Certificate in Digital Media Design
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Course Overview
This fully online course will give students extensive knowledge, understanding and competencies across a wide range of digital media design principles and practices including: digital media design theory, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation, digital marketing and digital animation.
Digital designers use creativity and computer skills to produce design visuals that are viewed on screen and print based media. Target mediums for digital design include social media platforms, web based services, digital billboards, multimedia presentations, pitch decks, advertising, digital marketing bulletins, and other specialised design services.
The aim of the Certificate in Digital Design course is to provide students with a strong balance of technical knowledge and theory in current digital, graphical, editorial and digital marketing design. The student will have an understanding of various design principles and visual communication theories. This theoretical grounding will compliment their practical skill-set, in turn benefitting their overall capabilities as a creative practitioner. This course will also provide the student with a solid grounding in researching their target audience, and understanding the role of user research in the design process and for the creation of design across divergent digital mediums. The digital design course will encourage enterprise and the development of entrepreneurial skills, behaviours and attitudes. Throughout the course students will be challenged to consider design and media production issues from a variety of cultural perspectives.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the programme will have a detailed knowledge and understanding of both the creative and developmental strands within the Digital Media Design discipline and will be skilled in the use of a range of digital media. They will be equipped to follow career paths in the following broad categories:
- Digital media designer - providing information architecture, high-quality designs, graphics, mock-ups, prototypes, and layouts for social media platforms, web-based services, digital billboards, multimedia presentations, pitch decks, advertising, digital marketing bulletins, and other specialised design services.
- Graphic/digital designer designs graphic content and layout for both print and digital platforms.
- Web designer / front end developer – integrating visual elements into web pages.
- Digital marketing designer- Develop creative designs for marketing and advertising.
Course Delivery and Modules
The course is delivered 3 evenings a week (6.00pm-10.00pm) Mondays through Thursdays (exact evening TBC at the start of the course) and fully online making it possible for students to attend classes from anywhere in Ireland.
The programme will run two semesters:
- Semester 1 (Spring: January to May)
- Semester 2 (Autumn: September to January)
The programme comprises five taught modules over two semesters and a 70 hour work placement within the web/digital sector. If you are employed, you can complete the work placement module with your current employer or complete a commercial project in your own time. If you are unemployed, DkIT will endeavour to find a suitable placement for you.
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Modules
- Digital Visual Communication - View Module Descriptor
Employ and manipulate materials and practical skills to successfully communicate ideas. - Motion Graphic Fundamentals - View Module Descriptor
Show an understanding of various animation principles and build on visual communication theory in motion. - Branding & Editorial Design Fundamentals - View Module Descriptor
Demonstrate the ability to use Industry standard image editing, vector editing and desktop publishing packages. - Digital Marketing Design Concepts - View Module Descriptor
Synthesize broader multimedia knowledge with advertising theory in order to create effective cross-media advertising campaigns. - Entrepreneurship for Digital Industries - View Module Descriptor
Identify the key skills and abilities necessary for successful entrepreneurship. - Work placement for Digital Industries - View Module Descriptor
Assess personal growth and professional performance in the work environment through reflective practice.
(If you are currently employed, you can complete the work placement module with your current employer. If you are unemployed, we suggest you source a suitable design agency or company to work with. If you’re unable to do either of these two options, you can complete a college project that is industry focused and meets the learning outcomes of the module).
- Digital Visual Communication - View Module Descriptor
Fees and Funding
Course fee is €385 payable in 2 instalments as follows:
- Instalment 1: €150 (non-refundable) is payable to confirm your acceptance of a course place.
- Instalment 2: €235 is payable by the end of February.
Course is FREE to unemployed people in receipt of an eligible DSP Jobseekers payment. Find out more here: https://www.dkit.ie/part-time/fees,-concessions-and-policies.html
Fees
Free / €385
Entry Requirements
This programme is designed for anyone who wishes to develop their design skills for Digital Media Design, they will also gain an understanding of current and emerging industry work practices in digital media marketing, web design and other design services.
The entry requirements for the programme are as follows:
The standard minimum entry requirement for first year admission to Level 7 courses at DkIT is:
- Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
→ INCLUDING At least one H5 Grade, OR Minimum Points Score of 200
→ AND Mathematics Grade F2, O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7
Applicants who do not meet the academic entry requirements but who have significant relevant experience in the technology or media sectors can apply under the Institute’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy that allows for the recognition of both formal and informal learning, non-accredited personal and professional education and work-based learning. The RPL Application process would include an appraisal of a relevant ‘online’ portfolio of digital web/visual work. RPL Applicants who are applying with a portfolio will be short listed for a subsequent interview. Learn more about RPL at DkIT
To apply for this programme via the Springboard+ scheme, you must meet the eligibility criteria (click to read) in addition to the minimum entry criteria listed above.
How To Apply
Apply on Springboard Portal
Applications for this course are now being accepted through the Springboard portal.
Ask us a Question
If you have a question about the Certificate in Digital Media Design please ask it below and we will get back to you.
Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).
