Visual Communications

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Four Visual Communications students doing group work
Four Visual Communications students doing group work
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
30
Duration
4 Years
Course Code
MT 823
Entry Requirements
#360 CAO Points in 2023 and meet minimum entry requirements as listed below.
Application Deadline
See CAO for details
Location(s)
MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork
Course NFQ Level
Level 8

Dr Gwen Lettis

T: +353 (0)21 433 5810

Email: (email)

Overview

Visual Communication is the art of problem- solving and communication through the use of type, space, and image. It presents the idea that a graphic message has the power to inform, educate, or persuade a person or audience. It can be presented as a still image, or motion graphics, including sound, and in some cases, interactive activity.

Visual Communications, also known as Graphic Design, encourages you to think creatively and produce new design ideas and concepts. From pitching a design brief to a client, to producing graphics, a new brand, layout for interface or illustration for a book, you will go on a journey to understand who you are as a designer.

You will be introduced to the most up-to- date design and media industry software and hardware. The course will also support the development of critical awareness to assist you in your academic studies. You will be given the opportunity to develop your presentation skills and learn to create innovative approaches to solve design problems.

You will produce artwork for print, interface design, motion graphics, illustration, photography, typography, packaging, branding, advertising campaigns and much more!

What will I study?

First year at a glance

  • Design Principles and Practice: applying creative thinking, ideas generation, design methods and techniques to create graphic design project solutions
  • Introduction to Image Making: creating images across a wide range of media through drawing practices and techniques
  • Visual Culture: the theory of the imagery in modern society, with a particular emphasis on visual communication
  • Typography: basic language and principles of typography
  • Cultural and Organisation Theory: the study of design culture, and business
  • Print Making: experimental print techniques and skills
  • Creative Technology: applying design software for graphic design
  • Electives: Information Graphics and Creative Digital Media

Modules

What is a Module?

A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

The button below provides a link to all of the University's approved modules for this programme.

View Modules

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

  • score the necessary CAO points and
  • meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six subjects must include either English or Irish grade O6/H7. Mathematics see Note 1.

PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED

For details, visit http://crawford.mtu.ie

Offers are made based on the portfolio assessment results to applicants who meet the academic minimum entry requirements as outlined above.

Note 1: There is no specific requirement for Maths. A Grade F2 or higher in foundation level Maths is recognised as one of the subjects for entry.

 

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

The course will equip you to work in the exciting world of design. There are jobs in graphic design, advertising and creative digital media in which you can be employed. After graduating you have the opportunity to start up your own business. Graduates can also go on to further studies to master degree level and PhD.

Careers: graphic design; advertising; branding; illustrator; photographer; web designer; motion graphics; and creative director.

Progression

Further Studies

Suitably qualified graduates are eligible to apply for:

  • Professional Master of Education (Art and Design)
  • MA in Journalism and Digital Content Creation
  • MA in Public Relations with New Media
  • MA in E-learning Design and Development
  • MA by Research
  • PhD

Question Time

A portfolio is a requirement for entry to the course so drawing skills are required. In first year, the students are assisted with modules in creative image-making to encourage drawing and mark making skills.

Visual Communications is a graphic design course that focuses on creative design for the printed and electronic media. Creative Digital Media investigates a broader design spectrum and focuses on areas such as computer programming, technology, media & culture, and business as well as specialised areas such as video, animation, interface design and virtual reality.

The deadline for applicants applying through the CAO is 1st February (5pm), after which they will receive an invitation to submit their portfolio for assessment in March. MTU CCAD will accept applications from mature applicants up to the 1st May (5pm).

It is very important to note that the CAO Change of Mind facility does not apply to restricted access courses such as MT 822. You can change the order of your CAO choices but you cannot add on this course if you haven’t listed it already on your CAO application before the 1st February at 5pm.

The course takes place at MTU Bishopstown Campus, Cork.

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