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Creative Media & User Experience Design - Higher Certificate

Course Code: LC514


Level

6

Duration

2 Years

Department

Art & Design


CAO Points

N/A

Course Type

Direct Entry

Location

Clonmel

The Higher Certificate in Science in Creative Media & User Experience Design aims to develop graduates with broad knowledge and skills in various aspects of digital media, design and technology. This includes the design and development of interactive systems, the production of high quality creative multimedia content and the application of digital media in the promotion of products and services. Creative Media & Design students are exposed to a broad range of subjects that reflect established and emerging industry best practice, including digital media technology, web and mobile application development, casual games development, graphic design, digital audio & video production, animation, motion graphics, visualisation and communications. Graduates can expect to take up employment in industries ranging from large multinational companies to small or medium enterprises.

The programme offering blends technology with visual and interactive design practices to produce unique graduates. The programme is heavily focused on the needs and requirements of the digital media sector. To this end, students are provided with comprehensive lectures, tutorials and workshops in creative, design & technological fields. Students also gain valuable work experience and opportunities to collaborate with external organisations and agencies by undertaking client-led external briefs.

Delivery focuses on foundational visual and interactive design principles, complemented with the development of technological skills. As the programme progresses, there is a greater emphasis on the creation of an overall immersive digital media experience. This is achieved through cross-modular projects that require students to be cognisant of both creative and technical requirements in the conception and execution of project briefs.

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?

What modules will I study?

  • Year 1

    Title: 3D Modelling I - Introduction to Modelling for Animation

    Credits: 5

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    The aim of this module is to introduce the learner to the core techniques and terminology required for the modelling of high quality 3d scenes for use in the entertainment industries. This module will focus on developing the learner's understanding of the technical requirements to successful model a real world hard surface objects. The learner will be introduced to the technical and aesthetic considerations required for the creation of high quality 3d models for use in the entertainment industries.

    The ultimate goal of this module is to introduce methods by which modellers can create topologically efficient and aesthetically pleasing 3d models.


    Title: Audio Storytelling

    Credits: 5

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    The aim of this module is to introduce learners to digital audio systems and to give them the understanding of the principles and practice of audio creativity, recording and mixing which is required to create high quality audio content for digital media video, animation and applications.


    Title: Design Studio I - Critical & Creative Thinking

    Credits: 5

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    This course will introduce learners to the principles and concepts related to critical thinking, creative thinking and creativity. Students will begin by exploring the nature of creativity. Learners will then explore the development of creativity and creative problem solving techniques including the evaluation of potential ideas. Critical thinking will then be examined to develop learners ability to determine the causes of problems and consequences of actions. In addition, the module will also develop the learners ability to accept taking risks and potential failures in the pursuit of innovative solutions and ideas.

    The module will be based on a student-centered learning approach and utilise workshop based exploration of topics with significant elements of problem-based learning.


    Title: Design Studio II - Interaction Design

    Credits: 5

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    In this module the learner is introduced to interaction design through a user centered approach to the design of digital products. The learner explores how best to support user interactions with digital products in a context sensative, goal orienatated manner.


    Title: Digital Media Management and Networks

    Credits: 5

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    The aims of this module is to provide learners with an understanding of fundamental concepts of computer systems, files, network communication, internet protocols and technologies required to manage digital media


    Title: Interactive Programming I

    Credits: 5

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    Interactive Programming I introduces programming concepts to students. This module utilises graphical objects to contextualise the application of programming in a digital media environment.


    Title: Interpersonal Development

    Credits: 5

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    Interpersonal Development is an interactive, workshop-style module that helps students develop their personal effectiveness. Core components include; learning styles, interpersonal psychology, effective communication and professional presentations.


    Title: Motion Graphics I

    Credits: 5

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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: Multimedia Technology

    Credits: 5

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    This module aims to give learners a firm understanding of the fundamentals of computer architecture, network architecture, web architecture and multimedia file storage formats.


    Title: Visual Design

    Credits: 5

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


    Title: Visual Language

    Credits: 10

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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.


  • Year 2

    Title: Design Studio III - User Interface Design

    Credits: 5

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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: Effective Teamwork

    Credits: 5

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    Effective Teamwork is an interactive module designed to provide students with core theory/concepts central to understanding how to create effective teams and will challenge them to put that theory into practice. Students will gain an understanding of themselves as teamworkers, learn how teams develop via central concepts in social psychology and increase their skill in intervening to increase team effectiveness.


    Title: Front-End Web Technologies

    Credits: 5

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    This module aims to develop the learners understanding of core front technologies to support interactive web content. It introduces learners to a client-side scripting language and associated tools and then leverages front-end libraries to accelerate the development process.


    Title: Information Visualisation

    Credits: 5

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    The aim of this module is to introduce learners to information visualisation and to provide them with the skills necessary to understand the principles of effective information visualization and to undertake a series of information visualisation projects.


    Title: Interactive Programming II

    Credits: 5

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    Interactive Programming II advances the programming abilities of students. The emphasis of this module is on developing complex event-driven interactive applications that can be deployed to a range of devices (e.g. PC, mobile, tablet, TV) and utilise audio and visual components).


    Title: Media Capture and Editing

    Credits: 5

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    The aim of this module is to develop the learners creative and technical skills in producing original digital photographic and video material applying best principles of capture. It's secondary aim is to give learners an understanding of the procedures involved in digital asset pediting and post production to create high−quality content for digital media.


    Title: Media Writing

    Credits: 5

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    This module will help students develop the necessary writing and technical skills to write correctly for different print media. It will also help students develop the necessary analytical skills to write critically about elements of popular print media.

    The module will provide opportunities for the students to develop their potential in creative writing and also develop an appreciation of different writing styles and associated narrative conventions. It will feature a series of exercises designed to lay the foundation for writing press releases.

    The module will also promote the development of functional and creative writing through a variety of workshop and online collaborative methodologies, culminating in the completion of a portfolio of work that can be subsequently reviewed and built on throughout the programme.


    Title: Motion Graphics II

    Credits: 10

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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: Web Content Management Systems

    Credits: 5

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    This module will introduce learners to Web Content Management Systems and introductory server-side programming techniques.


    Title: Web Design Techniques

    Credits: 10

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    10 credit module with focus on HTML5, CSS and 4 weeks intro to JavaScript at end of module.


Are there opportunities for further study?

Graduates are eligible to progress to the level 7 and level 8 degrees in Creative Media and UX Design in TUS Clonmel.

What are the career prospects?

Job categories includeL Digital Media Designer, Web Developer, Multimedia Developer, Interaction Designer, User Experience Designer, Augmented and Immersive Experience Designer, Motion Graphic Designer and many more.

Graduates have worked for companies such as: IBM – Dublin, Cartrawler – Dublin, Feedhenry - Waterford, Emagine Media - Waterford, ICON PLC - Limerick, TSSG - Waterford, Setanta College - Thurles, EZ living - Galway, vStream - Dublin, Hibernia College - Dublin, Storytoys – Dublin, StoneBridge College – Birmingham UK, Business IT Solutions - Kilkenny, IT Legal - Cork, ICON PLC - Limerick, HHR Global Marketing - Singapore.

More Information

Creative Media & Design students at our TUS Clonmel Digital Campus have been recognised both nationally and internationally in various competitions and awards including:

  • Winner of the Animation and Motion Design Category of the Institute of Designers of Ireland 2015 Graduate Award
  • Highly Commended in the Animation and Motion Design Category of the Institute of Designers of Ireland 2014 Graduate Award
  • Winner of New Media Category of the Institute of Designers of Ireland 2013 Graduate Award