Bachelor of Arts Graphic Design

Why take this course?
The role of the graphic designer is a hugely exciting and varied one, working across a variety of media and utilising 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 necessary skills to work in this fast-paced world. Of particular note is the work placement, which you will undertake in the second year of the degree. The programme itself comprises a series of core modules in studio and professional practice and critical theory.

What will I experience?
The theme of the first year is fundamentals and this is shared across the core areas of design principles, visual research and exploration, professional practice, and visual culture and contextual studies. The theme of year two is developmental design, which engages closely with content and the interdependencies of form and content. The visual word module sees a design focus centred on typography and the integration of typography and image. Visual culture and contextual studies reinforces this notion by examining the cultivation of ideas in art and design in the 20th century and its influence on contemporary graphic design.

Professional practice in corporate identity further examines these formal relationships and structures in corporate visual communications through case studies and project work.

In the second semester you will undertake a placement for one day each week for a period of 10 weeks and a block of 3 weeks, commencing in May. The first-hand industry experience will give you a valuable insight into the workings and requirements of the industry and inform your learning in year three.

The theme of third year is live focus whereby a contextual understanding of design as an outwardly focused activity is practiced. This is underpinned in visual culture and contextual studies.

What opportunities might it lead to?
Design students at AIT have a track record of winning awards at local, national and international student assessment schemes and competitions. Graduates enjoy excellent employment prospects in Ireland and overseas, and are employed in graphic design companies, advertising agencies, publishing houses, printing, the arts, the film and television industries and in teaching roles in second, PLC and third level courses.

Access to staff members with a very wide-ranging body of knowledge and experience in both visual communications and fine art practice, both at national and international levels. Guaranteed one-to-one learner/lecturer interactivity, in a purpose-built environment with excellent personal studio space and production facilities.