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Creative Media & User Experience (UX) Design - Higher Certificate

Course Code: US514


Level

6

Duration

2 Years

Department

Art & Design


CAO Points

N/A

Course Type

Direct Entry

Location

Clonmel

This two-year Higher Certificate aims to develop graduates with broad knowledge and skills in various aspects of digital media, design, technology and communications. It is designed for students beginning their higher education journey or for those looking to upskill and embark on a career change. No previous knowledge of design or technology is required to successfully navigate this course. If you are interested in learning how technology and design can be used to create solutions to practical problems and would like to develop your communication and critical thinking skills, this is the course for you.          

 TUS Clonmel Exterior  TUS Clonmel CMDUX Studio

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants must have 5 O6/H7 grades or higher at Ordinary Level in 5 Leaving Certificate subjects. Two of these subjects must include Mathematics and a Language (English or Irish). 

Applicants presenting QQI FET/FETAC qualifications must hold a Full Level 5 Award totalling 120 Credits. 

Applicants presenting qualifications other than those mentioned above will be assessed on an individual basis. 

Mature Applicants (i.e. over 23) are exempt from the normal entry requirements. 

 

Who can I contact?

“The smaller class sizes meant I got the most out of every lecture. The course gave me a wide variety of skills that are transferable to many positions.” Shannon Dunne - UI Engineer at ACI Worldwide

What modules will I study?

  • Year 1

    Title: Agile UX Project Management

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    The aim of this module is to allow students to use Agile UX approach to the iterative designing and develop a product and incrementally deliver improvement of features through team collaboration and customer feedback to build the correct product for the solution.


    Title: Creative Coding 1

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    Creative Coding 1 introduces programming concepts to students. This module utilises a graphical environment to contextualise the application of programming.


    Title: Creative Coding 2

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    Creative Coding 2 re-introduces fundamental programming constructs to students. Object orientated coding techniques are then covered in detail including the usage of classes, properties, methods and objects including object literals. Learners also explore the integration of complex media elements into projects such as audio, video and animation. Finally, learners are introduced to more complex input including the use of sound, camera and other devices for input.


    Title: Critical and Design Thinking in UX

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    This module will equip students with critical thinking skills and an understanding of key sociological concepts informing the design and development of user experience in contemporary media. Students will be encouraged to observe and question design challenges from a range of perspectives such as Gender, Diversity, Access and Ability.in order to better Empathise with users Students will also be introduced to broader societal issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals and how these can be considered in the design process in order to better define the broader Context in which the user experience is set. This module will explore design thinking as a solution-based approach to solving problems. Students will be encouraged to understand the human needs involved, by re-framing design challenges in human-centric ways, by developing new Ideas and by adopting a hands-on approach in Prototyping and Testing. Students will develop their understanding of the five stages of design thinking in order to solve complex problems related to user experience that occur in contexts such as education, business, broader society and government.


    Title: Digital Technology Fundamentals

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    This module aims to give learners a firm understanding of the fundamentals of computer architecture as commonly found in desktop computers, handheld devices and personal communicators and convergent devices. It also aims to equip the students with an understanding of how data is stored digitally and how data is compressed and transmitted over the Internet.


    Title: Introduction To User Experience and Digital Product Design

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    The module provides learners with an introduction to the fields of User Experience and Digital Product Design and provides a context for key aspects of the overall programme over four years. It introduces key concepts such as the UX Design, UX Roles, the Product Development Life Cycle along with an introduction to common design frameworks. Digital Product Platforms are then introduced, and the concept of responsive design, accessible/equitable design and design sprints are presented. The latter stages of the module will require learners to engage and undertake in all stages of the UX Design Process in response to a digital product or service design brief. Depending on the brief and subsequent project requirements, learners will be introduced to and utilise appropriate UX methodologies and tools.


    Title: Professional Culture and Communication

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    Professional Culture and Communication is an interactive workshop style module that will assist students in their transition to University life. It offers students the opportunity to explore the importance of culture (of both the University experience and their future work industry). This module will introduce students to relationship building as a key skill in their professional lives. In Professional Culture and Communication students will reflect and build interpersonal competence in terms of the various channels of communication including verbal, nonverbal, written and online. Students will learn and put into practice the essential components of a professional presentation.


    Title: UI Design and Prototyping 1

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    In this module the learner builds on acquired visual literacy, critical thinking, creative thinking and interaction design skills, tools and methodologies to build high-fidelity interactive user interfaces that address user goals, technical constraints and are context aware.


    Title: UX Design Studio 1

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    UX Design Studio 1 plans to provide learners with exposure to the UX Design process over the duration of a full academic term. It is intended that learners will apply UX knowledge and methodologies in the delivery of a UX project brief while also acquiring knowledge, understanding and practice of new UX principles and methodologies. Learners will apply and demonstrate UX knowledge across all stages of the UX design process, such as: Project Initiation, Discovery, Analyse & Define, Ideation, Design Validation.


    Title: Visual Design

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    The aim of this module is to broaden the learner's understanding of the elements and principles in Visual Design in the context of UX and Digital Product Design.


    Title: Visual Language

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    The aim of this module is to introduce the learner to the elements of Visual Language and Design Principles. Learners will develop, experiment and apply the use of space, image, type and colour to communicate ideas and information with clarity and effect.


    Title: Web User Interface 1

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    Web User Interface 1 aims to provide the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to create standards compliant HTML content and to add styling using CSS and related libraries. The module will also give the student an understanding of the architecture and operation of the World Wide Web.


  • Year 2

    Title: Content Writing for UX

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    Students will learn to create written content to enhance the user experience. They will develop the capability to vary their use of language for different UX requirements. They will appreciate the visual design language that accompanies content writing for improved user experience.


    Title: Interaction Design Principles

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    Building on learners' knowledge of visual language and UI Design, the aim of the module is to introduce the concepts, methods, andt echniques of interaction design as they pertain to user interface design and to explore these principles, where appropriate, through prototyping.


    Title: Interactive Web Scripting

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    The aim of this module is to provide learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to write interactive web scripts for DOM Manipulation using JavaScript and to increase learners’ knowledge in the use of JavaScript libraries.


    Title: Motion Design 1

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    The primary aim of this module is to explore the foundations of motion graphics. Design for screen, effective use of typography, graphical elements, sound, video, and motion are covered with simple animations, logo and shape motion, and environmental visual effects.


    Title: Motion Design 2

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    The aim of this module is to develop the learners creative and technical skills in producing motion graphic material based upon their foundational motion graphic and design skills. It’s secondary aim is to give learners an understanding of the procedures involved in adapting visual design to create dynamic high−quality content as digital media.


    Title: Responsive Web UI

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    This module will introduce advanced responsive design techniques to the learner, focusing on creating adaptive web and app interfaces using CSS and CSS libraries and frameworks.


    Title: Team Psychology

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    Psychology is the scientific study of how we think, feel and behave. The Psychology of Teams module will draw from the applied areas of social and motivational psychology. This module is designed to help students understand, guide, facilitate and indeed lead team behaviour to give them the best chance of success. Students will self reflect on their interpersonal impact on teams, learn about the stages of team dynamics, explore strategies for dealing with conflict and understand the power of influence and motivation when working with others. The Psychology of Teams is very much about putting theory into practice and giving students the tools to proactively deal with the common issues that can arise in teams such as groupthink, group polarisation and conformity etc.


    Title: UI Design and Prototyping 2

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    To advance learners knowledge and skills in the development of high-fidelity User Interface and for such designs to synthesise and embody visual language theories, UI design principles and user-centric requirements.


    Title: UX Design Studio 2

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    UX Design Studio 2 builds on UX Design Studio 1 to provide learners with exposure to the complete UX Design process over the duration of a full academic term. It is intended that learners will apply UX knowledge and methodologies in the delivery of a UX project brief while also acquiring knowledge, understanding and practice of new UX principles and methodologies. Learners will apply and demonstrate UX knowledge across all stages of the UX design process, such as: Project Initiation, Discovery, Analyse & Define, Ideation, Design Validation.


    Title: UX Design Studio 3

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    UX Design Studio 3 plans to provide learners with exposure to the complete UX Design process over the duration of a full academic term. Learners will utilise design sprints to apply UX knowledge and methodologies in the delivery of a UX project brief while also acquiring knowledge, understanding and practice of new UX principles and methodologies. Learners will appraise which methodologies are most appropriate to the project at hand. Learners will apply and demonstrate UX knowledge across all stages of the UX design process, such as: Project Initiation Discovery Analyse & Define Ideation Design Validation Design Sprints.


    Title: Web Technologies

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    The aim of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of fundamental concepts required to understand modern web and mobile applications.


    Title: Web User Interface 2

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    This module will focus on advancing the learners theoretical and practical knowledge of HTML5 and CSS. At the end of the module it will also introduce the learner to the concepts of coding in JavaScript.


Are there opportunities for further study?

You can progress to the level 7 ordinary degree or the level 8 honours degree in Creative Media and UX Design in TUS Clonmel. Some graduates choose to specialize and continue to post-graduate studies in areas such as e-learning, education, and digital media. 

What are the career prospects?

Graduates can expect to take up employment in industries that require design and technology skills. Graduates work in a range of industries in local enterprises, public sector, and multinational companies. Graduate roles include positions that are both in-office and remote-working.  

Graduates of the Higher Cert in Creative Media and Design have worked in the following positions:                     

  • Digital Media Designer
  • Web Developer
  • Multimedia Developer 
  • Interaction Designer
  • User Experience Designer
  • Augmented and Immersive Experience Designer
  • Motion Graphic Designer

More Information

What is different about the Higher Certificate in Creative Media and UX Design? 

Many students need to juggle their studies with busy personal lives. We have tailored the programme timetable so that all class hours take place between 10am-3pm from Monday to Friday on our Clonmel campus. This makes studying more accessible to many students. 

Why choose this programme?  

  • Study and Progress Locally: This Higher Certificate offers you the opportunity to study locally and also to progress on to a degree on the TUS Clonmel campus.  
  • Schedule: Class times are conveniently scheduled between 10am and 3pm, allowing you to maintain your work-life balance while investing in your future.  

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: The program covers the following essential areas:  

    • Design: Key design principles and tools. 

    • Critical and Creative Thinking: Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to tackle design challenges and create innovative solutions.  

    • Technical Skills: Skills required for digital product design, web design, app design and many other careers. 

    • Collaboration and Communication: Engage in collaborative projects and enhance your communication skills to effectively work in multidisciplinary teams.  

    • User Research: Learn how and why people use digital products the way they do.

    • Practical Assessments: Theory comes alive through hands-on assessments that simulate real-world scenarios. All subjects are assessed exclusively through continuous assessments with an emphasis on practical assignments.​