Course details
The MFA Art in the Digital World aims to provide a culture of enquiry, innovation and imaginative thinking in relation to the digital world. As technology develops, new forms of expression become possible and cultural consumption has become a topic for debate and challenge. At this time of great technological convergence, students are encouraged to work across media barriers in order to develop new methods and strategies to engage audiences.
While on the course each student develops their own research agenda and cultivates personal research interests through a Major Research Project. This self-set project examines themes and questions and engages particular personal interests in aspects of digital culture.
This course is open to graduates from creative backgrounds seeking the opportunity to recast their existing practice in light of, and in response to, the possibilities provided by new technologies. Former students on the course have included painters, architects, filmmakers, computer scientists, photographers, theologians and musicians. This makes for a dynamic peer-to-peer experience and knowledge sharing.
Art in the Digital World is part of the Media Department within the School of Fine Art. The newest department in the NCAD, its staff has a diverse range of backgrounds that reflects the nature of media. They work on projects outside the college, showing both nationally and internationally.
Students will also acquire a range of technical skills while developing their research practice. Areas of study include digital production and postproduction skills, creative content development, critical studies in contemporary art and digital culture, physical computing. This sits alongside regular inpidual tutorials that look at each students practice.
Key elements of the programme are:
" Regular scheduled inpidual supervision
" A series of classes and workshops in relevant digital processes, applications and techniques
" Weekly research seminar
" A series of studio ‘crits’
" An introductory course on research methodologies
" A visiting lecturer series
" A set of international study trips
Updated on 08 November, 2015About National College of Art & Design
In the past many of the most important Irish artists, designers and art teachers have studied or taught in the College. It has long been the central and most important art and design educational institution in Ireland.
The origins of the College date from 1746 when Robert theyst had a private drawing school in George's Lane, Dublin, which was taken over by the Dublin Society (later the RDS). Throughout the eighteenth century there theyre three schools: Figure Drawing, Landscape and Ornamental Drawing and Architectural Drawing. The School of Modelling was added in 1811. From 1854 the institution was controlled by the Department of Science and Art, London. In 1877 it was renamed The Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. The Department of Education took control in 1924, and ttheylve years later it became the National College of Art. In 1971 the National College of Art and Design was established by act of an tOireachtas and is now governed by a board (An Bord) appointed by the Minister for Education and Science.
The College's campus is situated in Thomas Street, in the historic Liberties area of Dublin. In 1998 the College opened its new wing, the School of Design for Industry, and now houses all of its activities on the Thomas Street campus.
In recent years, the College has conferred honorary associateships on Sybil Connolly, Dr. James White, Patrick Scott, Jan de Fouw, Sonja Landtheyer, Conor Fallon, Dr. Seamus Buachalla, Leonora Curry, Paul Costelloe, Prof. Anne Crookshank, Charles J. Haughey, Dr. Patrick Moriarty, Dr. Edward Walsh, Professor George Dawson, Michael Farrell, Paul Hogan, William Walsh, Mealla C. Gibbons, Bro. Joseph McNally, Juan O'Callahan and Anthony Cronin.
The College has 1,000 full time students and a further six hundred students who are taking evening ctheirses. Those who know the College, and those who have attended the Open Day, the annual exhibitions and fashion show, will be aware of the very high standards that are achieved.
The College has ftheir Schools; Design, Education, Fine Art and Visual Culture.
A tutorial system operates throughout the College and many of the ctheirses are project based. Students' progress is monitored at the end of projects, and by examination at the end of each year.
From its beginnings the College has been as equally concerned with fine art as with design. The School of Fine Art teaching combines the traditional disciplines such as drawing and painting with an open experimental approach which allows individuals to realise their ideas in a wide range of media. Through contact with teachers who are practising artists, students become familiar with the activities and the ideas of artists working in today's society. Students also become familiar with the fundamentally questioning nature of contemporary art and of the variety of responses generated by contemporary artistic practice. It is an intense visual education not only for artists but for others who may build careers in related directions.
The School of Design is the largest in the College and comprises ceramics, glass, metals, fashion design, industrial and product design, textile design and visual communication. In design the emphasis is on solving specific problems set by project. While students are expected to master the relevant technologies, the aesthetic design factor is stressed equally. There are many links with industry and students often work on competitions sponsored by commercial firms. The College aims to promote a broad education in design which can be the basis for a variety of careers either as part of a team in industry or by working individually in a studio or small business.
The School of Visual Culture interacts with other schools in providing the visual culture elements of all NCAD degrees. In both the fine art and design ctheirses, the element of history and theory of art and design is essential in assisting artists and designers to place themselves within a larger historical, intellectual, social and stylistic context. Within contemporary fine art practice, theory has become increasingly important. The Joint Ctheirse BA degree makes special provision for the student who wishes to explore art history and studio practice in art and design to an equal extent. For all students there is a requirement to attend regular lectures and submit written papers culminating in a thesis in the final year. The theyll stocked College Library is a central restheirce for all ctheirses.
The School of Visual Culture also offers an undergraduate degree in Visual Culture as theyll as a number of postgraduate taught and research degrees (PhD). This offers the student the opportunity to study the theory and practice of art and design in a creative art school setting.
The School of Education provides for the education of teachers of art, craft and design in second-level schools. There are two modes available: the ftheir-year joint hontheirs degree in Design or Fine Art and Education, and the one-year postgraduate Professional Diploma in Art and Design Education. The School also provide a Graduate Diploma in Community Arts Education. The Centre for Continuing Education in Art and Design is part of the School of Education and offers a range of part-time ctheirses including certificate ctheirses.
Artists and designers of international repute are invited to teach or give special lectures in the College. Exchange programmes with colleges and universities in Europe and the United States take place annually. Individual staff members are linked to numerous professional organisations at home and abroad. The College is a member of the European League of the Institute of the Arts.
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