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 Monday 31st March 2008. Should places be available after that date, a second round of applications will be accepted until the end of August 2008. For an application form, please contact the Admissions Office or log into www.iadt.ie

 

About BA (Honours) in Design for Stage and Screen

Application: CAO

BA (Honours) in Design for Stage and Screen

• DL047 – Production Design   
  
• DL048 – Costume Design 
  
• DL049 – Make up Design
  
• 
  

What is Design for Stage and Screen?

This unique programme has three different strands: Production Design, Costume Design and Make up Design. Through your chosen specialism you will have the opportunity to learn the exciting process of designing for Stage and Screen.

 

Designing for the stage or screen is a highly creative discipline which involves many different skills: design, research, creativity, problem-solving and technical insight in realising the visual world of the performance.

 

On this programme, unique in Ireland, you will learn the process of designing for Stage and Screen through working on joint projects alongside other students at IADT. By working on projects alongside Film and Television Production students, you will gain an understanding of the collaborative, professional process associated with being a member of a Film Production Team. As an integral member of this team, you will play a vital role in the creation of real or imagined worlds for Theatre, Film, Video or Digital Media Productions. 

 

You will be able to select from a range of potential specialisms including production designer, art director, make up designer and costume designer. All are integral members of the production team and play a vital role in the creation of real or imagined worlds for Theatre, Film, Video or Digital Media Productions.

 

The programme is designed for applicants who have a high level of interest in learning to design for stage and screen and offers you a range of potential specialisms to select from including, production designer, art director, make up designer and costume designer.   

 

There are 2 semesters per year and of 15 weeks per semester. The final week of each semester consists of a presentation of work for assessment.  

 

Aims and Objectives

What modules will I study?

Year 1 (Common to all students)

Information Technology I & II; Digital Imaging; Elementary Studies: Performance Workshops, Applied Research & Dramaturgy; Critical Studies: History of Stage & Screen I, Cultural Studies; Design for Stage & Screen: First principles

 

Year 2 – Production Design Strand

Information Technology III, CAD, CGI; Design for Theatre: Design for small scale theatre and alternative spaces, Design for main stage spaces; Critical Studies: History of Stage & Screen II, Research for Collaborative Project; Design for Stage & Screen: Collaborative Project

 

Year 3 – Production Design Strand

Professional Studies: Business & Practice I & II. Design for Screen: Design for Television; Production Design and Art Direction for Film; CGI, Virtual Environments including Games. Collaborations. Critical Studies: Contemporary and Critical Debates

 

Year 2 - Costume Design Strand

Information Technology III, CAD, CGI; Design for Theatre: Undergarments & Accessories, Georgian & Regency 1790 -1820; Critical Studies: History of Stage & Screen II, Research for Collaborative Project; Design for Stage & Screen - Collaborative Project: Dying & Aging Costumes

 

Year 3 - Costume Design Strand

Professional Studies: Business & Practice I & II; Design for Screen: Tudor & Renaissance Europe 1485 – 1603, Victorian 1837 – 1901, 1920 to today and beyond; Collaborations; Critical Studies: Contemporary and Critical Debates

 

Year 2 - Make up Design Strand

Information Technology III CAD, CGI. Design for Theatre: Hair Design & Hair Work for theatre and film; Period, Character & 3D Ageing. Critical Studies: History of Stage & Screen II, Research for Collaborative Project. Design for Stage & Screen II - Collaborative Project: wounds & burns

 

Year 3 - Make up Design Strand

Professional Studies: Business & Practice I & II. Design for Screen II: Compression mould modelling, casting and prosthetic piece, bald cap; Body Painting; Fantasy and futuristic make up. Collaborations. Critical Studies: Contemporary and Critical Debates

 

 

Year 4 (Common to all students)

Project and Exposition, Dissertation/Documented Research Project

 

Note: During your second year you will have an opportunity to choose one module from a bank of elective options.

This module allows you to work with students and staff from other programmes in the School and to explore combinations of materials, processes, creative strategies and critical thinking which will give you a greater appreciation of your main area of study.

Electives have been designed to encourage collaboration and experimentation and to broaden and deepen your understanding of the creative arts. They range in content from theatre and performance to media and politics, and include a wide range of learning experiences including overseas visits, practical workshops, lectures and seminars.

 

The current bank of elective modules includes:

• Photography - Digital Imaging
  
• Performance in the Arts
  
• Animation Principles Experimental / 3D
  
• Theatre Workshop
  
• Drawing
  
• Introduction to Comics: Art and Culture
  
• Media and Politics in Ireland
  
• Sonic Arts
  
• Creative Cities
  
• Puppetry
  

 

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

Approx. €500 - €750 per year

Approx. €350 per year for admission to galleries, theatres, etc and travel

Graduate Exhibition cost in year 4

 

 

What will I be able to do when I graduate?

You may work as a freelance independent designer/craftsperson in Theatre, Film and Video productions in the entertainment, media and cultural industries. Or you could establish an independent business unit.

 

You could establish a career as a Set Designer, (Trainee/Assistant) Art Director, Production Designer, Wardrobe Assistant, Wardrobe Mistress/Master, (Trainee/Assistant) Costume Designer, Make-up Assistant/Supervisor, (Trainee/Assistant) Make-up Artist, Set Dresser, and Props Buyer.                                                                                        

 

You can also proceed to further education at postgraduate level. 

 

 

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent) with a minimum of Grade C3 in two Higher (or Common) level papers, together with Grade D3 in four other subjects, to include English and Maths. Foundation level Maths is acceptable in DL048 Costume Design and DL049 Make-up Design but not acceptable for DL047 Production Design A portfolio of relevant work You may be called for interview if further clarification on your portfolio is required Applicants with FETAC awards require distinctions in 3 (of 8) modules

 

FETAC Links for this programme are:

• AACDX:  Art, Craft, Design
  
• AAXXX:  Art
  
• ACADX:  Computer Aided Design
  
• ACXXX:  Creative Craft
  
• ADESX:   Design
  
• AFDXX:   Fashion Design
  
• AFURX:   Furniture Design
  
• AGDXX:  Graphic Design
  
• AIDXX:    Interior Design
  
• EPATD:    Theatre Production
  

 

 

 

 

CAO Points in 2010:           

• DL047 - 879 (Combination of Leaving Certificate and Portfolio assessment points)
  
• DL048 - 895 (Combination of Leaving Certificate and Portfolio assessment points)
  
• DL049 - 895 (Combination of Leaving Certificate and Portfolio assessment points)
  

 

 We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.

 

What should my Portfolio include?

A portfolio is a sample collection of your best work. It should be edited, easy to look through, and well presented.

Your portfolio should:

• Be selective: include and highlight only your best work, excluding early works unless there are some exceptional pieces. Do not “pack” it with any more than 30 pieces. (We appreciate quality, not quantity)
  
• Show evidence of hard work, commitment and quality
  
• Not include 3D work (only 2D documentation of 3D work)
  
• Clearly identify your role if team work is included
  
• Include notebooks, cuttings, creative sketchbooks or visual diaries indicating your interest in the discipline
  
• Present your work to your best possible advantage
  
• Not be a copy from photographs. Do not include any artwork which is a copy of someone else’s work
  
• Include a CV (one per programme applied to) with details of hobbies, technical skills and involvement in activities related to the programme you are applying to. As information on age or educational background is not used for assessment purposes, this should not be included in your CV.
  

 

We would like to see a portfolio that demonstrates a high level of visual skill, creativity, self-motivation, inventiveness, experimentation, flexibility and stylistic variation.

 

 

For this programme, make sure your portfolio shows a distinct interest in the discipline you may wish to specialise in.

• Show us your ability in illustration, costume drawing, spatial design/spatial concepts and make-up concepts
  
• Show us your level of awareness of Design for Performance
  
• Include notebook(s) or visual diaries indicating your level of knowledge/interest in the discipline/strand to which you are applying
  
• Include photographs of any 3D work or make-up tests.
  

 

 

 

 

 

Visit www.iadtprojects.com to see the project work of our 2010 graduates