Are you are an imaginative person with a flair for design? A graphic design course will give you the skills for a career in visual communications. Graphic designers get to express their creativity every day, from designing a greeting card to a website for a new online retail store. Every visual creation has the potential to make an impact, therefore, the right brand design can transform a business. In addition to increasing the brand’s value and making customer acquisition easier.
Graphic designers connect with clients to determine their requirements and budget. Clients will generally provide the designer with a project brief. The graphic designer manages the project from conception through final production. This includes preparing drafts, layouts, mock-ups and making adjustments throughout. They also liaise with printers and other stakeholders and make final presentations to the client.
Courses
There are a wide-range of courses available for those interested in graphic design, including certificates, diplomas and bachelor and post-graduate programmes.
Adobe ACA
The Graphic Design Diploma with Adobe ACA is a five-week programme that introduces students to the Adobe creative suite including InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator.
Visual Communications
Another option is the fifteen-week course in Visual Communications (Type and Image-Introductory and Intermediate) that covers problem-solving strategies, visual literacy, organisation and composition. In addition, it helps students develop an understanding of print materials through examination of paper; it’s form, function and nature.
BA in Graphic Design
The three year BA in Graphic Design is a comprehensive programme designed to equip the student with in-depth knowledge and skills required to pursue a career as a designer. Students study the key influences in graphic design as well as web design, editorial design and photography.
They analyse colour, line, scale and texture along with concept mapping, creative strategies and visual production. In their final year, students complete professional practice with a design agency or with an independent graphic designer. Finally, the course cumulates with a major design project. Graduates leave the course with a portfolio of work that will be essential when looking for employment in the sector.
Skills
The BA programmes in Graphic Design and Visual Communications prepare the student to deal with key stakeholders by building their communication, interpersonal and sales skills. Hence, their creative and imaginative skills are honed through exposure to different influences and creative thinkers. Graduates have a thorough knowledge of the modern design technologies and the software essential to any future role. In addition to project management skills, designers will be able to use key problem-solving skills and have an ability to be open and honest with clients.
Career Prospects
With the upsurge of web and mobile platforms, there is now high demand in particular for digital designers. Consequently, there are excellent job opportunities for graphic design graduates in Ireland.
Graphic designers can specialise in one area of design or offer full services in all areas including;
- multi-media design
- web design
- logo design
- brand identity
- advertising
- flash design
- creative/art direction
- photo editing/Photoshop
- Layout artistry
- Motion art
- Broadcast design
Freelance V Agency
Graphic designers work in advertising, digital and design agencies, as in-house designers for an organisation or a brand, and as freelancers.
Freelance graphic designers are self-employed and are responsible for managing their own business, acquiring clients and carrying out all business administration. Hence, their responsibilities are broader than those working for employers given the daily demands of running a business. Furthermore, freelance designers also have the flexibility to work remotely or from home, to set their own hours and work only with the clients they want to.
Furthermore, for designers who work in-house or for agencies, the advantages may include being able to work in teams to boost creative skills and learn from mentors and co-workers. The number of agency and in-house jobs has grown in the past few years. For instance, Apple, Google, Coca-Cola and Amazon all hire their own in-house designers.
Have a look through the Courses.ie national database to find the graphic design course for you.
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