Introduction

The Graduate Diploma in Creative Multimedia is ideal for those who wish to gain a strong understanding of digital multimedia & website design. This course appeals to a variety of applicants: graduates from other disciplines, those who would like to change their career path and those who need to up skill to the latest technologies. Learners acquire practical skills in website design, image editing, graphic design, animation and audio & video. 

This Graduate Diploma is distinguished from the Graduate Diploma in Creative Multimedia as learners develop expertise in web programming using ASP.NET to construct a dynamic website.

A ‘hands on’ training approach is used. The course is modeled on the working environment, requiring learners to create various interactive multimedia designs to a given specification within a specific time frame. This prepares and equips learners for a smooth transition into the digital multimedia industry.

The Graduate Diploma in Creative Media will equip participants with the skills to:

• Plan, design, and build websites based on the fundamental principles of usability, accessibility, information architecture and SEO optimisation using XHTML and HTML 5, CSS3 Style sheets and Flash technology.
• Plan and create banner advertisements for websites using Flash.
• Design and manipulate photographs and vector graphics for web and print using the latest Adobe Creative Suite 6 software.
• Understand the design process, distinguish between the elements and principles of graphic design and to apply them to design briefs across different medium.
• Edit Audio and Video create transitions and effects using Adobe Premiere Pro 5.5.
• Shoot, edit and output video using stop motion photography.
• Record, mix and edit sound, then sync it to video and upload to YouTube.
• Construct online databases which drive the backend for any dynamic website.
• Design and develop dynamic web sites using ASP.NET and SQL Server/ MS Access.

Course Structure

The course is structured so that the student will develop expertise in two related areas: Creative Multimedia and dynamic Web Project Development.

Core Elements  

• Interactive Authoring (Flash)
• Digital Imaging I (Photoshop and Illustrator)
• Web Design & Development (XHTML/HTML 5, CSS3, Javascript & Dreamweaver CS6)
• Graphic Design I 
• Audio & Video Production (Premiere Pro)
• Database Development with SQL
• Web Programming (ASP.NET)

Support elements

• Study Skills
• Career Advice and CV Preparation
• eLearning 
• Enterprise Workshops

Assessment and Certification

The course is certified by the Institute of Commercial Management (ICM), which is an international examining body.

Assessment is based on assignments and projects submitted during the year.

Repeats, will, at the College’s discretion, be facilitated in the next academic year. 

Progression

Graduates may apply for direct entry into year 2 of either of the following Degree courses:

• BSc (Ord) in Computing in Multimedia Programming, awarded by HETAC, at the Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT), Dún Laoghaire. (Learners must have achieved an overall credit in the Diploma and have at least a grade D in ordinary maths in Leaving Certificate or Fetac Level 5 maths)
• BSc (Hon) Degree in Information Technology (Creative Multimedia) at Tipperary Institute. (Learners must have achieved an overall credit in the Diploma and have at least a grade D in ordinary maths in Leaving Certificate or Fetac Level 5 maths)
• BSc (Hons) Multimedia at Swansea Metropolitan University, Wales.
• BA (Hons) Interactive Media at Swansea Metropolitan University, Wales. 

Entry Requirements

• Prior Qualifications

A primary degree in any discipline or at least 2 years of relevant further education studies is required.

• Mature Students (including VTOS and BTEA)

Applicants without formal qualifications will be considered on the basis of experience and overall demonstrable ability.

• Other Applicants

Applicants with proven high levels of motivation, ability and aptitude together with relevant work experience will be considered subject to a suitability interview.

 

Other Requirements/Advisory Meeting

Applicants should have an aptitude for creativity and design, a keen interest in the various media formats, good computing skills and an ability to work unsupervised.

Applicants will have an advisory meeting to offer guidance and to ensure course suitability. Applicants will also be advised on course costs and registration details.

While a portfolio is not compulsory, applicants are advised to bring a portfolio to their advisory meeting.

 

Fees

There are no tuition fees for EU students. At course commencement, students are required to pay for books, €200 PLC Government Levy (unless exempt), a Student Services Fee and where applicable professional body registration fees.