Program Overview

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BA in Graphic Communication Design

Overview

The BA in Graphic Communication Design is a three-year, level 7 degree course available on a full-time basis. This challenging degree will teach you how to continuously respond with creativity, and create innovative visuals while developing a keen understanding of consumer culture and market trends.

Why Study Graphic Communication Design at Griffith

Our BA in Graphic Communication Design is a three-year, level 7 degree course available on a full-time basis. This challenging degree will teach you how to continuously respond with creativity, and create innovative visuals while developing a keen understanding of consumer culture and market trends.

• Achieve an honours degree in Graphic Communication Design in three years.
• Investigate up-to-the-minute tools and trends of the trade, including introductory and advanced web design
• Full access to Student Adobe Creative Cloud (On-Campus) - All Apps plan, which gives you 20+ cutting-edge creative tools for desktop, mobile, and web
• A broad range of modules, including business and marketing, aim to prepare the students for the Design industry.
• Receive a solid foundation in traditional design practices alongside modern concepts of graphic design and develop your skills and style across multiple media.
• Learn to think creatively when faced with design challenges, adapt to industry changes, and recognise key trends and the integral role of target markets and consumer culture in their design.

Course Highlights

• Class Field Trips - Every year classes travel to current and historical places of design importance, both nationally and internationally. Previous trips have included London, Rome, Milan, Berlin, Paris, Bilbao, Barcelona, and Venice.
• Industry Links- You will be taught by practising architects, designers, buyers, and art historians. Professionals from the industry regularly give guest lectures.

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
• Dublin - Full-Time - September 2025

What our students say

I love coming here and meeting new friends. I've made friends from another country, which is amazing because it gives me the chance to possibly visit their hometowns one day. Overall, it’s been a fantastic experience.

Hanne Sahlmann
Graphic Communication Design

Meeting everyone has been such a wonderful experience, especially welcoming our Erasmus group this year. We had a lovely group from Germany, and we all got along so well. It’s been great to have a bigger class this year—it's made the experience even more enjoyable.

Nour Hajjar
Graphic Communication Design

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication Design
• Certificate in Art and Design
• BA in Animation

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Course Details

Year 1

Creative Studio Projects 1

The aim of the module is to give learners a chance to explore their skills in new media and experiment with art and design tools and techniques and interdisciplinary approaches.

• Introduce studio practice portfolio production, fulfilling assessment objectives, health and safety, working processes, and the beginning of a portfolio of work.
• Introduce the learner to group work and independent work.

2D Freehand Drawing Techniques

The aim of the module is to enable the learner to develop skill in the use of analytical drawing as a means of communicating design ideas.

• Introduce Freehand Drawing; Analytical Drawing and Painting; Using drawing in concept development; Freehand perspective drawing; and Presenting Visual materials.
• Introduce the learner to independent work.

Digital Design Tools 1

The aim is to enable the learner to develop skill in the use of selected software through experimenting with software through the use of montages, layout and other presentation skills.

• Introduce the learner to computer operating systems, internet and virtual databases and Word and PowerPoint.

Design Principals

The aim of the module is to enable the learner to appreciate more complex principles of design and to allow this learning is applied to specific design functions.

• Enable the learner to understand the basic principles of design, encourage learners to write with clarity, precision and fluency, and develop an analytical approach to research methods and the written word.

Creative Studio Projects 2

The aim of the module is to draw upon the summation of knowledge and skills acquired during the first-semester experience.

• Learners will have the opportunity to foster and promote innovative ideas and practical work whilst extending their potential contextual and technical abilities in preparation for progression to higher education.

3D Freehand Drawing Techniques

The aim of the module is to encourage learners to use freehand drawings as a means of communication and to develop the learners’ awareness of the importance of graphics in everyday life.

• Explore and introduce: Colour optical illusions, draw/trace simple geometric sketches, freehand perspective drawing, Presenting Visual materials and technical drawing.

Digital Design Tools 2

The aim of the module is to investigate the design complexities of compositional layered image-making using industry-standard software such as Photoshop, Image Ready, In-Design, Illustrator

• Introduce the learner to communicate their drawing skills using vector-based graphics.

Visual Culture & Theory

The aim of the module is to enable learners to compare and contrast different historical periods and styles in art and design and understand their evolution through time.

• Introduce learners to key historical styles and periods in European art and design from Neoclassicism (c.1790) up to early Modernism (c.1914).
• Time will also be dedicated to academic referencing and essay research.

Year Two

Communication Design 1

This module equips learners with the skills to achieve creative design solutions by formulating a problem-solving approach and to successfully represent their vision.

• Learners work through project briefs which introduce various stages of design including research, concept and design development, selection, and presentation skills.
• Learners develop drawing skills and appropriate design research methods to develop original concepts to inspire creativity and personal creative ideas to projects.

Typography 1

This module introduces the role of typography within design communication.

• Learners gain an understanding of the importance and significance of typography and why it needs to be studied and leveraged in practice.
• Learners are taught basic attributes, vocabulary, and best practices associated with typography.

Design Graphics 1

This module aims to enable learners to develop skills in the use of selected software through experimenting with software through the use of montages, layout and other presentation skills.

• Develop learners’ understanding of graphic design, the use of colour, type, imagery and layout.
• Learners hone their design skills and gain practical experience in desktop publishing and illustration packages.

Illustration 1

The module explores the scope and context of the illustrator’s practice and the practicalities of illustration as a business.

• Learners explore a wide variety of creative processes to develop a robust visual language.
• Learners recognise best practices by establishing and reinforcing the process of briefing, research, idea development, and execution, together with exercises and workshops covering an extensive range of media, techniques and processes.

Contextual Studies for Visual Communication

This module introduces contextual studies through the key designers, styles, and periods to trace the evolution of communication design in its social, economic, and political contexts from the mid-19th century up to the present.

• Encourage learners to make connections between theory and practice, to engage in critical analysis of contemporary designers, and act as a reference point for research and development of current issues, themes, and ideas that are required in other modules in the programme.

Communication Design 2

This module equips learners with the skills to achieve creative design solutions by formulating a problem-solving approach and successfully representing their vision.

• Learners work through project briefs which introduce various stages of design including research, concept and design development, selection, and presentation skills.
• Learners develop their drawing skills and use appropriate design methods to inspire creativity and turn them into projects.

Advertising and Editorial Photography

This module introduces the role of photography within communication design.

• Introduce learners to the materials, techniques and terminology related to specific creative and technical processes in photography and advertising.
• Learners are given the opportunity to explore both practically and theoretically the use of photography in contemporary media.

Design Graphics 2

This module enables learners to develop skills in Adobe suite tools and printing by experimenting with software through the use of montages, layout and other presentation skills.

• Develop learners’ understanding of graphic design, the use of colour, type, imagery and layout.
• Learners hone their design skills and gain practical experience in desktop publishing and illustration packages.

Illustration 2

The module explores the scope and context of the illustrator’s practice and the practicalities of illustration as a business.

• Learners explore a wide variety of creative processes to develop a robust visual language and examine a wide variety of creative processes.
• Learners recognise best practice by attending internal and external workshops, which reinforce the process of briefing, research, idea development and execution, together with exercises covering an extensive range of media, techniques and processes.

Design Culture and Theory

This module provides a common core of design culture and theory taken by all learners on the design undergraduate programmes.

• Bring together learners from all undergraduate programmes to give learners the opportunity to engage in analysis of their own and others’ ideas in a challenging and creative environment.
• Introduce learners to the ways in which the contemporary design context and theory inform design practice.

Year Three

Communication Design 3

Communication Design 3 is the core study area, learners become familiar with the basic skills, tools, and techniques used throughout the design process.

• Introduce the learner to the concepts and principles of contemporary visual identity design.
• Include differentiating between visual styles and corporate structures.

Typography 2

Typography 2 is the core study area, learners in Typography 1 will have become familiar with the basic skills, language, and principles throughout the communication design process.

• Explore the communicative value of typography with an emphasis on conceptual, practical, and expressive values of type in graphic design.
• Encourage the understanding of the application of typographic information in Graphic Communication Design and also explore experimentation with the treatment of type in order to communicate a message.

Web Design

This module equips learners with the skills to achieve creative design solutions by formulating a problem-solving approach and to successfully represent their vision through basic code.

• Learners work through project briefs which introduce various stages of design and development.
• Explore the web as a channel of communication, looking at technology, design, business and cultural issues.

Design Futures

The design futures module is designed with the intention of accommodating emerging methodologies, knowledge and skills, which are developing as a response to the increasing complexity of contemporary culture and design practice.

• Explore how practice is informed by context and theory.
• Provide opportunities for the learners to critically analyse, debate and address key current issues associated with design as they relate to their discipline-specific practice.

Brand and Marketing

This module provides learners with an understanding of the role and principles of marketing for a start-up business.

• Appreciate when and how marketing is applied in the creative industries, learn about market segmentation, targeting and positioning and assist learners to analyse all aspects of the traditional marketing mix.
• Conduct basic marketing research, analysis and learn how to apply research findings to specified business projects.

Communication Design 4

This module equips learners with the skills to achieve creative design solutions for branding and advertising by formulating a problem-solving approach and successfully representing their vision.

• Learners engage with brand management theory and apply this in critical evaluation of brand communication and the value of effective branding to organisations.
• Encourage learners to think about brand design and aesthetics and how these communicate brand values and personality.

Interaction Design

This module surveys the key principles and processes of human-centered interaction design across a range of contexts: from the screen, software applications, and products to constructed environments.

• Develop skills in sketching the user experience through low-fidelity prototyping techniques such as paper, slideshow, animation, and simple interaction.
• Review the most pervasive design patterns and emerging trends.

Photography and Video

This module enables learners to develop photography and video skills so they can apply them to their design projects.

• Enable learners to develop skill in the use of digital cameras for photography and video, and explore industry standards in this area.
• Introduce the basic principles of photography and video with the emphasis being on images within their design studio practice.

Entrepreneurship and Business

This module enables learners to explore entrepreneurial aspirations and abilities by examining entrepreneurial theory, research and process.

• Foster critical thinking around applying creativity and innovation to the businesses within their particular area of study: fashion / interior / design communication / animation / gaming.

Timetables

Full-Time Programme:

Monday to Friday from 10 AM - 5 PM.

Part-Time Stage 1

Monday & Wednesday from 6:30 - 9:30 PM, and every second Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM.

Part-Time Stage 2

Tuesday & Thursday from 6:30 - 9:30 PM, and every second Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM.

Part-Time Stage 3

Monday & Thursday from 6:30 - 9:30 PM, and every second Saturday from 10 AM - 5 PM.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

5 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language).

Candidates with equivalent grades from FETAC colleges and those holding awards including BTEC qualifications will also be considered.

English Language requirements

Applicants from countries where English is not the first language will also be required to provide evidence of sufficient English language abilities.

How to Apply

Applicants under 23 years of age on 1st of January of the year they wish to enter must apply through the CAO system.

CAO Code: GC480

Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students) must apply directly.

Fees

Tuition Fees

Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin: EUR 6,850.00

Study Mode: Part-Time

Dublin: EUR 4,150.00

Irish/EU citizens, living abroad

Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.

International

Study Mode: Full-Time

Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

Progression

Academic Progression

On completion of this course, students can progress into the final year of the BA (Hons) in Graphic Communication Design

Career Progression

Through the BA in Graphic Communication Design, you will have gained valuable design experience, built a strong foundation of creative skills, and covered a diverse range of topics.

• Web Designer and Developer
• Communications and Marketing Officer
• Game Designer
• Materials Consultant
• Graphic Designer
• Illustrator
• Art Director
• App Developer
• Content Creators
• UX/UI Designer
• Social Media Experts
• PR Manager
• Creative Director
• Search Specialists
• Project Managers
• Media Officer
• Communications
• E-Commerce Advisors
• Experiential Specialists
• Telecommunications Network Designer
• Retail Store Designer
• Film and Set Design Associate
• Photographer