Course Summary
The Creative Design programme at ATU Sligo gives students the skills and experience needed to become an industry-ready designer to work in many different areas to suit their design interests. Graduates of this degree are designing cars, apps, medical devices, and are working in design areas such as graphics, electronic products, start-ups and more.
This degree is perfect for students who are creative problem-solvers interested in becoming a designer. The world we live in needs good designers. The programme provides students with the opportunity to shape the world we live in. Everything we use in everyday life has been creatively designed by someone. From the toothbrush we use first thing in the morning, the shoes and clothes we wear, the phones, cars and computers we use, the services we enjoy, to the bed we sleep in last thing at night.
Some things are designed and work better than others. Innovative design solutions are fundamental to economic growth, social development and prosperity across all sectors in the modern world, irrespective of where you live.
This degree educates future creative designers, enabling them to to become proficient in a range of analytical, technical, R&D, social and applied design skills. Students of this degree graduate as experienced and professional designers, ready and confident to take on the challenges of the design world. Working on real-world design projects for real-world clients is a central element of this degree.
During this exciting and challenging degree students are given an in-depth education in creative design, and from day one given real opportunities to work with companies and other outside bodies to develop essential innovative and technical skills.
EXPERIMENT
Students learn to draw, sketch, use computer aided design (CAD), digital media, model-making, and learn how to research and analyse to build better design solutions.
DESIGN
Students discover the joy in design. Students use design thinking skills to create imaginative solutions to complex problems creating concepts that shape real change in how we live our lives.
MAKE
Students use the workshop space to make real world projects in partnership with companies and industry partners and with the users of the product solutions.
TRANSFORM
Students learn to use all their design skills to transform their unique ideas into product solutions for the benefit of society and to help to promote sustainable economic growth. Design students enjoy being creative. They grow in confidence, learning how to be playful, and to listen to and trust their creative intuition.
YAADA Showcase 2024
PROJECTS
Students complete various projects throughout their time studying Creative Design. Check out the Build a Drone project below which was completed by one of our students.
Entry Requirements
Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:
- Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
- Download Entry requirements for all programmes
Mathematics is not required to study the BA (Hons) in Creative Design.
Career Opportunities
Design’s adaptability in continuously evolving environments is what makes its practices relevant in times of change. It has never been more valued as an economic force, nor has it been as culturally influential as it is now. For recent graduates, this degree has provided a competitive edge for entering the workplace. The skills learnt on the degree are applicable to product/service ideation, development or improvement, or for startups and R&D teams who may be developing new and innovative offerings. Startup companies increasingly recognise the value of including designers in the early stages of business development and more and more companies now have their own design teams, and include “design” in their portfolios.
Examples of recent vacancies advertised by leading companies in this field include:
•Visual Designer
•Human-Centered Designer
•Environmental Designer
•Creative Designer
•Design Consultant
•Design Researcher
•Service & Interaction Designer – UI/UX Designer
•Designer for Social Impact
A 2020 report by The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, found that by 2025 occupations in digital, product and strategic design could see a growth of between 21,000 and 33,000. However, only 1,300 students graduate annually with the required skills.
Further Study
Graduates may undertake further studies at Masters and PhD level such as the Master of Arts in Creative Practice here at ATU Sligo.
Testimonials
“This degree allowed me to explore all aspects of design using various creative platforms. This led me to design innovative ideas and develop my interest and skills in design.”
Jamie Keaveney, BA (Hons) in Creative Design graduate and Highly Commended at the Institute of Designers Ireland (IDI) awards
“After graduating, I went on to design an AV1 robot with a company called NoIsolation. The AV1 robot is a humanised machine that gives sick children, unable to attend school, a presence in the classroom. After this, I worked on many other exciting projects. This degree has opened up so many opportunities for me.”
Jostein Robstad, BA (Hons) in Creative Design graduate
Did you know?
We also offer this degree at Level 7 - AU821 BA in Creative Design
Students have the option of work placement in Year 3, which includes the opportunity to take part in an international student exchange programme.
Working on real-world design projects for real-world clients is a central element of this degree. During this exciting and challenging degree students are given an in-depth education in creative design, and from day one given real opportunities to work with companies and other outside bodies to develop essential innovative and technical skills.
Final year YAADA students take part in a creative showcase each year. Check out the Yeats Academy of Arts, Design and Architecture Yearbook to see their work.
Our students are multi award winning. Each year they have great success at design awards.
In 2019, Paul Roper was shortlisted by the Institute of Designers Ireland (IDI) at the annual design awards in Dublin. He was recognised for not one but two of his designs in the Industrial and Consumer Products category; The LockOn trailer hitching device and his re-design of the clothes peg, MagPin for which he was awarded the IDI award. The MagPin was also the overall winner in the Universal Design category, which is regarded as one of the most prestigious and difficult areas of design.
Paul Roper was also identified as one of the top graduate designers in the world for his design skills by the Global Undergraduate Awards. After a rigorous and lengthy judging process led by over 400 expert academics worldwide, he finished first place in Ireland and Europe and was top four in the world in his category.
A 2020 report by The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, found that by 2025 occupations in digital, product and strategic design could see a growth of between 21,000 and 33,000. However, only 1,300 students graduate annually with the required skills.
Alumni
Jostein Robstad tells us what he has been up to since he graduated from the BA (Hons) in Creative Design.
Arron Neenan gives an insight into studying the BA (Hons) in Creative Design.
Course Format
Semester 1
Semester 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Semester 5
Semester 6
Semester 7
Semester 8
| Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Product Design 8 (Design Professionalism) | 15 |
| Portfolio (Professional Designer) | 05 |
| Design in Context 3 (Research and Engagement) | 05 |
| Professional Communications 2 (Designer Profile) | 05 |
[E] = Elective Module. Modules subject to availability.