This intensive one-year course is designed for students aiming to produce a high-standard portfolio for third-level Art, Craft, and Design programs. It fosters an independent work ethic and problem-solving skills through a series of practical and conceptual creative tasks. Due to its ambitious nature and short deadlines, the program requires significant personal commitment to prepare learners for the rigors of university study in Ireland or abroad.

The aim of this one year full time course course is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop skills in a variety of traditional and modern art and craft disciplines including drawing, painting and ceramics as well as working with a variety of materials.

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Develop creative thinking and design skills, learning how to plan, research, and bring ideas to life through hands-on projects.
• Improve drawing abilities, using different materials and methods to express ideas and develop a personal artistic style.
• Explore painting techniques, learning how to use colour, texture, and composition to create original artwork.
• Work with clay, gaining hands-on experience in shaping, glazing, and firing to produce finished ceramic pieces.
• Create original prints, using a range of traditional and modern printmaking techniques.
• Use digital photography creatively, learning how to take, edit, and present photographs using digital tools and software.

This is a one-year course with a requirement to achieve 120 credits. It particularly suits participants that are eager to develop their artistic skills in a wide range of different modules.

Location: Athlone

The overall aim of the programme is to provide the learner with the opportunity to develop the required knowledge, skills and competence in art, craft and design in order to meet the standards set by the awarding body in the award specification for Art, Craft and Design level 5.

Please refer to Programme Descriptor for Programme Objectives. Employment opportunities in this area range from setting up their own small art and craft business to working in areas such as community art, festival events, interior decorating and so on.

This one-year, QQI Level 5 full time course equips the learner with the vocational skills and knowledge to creative thinking and personal expression. This course provides you with the opportunity to channel your creativity through various artistic mediums, such as design, ceramics, digital photography, painting, drawing, batik, and stop-motion animation. Students will benefit from full access to the Adobe Suite, enhancing their digital skills.

Throughout the course, you will have the chance to cultivate a portfolio tailored to your unique interests and talents. Upon completing the program, you’ll have the chance to showcase your artwork to the public, and your high-quality portfolio will be invaluable for both advancing to higher education and pursuing employment opportunities.

The overall aim of the programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to engage in a range of art, craft and design practices and to progress to further and or higher education and training.

This course enables you to create a portfolio that is both dynamic and skills based.

It covers a wide range of disciplines: drawing, painting, print-making, photography and computer based design, plus it has the added advantage of giving you industry level computer skills in graphic design, such as Photoshop and InDesign, perfect if you want to pursue a career or further education in Visual Communications.

If you can say YES to any one of the following then this may well be the course for you:

• Have you always had an interest in art and would like to learn more?
• Do you enjoy making and designing?
• Do you like to draw and paint?
• Do you want to prepare a portfolio for application to Art & Design Colleges?
• Are you creative & want to try different subjects to find out what you enjoy most?
• Would you like to get hands on experience exploring different materials and crafts like jewellery, woodcraft, weaving and ceramics?
• Like to start a career as an Artist, Craftsperson or Designer?

Should you have the interest and enthusiasm, we have the teachers, coursework and facilities to nurture and grow your talent. We will guide you on your way to a creative career.