Professional Diploma in Graphic Design with Adobe Creative Cloud

To participate in this graphic design course, you will need to have access to the Adobe Creative Suite. You will be able to avail of student subscription rates for the Adobe software required for this learning.

See Adobe Creative Cloud student pricing here.

It is essential that for the duration of this graphic design course, you have access to either a laptop or desktop PC to gain the maximum benefit of the learning and to complete the design projects to their best potential.

Our graphic design course includes the following modules:

Becoming a Graphic Designer 

• The journey and what you will need to know

The Principles of Design

• Typography – Essential learning
• Contrasting Designs & Colour Principles
• Photography and Image Optimisation
• Proportion to Design Context
• Movement and Design Presentation Flow
• White Space and the Importance of Separation
• Emphasis on Important Information
• Balance, Alignment, and Layout Principles
• Repetition and the Importance of Consistency

Brand Creation

Brand identity is a unique design, sign, symbol, words, or maybe a combination of all of these. These elements are then used in creating an image that identifies a product and differentiates it from its competitors. You will learn this process from idea to implementation.

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Illustrator is the most effective industry standard design software that will let you explore your creative vision, learning to create shapes and vectors while selecting the right colour & effects, at the same time getting an understanding of typography. Working across desktop and mobile devices you will learn to quickly create beautifully designed brands / logos that can go anywhere – print, web, apps, video, and animations.

Photoshop

We will discoverer just how powerful Photoshop really is while using it for image editing, retouching, creating image compositions, website draft designs, or simply adding design effects. You will discover how to edit digital or even scanned images that can then be applied online or in print including, managing large quantities of images through automated processes.

InDesign

InDesign is the industry standard software for the design and publication of multi-page documents containing text, vector artwork, and images. Learn to use precise grids and guides to position page elements and create polished layouts. Take advantage of professional typesetting features to format text consistently across pages, chapters, and publications. InDesign manages large quantities of data with unlimited pages making it easy to create dynamic interactive PDF files, ready for digital distribution.

Design integration and implementation into website and online digital formats

Learn how to integrate the designs that you will create into a website and then to maximise their resolution for optimum screen viewing on all devices.

Marketing Design & Integration into Social Media

Learn how to create the graphics that are critical to promoting your business on each of the most important social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and TikTok. You will learn the formatting and dimension requirements for each platform.

Graphic Design Course lectures are delivered classroom-based and online. All content is webcast live and recorded for review. Online content is available through Moodle.

*Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.

A ‘Pass’ grade on both the digital assignment (Project) as well as in-class participation is required to achieve the Diploma for this graphic design course. A ‘Fail’ grade will result in a Certificate of Attendance for the course but you will not be awarded the diploma.

Students must attend at least 8 of the 10 course evenings to graduate with either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance unless a serious and verifiable reason for further absence is provided. All classes are recorded for students play back later.

Digital Assessment:

Students will be assessed through a design project to be submitted within one month of cessation of lectures. This assignment will be based around and thus confirming the students’ learned knowledge of each of the Adobe design software products used in this graphic design course.

The project must be uploaded on the due date unless a sound reason for lateness is provided. In such instances, an extension may be awarded at the discretion of the lecturer.

Our Graphic Design course has many learning outcomes, including the following:

Develop Effective Communication

Design impactful print and digital communications, and create engaging user experiences by applying industry theories, tools, and best practices.

Master Visual Design

Thoughtfully apply the elements and principles of visual design, colour theory, information hierarchy, and typography to effectively communicate narratives, concepts, emotions, and identities across various media.

Enhance Critical Thinking

Demonstrate strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills in project planning, design, and execution.

Communicate with Clarity

Convey ideas clearly in visual, verbal, and written forms, using techniques tailored to your intended audience.

Optimise Viewer Comprehension

Understand and explain how design choices enhance viewer comprehension and facilitate meaning from visual elements.

Consider Global Impact

Analyse and interpret the ethical, environmental, legal, and social implications of design work on the broader global community.

On this Graphic Design Course, you will get an understanding of the most important elements that will help you to create the best designs for today’s market. You will learn how to create a simple logo and then discover all the various branding necessities that are associated with any logo.

Once you create a business brand identity this you will then follow this through to each of the marketing elements necessary to promote the brand. You will design posters for social media and a multi-page document ensuring it is print ready and digitally compliant for integration through web enabled applications.

A City College Dublin’s Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.

City College Dublin Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.

This course is suitable for:

• Individuals seeking a career in graphic design
• Marketing or communications professionals looking to upskill
• Business owners creating visual content
• Beginners interested in learning graphic design fundamentals

• Design principles (layout, colour, typography)
• Visual communication techniques
• Digital and print design fundamentals
• Branding and marketing design basics
• Creative workflows used by designers

In addition to our scheduled Professional Diploma courses, City College Dublin can provide bespoke training over 3 – 4 days, please contact [email protected] for further details.