manner

This module investigates and critiques the primary conventions surrounding the evolution of advertising and branding. It examines the ‘art of persuasion’ and the visual and verbal codes deployed in the construction of advertising rhetoric. It also evaluates the origins of and escalating functions of branding within consumer culture. The role of the media in shaping and framing communication practices is also considered, and in particular the changes brought about by the advent of the digital era.

1. Analyse advertising and branding and assess the varied historical, theoretical, rhetorical and cultural conditions that frame its production and reception
2. Engage in critical debate demonstrating awareness of the complex factors that have informed the evolution of advertising and branding
3. Evidence an ongoing maturation of independent research and learning skills
4. Participate in peer-to-peer critiques and presentations
5. Conduct thorough research from a variety of knowledge sources and apply critical judgement of appropriate texts
6. Write a cogent essay in response to a brief demonstrating thorough compliance with departmental academic standards and conventions

Learners will apply creative and technical skills across a range of formats, platforms and media, whilst developing the relationship between client and designer through the implementation of 'live' briefs. This module prepares the student to work in the design industry in a variety of roles whether self-employed, freelance, in-house or within a design studio. In addition, a learner may have direct industrial experience by obtaining a design related placement, or have the opportunity to study in another European college during this semester.

1. Apply creativity and skill in development of design solutions
2. Explain and defend their ideas and design solutions
3. Employ effective time management skills
4. Produce and prepare work for professional output for both print and screen publishing
5. Illustrate awareness of Artists, Designers, Photographers, making references to practitioners in the context of individual work
6. Formulate clear design objectives that align with client and audience needs
7. Conduct oneself professionally in a collaborative environment

This module critically examines the intersections between visual culture and digital media and the extent to which media form is shaping communication and creative production. It interrogates the cultural and theoretical conditions that have given rise to digital behaviours that both challenge cultural orthodoxies and unleash new creative possibilities for practitioners and audiences.

1. Articulate a thorough understanding of the historical, theoretical, and cultural conditions that shape creative production and reception in the digital age
2. Formulate a personal perspective on current visual culture practises informed by a variety of critical frameworks
3. Manage significant independent research demonstrating engagement with the wide contextual domain of contemporary visual culture pertinent to their research
4. Construct findings based on critical appraisal of key texts and sources
5. Write a cogent research proposal evidencing thorough research and demonstrating knowledge of their field of study

This module allows the student to experience the pace of working in the creative industries through working on a variety of live industry and competition project briefs. Learners will demonstrate their skills and identify their strengths in their chosen field.

1. Pitch and present project work to a professional standard
2. Engage with industry standard and high profile competition briefs to produce professional standard project work
3. Critique design solutions against best practice in order to develop innovative design solutions
4. Justify use of medium, material and/or platform for a design solution
5. Integrate their knowledge and application of industry led production pipelines
6. Exercise critical judgement in utilising appropriate production techniques
7. Engage with industry practitioners

In this module students of Film and Animation will initiate the conception, research and development of a project proposal, which will form the basis for their major project. Graphic and UX design will use advanced skills to interrogate how communication is evolving in the age of connected devices and social media. Fashion with Promotion will explore a range of technical advancement and social conscience which now inform the industry.

The module affords students the opportunity to investigate the historical, theoretical, technical and cultural frameworks shaping their chosen field of study. They will be expected to seek out exemplars of professional practices and reflect on their own practice, and personal objectives for enhancing future progression.

1. Demonstrate enhanced critical, conceptual, and technical skills in the generation and progression of a self-initiated project
2. Explore and analyse the work of industry experts and practitioners
3. Express systematic understanding of current practices within their chosen field
4. Manage comprehensive independent research demonstrating engagement with the wide contextual domain of their chosen field
5. Apply advanced presentation skills through active participation in peer-to-peer critiques

Learners will propose, research and write a 6,000 word dissertation on an area of visual culture identified in consultation with the tutor. This will normally have been developed and presented as an initial proposal in semester 6. The dissertation must be the candidate’s own work and show evidence of significant independent research and a thorough knowledge of their field of study.

1. Select, evaluate and manage independent research demonstrating substantial engagement with the relevant contextual domain for their area of study
2. Articulate an advanced understanding of the historical, theoretical, and cultural concepts relevant to the dissertation topic
3. Formulate a personal perspective on design practise informed by a variety of critical frameworks
4. Construct findings informed by critical appraisal of pertinent texts and sources
5. Write a cogent dissertation demonstrating thorough compliance with departmental conventions on academic writing

This module follows on from the Pre-Production Process module and pushes the learner into full production of an individual Major project in their chosen field of study. This module allows the learner to apply their creative and technical skills in the production of a substantial body of work.

1. Formulate a self-initiated design brief
2. Produce an advanced body of work demonstrating creativity, innovation and skill
3. Master a range of production techniques relevant to their chosen field of study
4. Demonstrate the limitations of production tools and technologies in their chosen field of study
5. Exercise critical judgement in utilising a range of skillsets to realise professional standard work
6. Work independently, critique their own work and engage pro-actively with group critiques and discussions
7. Exercise appropriate judgement in dealing with and mitigating production problems and risks

The creative industries, a sector founded on creative endeavour and creative enterprise, are the subject of theoretical and policy debate within Ireland and internationally. They provide employment opportunities to many graduates. This module encourages students to explore how creativity operates at a personal and organisational level and to become familiar with the employment landscape. Students work across disciplines to gain insights into the creative industries and their specific place within them.

1. Discuss creativity theory in relation to themselves and to creative enterprise
2. Assess the challenges facing the creative entrepreneur
3. Analyse the characteristics of the creative enterprise
4. Engage with businesses operating within the creative industries