The programme is designed to support students to progress or return to further education or employment following a period out of work. The students explore a mix of social skills, personal and vocational skill development to allow them to make realistic and informed decisions based on their own strengths and personal goals.

Explore how the core elements of user experience (UX) design can be used to create more effective, engaging and enjoyable digital media interactions.

UX design uses research, design skills and usability testing to enhance the ways in which a user can interact with a digital product. It involves a range of techniques, including user research, requirements analysis, user interface and interaction design, prototyping, and user testing. The demand from industry in Ireland for people with these skills has significantly grown in response to the increasing prominence and importance of the field. This course produces skilled, confident and knowledgeable user experience designers to fill this gap.

The course has a strong emphasis on process and design, essential disciplines for the generation of design ideas and the production of finished pieces of furniture.

You will have the opportunity to develop a unique range of skills thanks to classes in 2D CAD (Computer Aided Draughting), ceramics and printmaking. Work experience is an integral part of the course. The students work with a realistic design brief to create functioning furniture for public use.

This one year programme is designed for those who are interested in working with natural materials and explore designing their own small scale wood based projects. Potential students who have a desire and flair to be creative, thrive in this area. Students will first explore a range of hand tools that vary across the furniture industry, then progress from there with other methods. There are lots opportunities in this course to develop further in forging a career within the furniture and wood employment sector or alternatively, progress onto further and higher education studies.

The aim of this course is to offer students a unique opportunity to develop the essential skills to design and manufacture a range of fine handcrafted furniture. These skills will enable students to pursue a career in furniture manufacturing/woodworking industries, or in the areas of furniture design, product design or architectural technology.

This course equips learners with the essential skills of furniture design and making. There are practical classes using hand tools and machinery as well as drawing and design modules. Each student has the opportunity to develop skills so they can produce their own unique pieces of furniture. Learners have access to a design studio, a well-equipped woodwork room and workshop.

This award provides a link to Furniture Design and Timber Technology programmes in Ireland through the CAO system. All learners can gain practical work experience and exhibit their work at the end-of-year Art & Design Exhibition in the Institute.

Students develop essential craftsman’s skills to assist them in gaining employment in this industry. Within this year students will be introduced to the use of hand tools and woodworking machinery as they construct their furniture projects. Students will also learn drawing, design skills, veneering and marquetry, wood finishing and computer aided draughting (2D) to support the design and furniture making process.This course is supported by excellently equpped workshops and IT resources. These include all of the expected woodworking equipment, a new industrial grade panel saw, a spray booth and a CNC router.