BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Program Overview

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Graphic Design BA (Hons)

Overview

Excel as a creative visual thinker and communicator. Study a wide range of modules covering topics including visual communication, motion design and visual effects, and experience design. Graduate with a portfolio of work that showcases your creative development and skills, all of which will impress prospective employers.

Course Details

• Duration: 3/6 years
• Mode: Full/Part time
• Current fee: £9,535
• International fee: £16,500
• UCAS code: W214
• Next start date: 15 Sep 25

Course Structure

Year 1 (national level 4):

• Core modules:
  • Design Theories, Practitioners and Context (20 credits)
  • Visual Communication - Exploration and Practice (60 credits)
  • Applied Design Principles and Techniques (20 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Motion Design (20 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Core modules:
  • Global Challenges and the Ethical Designer (20 credits)
  • Beyond Desktop Publishing (20 credits)
  • Advanced Motion Design and Visual Effects (20 credits)
  • Design Edge: Counter-culture and Experience Design (40 credits)
  • Experiencing the Creative Industries (20 credits)

Optional placement year:

• Design: Applied Professional Practice (120 credits)

Final year (national level 6):

• Core modules:
  • Design Dissertation (20 credits)
  • Graphic Design and Professional Practice (40 credits)
  • Design - Major Final Portfolio (60 credits)

Facilities

• Digital suites: Apple Macs, PCs, HTC VIVE VR and Wacom Cintiqs with Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium.
• Software: ZBrush, Unity 3D, Maya, Blender, Cinema 4D, Dreamweaver and Adobe Creative Suites.
• Extensive pre-production, process, finishing equipment: 3D design and printing, bookbinding, vinyl and large format printing, animation and VR, as well as laser-cutting and wood and metal workshops.
• Technical support: Experienced technicians - specialists in their fields who are on hand to support you to realise your vision.

Entry Requirements

• Qualification: Irish Leaving Certificate, QQI/FETAC 5
• Minimum grade: 112 UCAS points – Students must have H1-H7 or O1-O4 in Maths & English.
• Interview/portfolio requirements: We’ll invite you to an informal interview where we'd like to see evidence of your creative potential. Please prepare a portfolio of work you have completed so far.

Fees and Finance

• Annual, full-time fee: £9,535 (UK/Europe), £16,500 (International)
• Tuition fees for part-time students: £7,145 per 90 credits

Career Ready

• Career options: Graphic design, editorial, infographics, motion graphics, advertising, web, packaging, experience and interactive design.
• Real-world experience: We encourage you to participate in competitions and award schemes including those run by the Design and Art Directors Association (of which we are a corporate member).
• Employability days and guest speakers: We hold specific ‘employability days’ to help give our students that essential cutting edge. We invite graduates and employers to come into the University in order to look at student portfolios and give advice.

Program Outline

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Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning, with support and a structure that helps you develop independent study skills. You'll take advantage of the University's specialist learning communities, knowledge structures, facilities, computer suites and enhanced techniques to develop a command of core and advanced creative skillsets.

Year 1 focuses on skills and knowledge acquisition and development, applied across a comprehensive range of techniques, both studio and software-based. Moving into year 2, you'll focus on idea and conceptual development, while honing technical skills for a broad range of print and screen-based outcomes.

You'll have the opportunity to apply to undertake an optional placement year out in industry between your second and final year, this is sometimes known as a sandwich degree.

In your final year, professional practice is underpinned by further theoretical, conceptual and technical development that culminates in a major project that defines your practice, interests, skills and knowledge.

Part-time study

If you study this course on a part-time basis you'll typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the normal working hours and you will be studying as a member of the full-time cohort.

Previous

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Year 1 (national level 4):

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Core modules:

Design Theories, Practitioners and Context (20 credits)

Develop a knowledge and understanding of the important theoretical and historical contexts which have shaped modern design, opening up creative possibilities in your work. Gain a broad view of design disciplines, through lectures and seminars intended to provoke wider debate. Develop analytical and research skills by exploring subjects in design theory and history through assignments. Finish the module with an understanding of various historical and theoretical ideas, intended to encourage you to challenge conventional thinking.

Visual Communication - Exploration and Practice (60 credits)

Develop design experience and knowledge for print and screen, through a range of visual and practical methodologies. Learn the underpinning design principles through various workshops, lectures and set projects using industry standard software and facilities. Explore creative typography, image making and contemporary visual communication to build a strong foundation for further development.

Applied Design Principles and Techniques (20 credits)

Explore the techniques and dynamics of visual communication, such as semiotics and Gestalt theory, that assist you to understand and develop a visual intelligence. Learn the aesthetics and dynamics of visual form and the applications it has in a variety of subject areas such as advertising and graphic design. Develop a personal, reflective, independent exploration and evaluation of communication, graphic enquiry, typographic contexts, visual analysis and image generation.

Fundamentals of Motion Design (20 credits)

Develop your ability to convey ideas through moving image, by learning techniques that will allow you to design, plan, edit and create movies using motion graphics and special effects. Understand the language used to communicate through time-based media and learn a range of industry-standard software and hardware to hone your skills. Practice the techniques that will allow you to create and synchronise moving graphics, video, sound, typography, animated elements and visual effects to create dynamic and effective movies.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our

Help and Advice article

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Read more

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Year 2 (national level 5):

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Core modules:

Global Challenges and the Ethical Designer (20 credits)

Develop a critical understanding of important issues linked to design such as the environment, globalisation, gender representation, equality and diversity. Be encouraged to consider your ethical role as a developing designer. Be introduced to ways of considering a major piece of written work (the dissertation in Stage 3), based on a subject relevant to your own practice. Finish the module with a developing design philosophy that potentially impacts on your ways of working and thinking in terms of studio practice.

Beyond Desktop Publishing (20 credits)

Get a basic introduction to the historical, theoretical and fundamental principles of typography and design. Follow this up with in depth practical research on typography, image creation and advanced layout techniques using new technology and traditional processes.

Advanced Motion Design and Visual Effects (20 credits)

Combine and build on the techniques learned at stage one to produce compelling motion design suited to real world applications. Research and experiment with advanced motion and cinematic techniques, as a vehicle for exploring the creative and visual possibilities of professional motion graphics and special effects. Develop your abilities individually or collaboratively, to sell ideas, persuade, inform, change views and behaviour, through the powerful medium of motion design. Create engaging movies which can impact an audience and enhance your professional portfolio.

Design Edge: Counter-culture and Experience Design (40 credits)

Understand how Graphic Communication is a term used to describe Graphic Design where the boundaries and parameters are consciously eroded and redefined. Demonstrate a greater creativity and originality in your practice by testing and challenging established outcomes in graphic design. Explore originality in responses to contemporary culture in which the audiences themselves share in the act of communication; and where meaning is more significant than surface superficiality.

Experiencing the Creative Industries (20 credits)

Experience a short work placement with an employer. Alternatively, gain other experience of working in the creative industries. Examples include: live jobs; competition briefs; a creative placement; and a collaboration with fellow students from relevant subject areas.

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Year 3

Work placement (optional)

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Final year (national level 6):

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Core modules:

Design Dissertation (20 credits)

Develop an in-depth investigation into a particular issue or topic that is relevant to you as a developing designer, or an issue inspired by wider society. Utilise and build on your knowledge of various design and theoretical disciplines and techniques. Gain research and organisational skills through an introductory lecture, tutorials and discussion. Complete the module with a dissertation (3,500 to 4,500 words), supported by a clear central question and hypothesis relevant to the chosen topic. Research conducted in this module can be used as the foundations for your major final project, although this is not compulsory.

Graphic Design and Professional Practice (40 credits)

Explore specific aspects of graphic design and choose a range of projects according to your own personal interests or portfolio/career needs. Demonstrate a wide range of independent research, creative and technical skills and create high quality work, which you can include in a formal portfolio.

Design - Final Major Project (60 credits)

Produce a project that will be the centrepiece of your showcase to future employers, demonstrating your fresh and creative approach to your discipline. Develop new and specific skills, explore creative direction and be immersed in the exploration of broad, deep, enquiring and focused communication.

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