Visual Communication - Grangegorman

What is Visual Communication?

The MA Visual Communication is a twelve-month, full-time programme or twenty-four-month, part-time programme divided between core modules, including Discourses in Contemporary Art and Design, Research Methods, and a Discipline-Specific Seminar Series, and modules designed to provide core and advanced studio skills. The course is designed to equip students with a systematic understanding and knowledge informed by the forefront of visual communication theory and practice. It seeks to develop an expanded practice in and enhanced awareness of the broad remit and social/economic/public role of visual communication.



Key areas of practice on the MA include: typography; editorial design; branding; visual identity; public awareness campaigns; social design; digital technology narrative and space; and web and screen-based design. Seminar themes include: Text and Type: Critical typography at the intersection of academic, cultural and professional paradigms; Design Participation and Usability: Cultural and social factors in design with a particular focus on participatory culture, networks, the engaged citizen and ethnographically informed practice; Spaces and Places: Exploring the social, cultural and technical contexts in which visible language systems are produced.



The final Major Project module facilitates specialisation in key areas of interest through the development of a comprehensive body of work demonstrating a critical comprehension of the methodologies and the range of divergent practices that constitute contemporary visual communication design practice. The MA Visual Communication also provides the opportunity to work on live communication design projects with an industry, research, or community partner.



Visual Communication students will benefit from state-of-the-art printmaking and 3D workshops, off-campus Project Spaces, and individual on-campus studios during the third semester, when students will deliver their final project.



For more details visit the programme blog: http://ma-adp.blogspot.com/

Module Listing

Year One

Semester 1

Discipline Specific 1: Project Initiation [Mandatory]

Discipline Specific 3: Project Realisation [Mandatory]

Discourses in Contemporary Art and Design [Mandatory]

Research Methods [Mandatory]

Discipline Specific Seminar [Elective]



Semester 2

Discourses in Contemporary Art and Design [Mandatory]

Research Methods [Mandatory]

Discipline Specific 2: Project Development [Mandatory]

Discipline Specific Seminar [Elective]

Minimum Entry Requirements?

Bachelor Degree (Honours 2.1 or above) in relevant disciplines.



If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this programme should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.



Applicants are required to include a portfolio of relevant art/design work and a one-page research proposal with their application.

Applications for full-time and some part-time postgraduate programmes commencing in September 2026 are now open. Applications for the remaining part-time programmes will open in February 2026. Please check individual course pages for application details.

Assessment is by project and coursework. The programme culminates in the completion of a major project and report or dissertation.

1 year full-time, on-campus delivery.



Schedule

The programme is offered full-time and part-time. Students will take a total of 30 credits of coursework per semester.

Commencement Date: September 2026.