UCOL's Postgraduate Diploma of Design builds on your Bachelor’s degree in an art or design discipline. This rewarding and challenging programme is based on both lecturer facilitated and self-directed research projects that will broaden your understanding of either time-based design applications and expose you to current thinking and research methodologies.

 

You will advance your skills in a chosen design media, and produce a significant design portfolio, exhibition or show. This postgraduate pathway will prepare you for Masters level study or enable you to secure higher level of employment.

 

Graduates will be equipped to work in a variety of roles within art and design based industries such as galleries, fashion houses, graphic design studios, film and television, printing and publishing, web design, art studios, set design and much more.

 

This programme consist of 120 credits. The courses includes;

COMPULSORY COURSES:

Advanced Methodologies for Design Research (30 Credits)
On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Establish and articulate a philosophical orientation for their research and propose a research design and methodology supported by a rationale for the design choice;
• Write and present a research proposal for approval;
• Identify, evaluate and respond to key ethical and cultural considerations within the field of study;
• Undertake a contextual review of the extant and seminal literature to identify or position a research question.

Development Studio (30 Credits)
On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate specific areas of interest for concept research and articulate objectives and ideas for future projects;
• Explore inter?disciplinary and/or multimedia approaches;
• Undertake rigorous exploration of an extensive range of sources and technical applications and technologies relevant to their practice;
• Investigate and define the link between research practice and an appropriate industry/ community context;
• Demonstrate professional studio practice in the documentation of idea development and technical exploration.

Creative Thinking (30 Credits)
On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Initiate rigorous intellectual analysis and critical reflection of their own work and that of others;
• Articulate creative thinking methodologies appropriate to the context in which they work;
• Articulate a considered position in relation to their field of enquiry or professional practice, with a focus on both current and future practice;
• Apply creative thinking methodologies to developing unique solutions to industry challenges or opportunities;
• Critically evaluate and professionally document research relevant to their creative practice.

Studio Project (30 Credits)
On completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Advance and refine concepts for research and art/design projects as appropriate for industry/ community, professional and academic outcomes;
• Undertake extended exploration of inter?disciplinary and/or multimedia approaches to solve problems and achieve design solutions;
• Document the investigation and creative development process used to make specified project work;
• Compile and present a finished portfolio, exhibition or show.