About BA (Honours) in Design in Production Design and Art Direction

The production designer and art director are integral members of a production team and play a vital role in the creation of real or imagined worlds for Theatre, Film, Video or Digital Media Productions.

This programme is unique in Ireland. You will have the opportunity to enhance your prior learning and repurpose it to learn the process of designing for Theatre, Film, Video or Digital Media Productions. Through working on joint projects alongside students on programmes of study in Film and Television Production you will have the experience of the collaborative professional practice associated with being a member of a Film Production Team.  The programme is 80% practical and 20% academic and is structured over 2 semesters of 15 weeks each. The final week of each semester consists of a presentation of work for assessment.

Aims and Objectives

The programme is designed to give students who have achieved a high level of expertise at undergraduate level the opportunity to further their specialisation in 3D, Spatial Design in Production Design, Art direction for Theatre, Film and Video. You will be encouraged to experiment and to be flexible in attitude leading to the investigation and exploration of new visual ideas and concepts.

The programme aims to provide you with an integrated course of study combining both theory and practice.

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

Careers in Theatre, Film and Video productions, in the entertainment, media and cultural industries.

You can look forward to proceed to further education at MA level, find employment in the entertainment industry or establish an independent business unit.

What subjects will I study?

The year consists of two production periods.  In the first semester, short-duration projects are assigned.  These are designed to incorporate a range of technical and conceptual challenges for all the students. Subsequently, you may work as a team on a student Film/Video production.

You will have the opportunity to learn or enhance your learning in the application and merging of key Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) applications including AutoCAD, 3D.Max, and PhotoShop to the process of Production Design/Art Direction for Theatre, Film, Video, and Digital Media. You will be encouraged in the development of your critical and conceptual thinking and its application to both practical project-based work and written work.  You will work in a collegiate atmosphere alongside fellow students from Film, Television, Animation, Model Making, Make-Up and other programmes at the National Film School in IADT.

Although the programme has a predetermined course of study, its nature is flexible to allow individual developmental initiatives. Sharing of skills will be facilitated and specific projects will be assigned to contextualise technical learning.

What are the Entry Requirements?

Production Design and Art Direction students come from a variety of backgrounds, including Theatre, Architecture, Model Making, Visual Communications, Film Production, Animation, Fine Art,  Interior & 3D design.

Applicants should hold an ordinary Degree in Design or in a relevant subject area with an overall pass mark of 40% (GPA 2.00), the major area of study being in 3D, Spatial Design, Film or in a relevant course of study.

Selection is by portfolio submission and applicants may be called for interview.

What should my Portfolio include?

• You should present a selected portfolio of work showing:
• Your ability in spatial design/spatial concepts
• Your level of awareness of Scenic Design for Theatre, Film, Games, Video & Digital Media
• Your level of technical drawing
• Your level of knowledge in CGI/CAD applications Your level of drawing, artists impressions, story-boards; 3D concept drawings
• Notebook(s) or visual diary indicating level of knowledge/interest in discipline
• Photographs of 3D work - (do not include pieces of 3D work, photos only)

Are there any costs for materials and/or field trips?

The cost of materials is likely to be more in the region of €500 - €1,000. For the Graduate Exhibition, the School provides a shell exhibition space. Additional costs in the mounting and showing of work is at the student’s discretion. Students are expected to go to the Theatre, Opera, Cinema, Exhibitions and on field trips to places of production. While the enhancement of student learning in this field of study is supported by the National Theatre the Abbey, The Gate, Opera Ireland, RTE, The Project and where possible Independent Production Companies, students need to allow approximately €350 for admission and travel.

What is the closing date?

Closing date for direct application to the Institute is 16.00 hours on Friday 30th March 2007. For an application form, please contact the Admissions Office or log into www.iadt.ie