Part-time Diploma in Art & Design

This part-time undergraduate course offers an opportunity for mature students interested in establishing a personal direction in their art and design practice to attend a flexible programme leading to an NUI Diploma.

Typically students will complete an NUI Certificate course with CEAD (such as; DVI, or VAP), have accumulated 20 credits and then apply to the second year of the part-time Diploma programme. Students who successfully achieve the learning outcomes in the Diploma will accumulate 60 ects credits and are eligible to apply for year two of an undergraduate degree programme in Fine Art or Design at NCAD or another college of art and design.( NCAD is committed to developing a part-time degree option however changes in qualification structures has delayed this initiative) The part-time Diploma is a minor award within the NFQ. Students applying to the Diploma course need to submit a portfolio and an application form available from cead@ncad.ie.

Closing Date for Applications is June 25TH.

The Diploma in Art and Design will provide an intensive learning experience for students who are committed to expanding their visual vocabulary, through experimentation and analysis of visual material. Through a series of practical projects, workshops and seminars, students will explore and manipulate a range of materials and acquire technical skills applicable to studio practice. Students will be encouraged to work as part of a group, and develop their ability to manage and direct their learning outside of tutor contact time. During the course students will be encouraged to work across disciplines, though in the latter part of the course, they will establish a direction in relation to the development of an art/design practice, focusing on a discipline specific pathway. A lecture and seminar programme in visual culture and complementary studies is integrated with the studio programme to provide a theoretical and contextual framework for students.

This two year Diploma involves studio practice and history of art & design/contextual studies. Students will spend 80% of their course contact time involved in studio based work and 20% of course time is allocated to visual culture, and contextual studies.

The Diploma involves: studio based learning, lectures, seminars, and self directed learning amounting to a annual total learning effort of 1200-1600 hours. The course will be delivered in the evenings, at the week-end and during the Easter in blocked weekly sessions.

This course aims to:

Introduce students to concepts, ideas and research processes in art and design,
Provide students with technical skills applicable to studio practice,
Encourage students to generate and develop ideas across fine art and design subject areas,
Introduce students to visual culture and themes in art and design history,

Course objectives:

The purpose of the course is to foster individual creativity, encourage experimentation and inventiveness, through studio based projects, workshop practice and an integrated approach to history of art and design.
Students will be encouraged to develop analytical skills and to reflect on the processes they are engaged in when generating ideas, and problem solving. Resolution of ideas and progressing practical work will be supported through tutor guidance. Students will be encouraged to work within deadlines as part of establishing good practice in art and design.
Investigation and inquiry is central to the course; students will be encouraged to explore the boundaries between disciplines and to consider an inter-disciplinary approach to studio work.

Course modules

Visual Research Methods,
Drawing and Visual Investigation,
Workshops 2d/3d, Electives (Discipline Experience),
Contextual Development,
Discipline Development
Visual Culture 1 & 2

Overview of modules for diploma year 1 & 2

Subject	Credits	Modules*	Total Learning Effort
Studio Practice	48 credits	8 modules	960 hours
Visual Culture	12 credits	2 modules	240 hours

Assessment

Assessment will be continuous and summative. Students will present/display project work for studio tutors and peers for review/assessment at the end of each module and receive feedback on their progress. Over the duration of the two year diploma students are required to complete a minimum of three written assignments for visual culture.

Application Process

Students applying to this course should be 23 years or over, submit a portfolio and an application form and full-fill NUI criteria for accessing a third level college. Details of application process, submission deadlines for application forms and selection criteria are available from cead@ncad.ie.
Submission date for portfolio application to year 2 is June 25th 2010.

Entry Requirements

Students should be 23+ at time of entry Leaving Certificate or equivalent is required, college admissions procedures apply to Diploma applicants, students should consult NCAD prospectus for details. Applicants are required to demonstrate a commitment to the development of an art and design practice and be willing to engage in a learning programme involving investigation and experimentation.

Who is this course for?

Typically a student applying to this course will be able to show an interest in and commitment to developing a professional practice in art and design. Previous experience of art and design is required, either through attending short courses in continuing education at NCAD or similar further education courses. Students participating in this course will be encouraged to challenge traditional views of art and design and engage in a process of experimentation with the view to developing a direction for their practice. The course is intensive and while delivered in a flexible manner it will involve a considerable time commitment over a two-year period.

Course Duration

The Diploma in Art and Design will take place over two years of academic study. In year two, students will attend on a part-time basis for approximately 29 weeks, in addition, students will attend blocked week-long sessions at intervals. Normally students will attend for a minimum 6 hours per week. The course includes; evening attendance, weekend sessions and daytime blocks at Easter.

Course staff:

Felicity Clear, BA, MA,
Beth O' Halloran,BA, MA
Niall Flaherty,
Elaine Leader,BA,
Fiona Loughnane,BA, MA,
Silvia Loeffler, BA,MA

Course fees in 2009-10:
Year 2= € 1890 ,
however fees are subject to change, email cead@ncad.ie for up to date details

Download: Part-time Diploma in Art and Design Brochure (Word Document 80k)