Graphic and Digital Design – BA (Hons)

CAO Points: 761 (Including Portfolio)
Campus: Athlone
years: 4

Course Code US803
Level 8
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full Time
Department Midlands Media & Design

Course Overview

As one of the top graphic design courses in Ireland, the BA (Honours) in Graphic and Digital Design will provide you with a unique and exciting educational experience while learning to become a designer. Built on a legacy of over 40 years of art and design, your creative talents will be nurtured by a team of lecturers who are passionate about their field. You will receive one-to-one tuition from staff who want your experience to be the best and who understand that design learning must be tailored to the student’s distinctive, creative flair and interests. You will be encouraged to follow your passion and to develop your design process through research and experimentation. At the same time, you will be exposed to a host of new, exciting disciplines and skills that will enhance your critical and theoretical thinking to help you advance as a conceptual and strategic graphic designer. Over your design education journey, supported by committed staff, you will grow into a designer with broad knowledge and an informed world view, who can deconstruct communication problems, conceptualise and execute resolutions, and who can articulate and confidently present your creative work. You will have access to staff members with a wide-ranging body of knowledge and experience in both visual communications and fine art practice, both at national and international levels. You are guaranteed one-to-one learner/ lecturer interactivity in a purpose-built environment with your own personal studio space and excellent production facilities.

Additional Information

Graphic Design Portfolio Requirement.

Applicants can choose to be assessed via one of the following options:

For assessment, we require that each applicant selects a minimum of three, however, if you have more work available you are welcome to submit a maximum of 10 best pieces. The work can be individual or related pieces and should represent the best skills of the applicant. If the applicant’s strengths are in problem solving, they may submit research/visual development as one of the three. Again, work submitted should reflect the strengths and personality of the applicant; be that in illustration, painting, print, typography, photography, graphic design, film or showcase the visual development/research of your work. Please see link enclosed to find about more about the portfolio https://tus.ie/LSAD/portfolio/
The portfolio can be presented in person or applicants can submit their three pieces digitally. The portal for uploading the digital portfolios will open from the 14th to the 28nd March 2025 inclusive and applicants will be contacted via email with the link.

Or alternatively:

Applicants may choose to participate in an applied project, which will be carried out remotely/ electronically in March 2025. Applicants who choose the applied project option will be issued with the project brief, and staff will guide them in the process through workshops and live advice online. The resultant project will subsequently be assessed.

Contact Details

Tara Cullen

Email: Tara.Cullen@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Grade H5 in two subjects, plus Grade O6/H7 in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish). *For all applicants, portfolio presentation is required.

QQI

Level 5 award including a distinction grade in at least three modules.

Mature Applicants

Mature applicants are not required to meet minimum entry requirements. For all mature applicants, portfolio presentation and interview is required.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

Modules at a Glance

The programme comprises of a series of core pillars: Design, Image, Studio Practice, and Visual Culture that advance over the four years.

1. Design – provides the student with the technical skills, design knowledge and creative
expertise to utilise the design process to fulfil design briefs. The pillar facilitates the student to become competent in creating communication systems across multiple platforms and media, including traditional design for print, design for screen, motion, user-interface, and user-experience.

2. Image – is the exploration of visual language where the student learns to communicate and build narratives using illustration, photography, animation, and film.

3. Studio Practice – builds on the personal and professional development of the student within the studio environment, allowing the student to build their profile, grow in confidence and promote themselves as a designer. This is done through live client briefs, collaboration, and work placement.

4. Visual Culture – develops the student’s understanding of the cultural, social, and historical contexts in which the practice of art and design has evolved and, importantly, how it is essential to the development of the student’s studio practice.

Year 1
DESIGN: Foundation (10 Credits), IMAGE: Illustration and Photography 1.1 (10 Credits), STUDIO PRACTICE: Confidence (5 Credits), VISUAL CULTURE 1.1: Image-Text an Intro (5 Credits), DESIGN: Exploration (10 Credits), IMAGE: Illustration and Photography 1.2 (10 Credits), STUDIO PRACTICE: Voice (5 Credits), VISUAL CULTURE 1.2 : 19th Century Design & Technology (5 Credits).

Year 2
DESIGN: Visual Thinking (10 Credits), IMAGE: Creation & Animation(10 Credits), STUDIO PRACTICE: Profile (5 Credits), VISUAL CULTURE 2.1 : Modernism (5 Credits), DESIGN: Typography & Meaning (10 Credits), IMAGE: The Moving Image (10 Credits), STUDIO PRACTICE: Presentation (5 Credits), VISUAL CULTURE 2.2 : Post Modernism (5 Credits).

Year 3
DESIGN: Creative Direction (10 Credits), IMAGE: Visual Narrative (5 Credits), STUDIO PRACTICE: Placement (10 Credits), VISUAL CULTURE 3.1 : Themes & Theory (5 Credits), DESIGN: Final Project (10 Credits), IMAGE: Type in Motion (5 Credits), STUDIO PRACTICE: Promotion (10 Credits), VISUAL CULTURE 3.2 : Critical Perspectives (5 Credits).

Year 4
DESIGN for Time Based Media (10 Credits), STUDIO PRACTICE: Live Client Project (10 Credits), VISUAL CULTURE 4.1: Theory to Practice (10 Credits), DESIGN: Interaction & Experience (10 Credits), DESIGN: Final Project (10 Credits), Visual Culture 4.2 : Theory to Showcase (10 Credits).
Design

Provides the student with the technical skills, design knowledge and creative.
expertise to utilise the design process to fulfil design briefs. The pillar facilitates the student to become competent in creating communication systems across multiple platforms and media, including traditional design for print, design for screen, motion, user-interface, and user-experience.
Image

Is the exploration of visual language where the student learns to communicate and build narratives using illustration, photography, animation, and film.
Studio practice

Builds on the personal and professional development of the student within the studio environment, allowing the student to build their profile, grow in confidence and promote themselves as a designer. This is done through live client briefs, collaboration, and work placement.
Visual Culture

Develops the student’s understanding of the cultural, social, and historical contexts in which the practice of art and design has evolved and, importantly, how it is essential to the development of the student’s studio practice.