BA in Graphic Design

Key Points

  • Work permit while you study

  • Post Graduation Work Permit for 12 months

  • Start dates: September

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Level 8 qualification

  • Type: Full Time
  • Hours: Daytime
  • Enrollment Fee: From € 8,000 / year

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The role of the graphic designer is very interesting and varied, as he works in a variety of media and uses different communication tools to convey a message or an idea. The new three-year BA in Graphic Design was developed to equip design students with the skills necessary to work in this fast-paced world. Especially highlights the work practices, which you will do in the second year of the degree. The program itself comprises a series of core modules in professional study and practice and critical theory.

In this course you can:

The first year theme is Fundamentals and this is shared in the core areas of Design Principles, Visual Research and Exploration, Professional Practice, and Visual Culture and Contextual Studies. The second year theme is developmental design, which is closely related to content and the interdependencies of form and content. The visual word module sees a design approach focused on typography and integration of typography and image. Visual culture and contextual studies reinforce this notion by examining the cultivation of ideas in art and design in the 20th century and its influence on contemporary graphic design.

The Corporate Identity Professional Practice further examines these formal relationships and structures in corporate visual communications through case studies and project work.

In the second semester you will carry out a stay of one day a week for a period of 10 weeks and a block of 3 weeks, starting in May. First-hand experience in the industry will give you valuable insight into the operation and requirements of the industry and inform your learning in the third year.

The third year theme is Live Approach whereby a contextual understanding of design is practiced as an outward focused activity. This is based on visual culture and contextual studies.

Career opportunities

Graduates enjoy excellent job prospects in Ireland and abroad, and are employed in graphic design companies, advertising agencies, publishing houses, printing, arts, film and television industries and in teaching positions in second and third year courses. and third level.

In the second semester you will carry out a stay of one day a week for a period of ten weeks and a block of three weeks, starting in May. First-hand experience in the industry will give you valuable insight into the operation and requirements of the industry and inform your learning in the third year.

As a graduate of this ordinary degree, you are eligible to apply to join the additional Bachelor of Arts (Hons) program in Graphic and Digital Design, subject to year-end results in AIT or related NFQ Level 8 programs at AIT or other third level institutions.

Program structure

Semester 1:

  • Exploratory animation 1
  • Exploratory illustration 1
  • Exploratory Ideation 1
  • Exploratory drawing 1
  • Creativity in context 1

Semester 2:

  • Exploratory animation 2
  • Exploratory illustration 2
  • Exploratory drawing 2
  • Creativity in context 2

Semester 1:

  • Studio animation 1
  • Illustration of study 1
  • Narrative and Script Writing 1
  • Study drawing 1
  • Practice in context 1

Semester 2:

  • Studio animation 2
  • Illustration of study 2
  • Narrative and Script Writing 2
  • Study drawing 2
  • Practice in context 2
  • Preparation for placement

Semester 1:

  • Advanced animation
  • Advanced illustration
  • Narrative and advanced writing
  • Theory in Context: Critical Questions

Semester 2:

  • Placement

Semester 1:

  • Dissertation proposal
  • Project proposal
  • Final project
  • Advanced drawing
  • Dissertation

Semester 2:

  • Dissertation
  • Final project

Admission requirements

Students applying to enter undergraduate or graduate programs must provide the following information directly to the International Office, Athlone Institute of Technology on or before May 1 for programs beginning in September:

  • Complete AIT application form;
  • Detailed CV;
  • Certified transcripts of test results and English translations of grades not issued in English
  • Evidence of ability to follow classes in the English language (which must satisfy the entrance requirements to the Institute for the following programs)
      • Basic level program: Certificate in English for studies

    Academic

    • : Minimum IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.
    • Pre-session summer program in English from June to August: minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.
    • Undergraduate programs: Minimum IELTS 5.5 without Band less than 5.0.
    • Postgraduate programs: Minimum IELTS 6.0 without Band less than 5.5 *

* Please note that some graduate programs require a minimum of IELTS 6.5.

  • Letter of recommendation from the corresponding department head of the institution itself
  • Any other relevant information about qualifications or previous work experience.

For this program:

  • Grade H5 in two subjects, plus Grade O6 in four other subjects. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and one language (English or Irish). Note: An F2 in Basic Mathematics will be accepted as fulfillment of the minimum Mathematics requirement. * For all applicants, portfolio submission is required.
  • QQI: QQI applicants for this program must have one of the following awards: Art, Craft and Design (5M1984), Art (5M1985), Graphic Design (5M1995), Multimedia Production (5M2146) or Creative Media (5M5048 ). Distinctions are required in 3 modules. * For all applicants, portfolio submission is required.

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