Digital Media Higher National Diploma
Course Description
Note: Course shadowing as part of work experience is available for this course.
A Digital Art & Design Course for Creatives!
This diverse and fast-paced course provides professional training in areas of motion graphics, animation, compositing, 3D graphics, visual effects and web design. Students learn how to research and generate ideas and gain the design skills needed to produce highend, mouth-watering graphics. We provide a rock solid foundation in all the skills required to work as part of a team, or to specialise in the area that best suits a student’s skills. Year 2 focuses on advanced motion graphics and editing, 3D character animation, 3D cinematography. These skills equip students for motion design, visual FX (VFX), 3D modelling for game design and film and television.
See the exciting directions our current graduates are moving on to!
Digital Media at CSN is a special course because the qualification you achieve is an internationally recognised BTEC Higher National Diploma. This is part of the UK framework where it is equivalent in value to a Foundation Higher Education. As well as being eligible to apply to Irish IT colleges for entry into second year, Digital Media graduates can apply to a range of UK colleges and universities to do a one year top-up to achieve an Honours Degree. In that way this course can be viewed as the first two years of a three year Higher Education. On completing this course, if you don’t wish to take the 3rd level route, you are still very well equipped to go directly into the workplace.
As well as being eligible to apply to Irish IT colleges for entry into second year, Digital Media graduates can apply to a range of UK colleges and universities to do a one year top-up to achieve an Honours Degree.
In that way this course can be viewed as the first two years of a three year degree.
On completing this course, if you don’t wish to take the 3rd level route, you are still very well equipped to go directly into the workplace.
BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media (Motion Graphics route)
BGHC2
603/2282/2
This is a two year course.
Leaving Certificate or equivalent. All applicants are interviewed with a portfolio of work and places are awarded on suitability.
Photoshop, After Effects, 3D modelling, VFX, Motion Graphics, Animation, Web Design and more!
Students gain skills in leading industry computer packages such as:
- 3DS MAX
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Audition
- Adobe Illustrator
Year One covers a broad range of skills in computer graphics, video, compositing, animation and web design.
Year Two focuses on 3D modelling, visual effects and animation techniques. Students also learn to promote themselves professionally.
Whether you have zero experience in 3D modelling, or if you have already been learning 3D with programs like Blender, 3DS Max, Maya, Cinema 4D or ZBrush, this course will take take your 3D skills to a professional level.
Year One
- Image creation and editing in Adobe Photoshop
- Video post-production & animation in Adobe After Effects
- Project development
- Motion graphics practices
- Visual Effects & motion graphics cultures
- Professional practice
- Website design
Year Two
- Advanced motion graphics studies
- 3D computer modelling & animation
- 3D character rigging & animation
- 3D cinematography
- Sound design & editing
- Visual effects & video compositing
- Advanced editing & compositing
- Personal professional development
Graduates have an excellent and adaptable skills set. Recent graduates are employed in web design, e-learning, 3D animation, architectural visualisation, film post-production and video-game graphics. They work for a broad range of companies such as Wavebreak Media, Framestore, Factory Media, M-I-E, SceneStealer, Jellyfish, Doodle Creative, Twitter, Red Man Media, Hopkins Communications and many more.
NOTE: for a detailed list of where our Digital Media Graduates are working now, please explore our 'Highlights' section below.
390 CAO Points can be earned by students on successful completion of this Course.
For full details on progression opportunities see these links:
Cork Colleges Progression Scheme
Note: Some of the courses below also offer the possibility of advanced entry into 2nd and 3rd year of their courses for students who achieve high enough grades in their HND at CSN.
- Various UK colleges for a 1-year top-up course to achieve a BA in Multimedia
- B.A. (Hons) Top Up Degree In Animation (1 year): Colaiste Dhulaigh delivered in Dublin in conjunction with the University of Wolverhampton (UK).
- CIT BA (Hons) Photography with New Media (CR225)
- CIT: BA (Hons) in Creative Digital Media (CR112).
- LIT: BSC (Hons) Game Art & Design (Level 8) (LC502)
- LIT: BSC (Hons) Creative Media and Design (Level 8) (LC517)
- LIT: BSC (Hons) Digital Animation Production (Level 8) (LC518)
- LIT: BSC Creative Media and Design (Level 7) (LC504)
- IT Tralee: Interactive Media (TL290)
NOTE: for a detailed list of where our Digital Media Graduates are working now, please explore our 'Highlights' section below.
This year's BTEC Higher National Diploma Digital Media graduates are moving in some very exciting directions
Laura Clarke
Offered One year BA top-up in Animation Coláiste Dhúlaigh Dublin as well as Year 3 direct entry onto BA in Animation LIT CLonmel
“The teachers on the Digital Media course have extensive knowledge in their fields and were always happy to help. I started this course with no clear idea of what career I wanted but after completing the course, it became clear to me that animation was the subject I enjoyed the most.. My time in CSN was invaluable to me, not just for all of the skills I’ve learnt but also in gaining confidence and helping me find what career path I should pursue.”
Molly Coffey
Heading off to Southampton Solent University for One year BA top-up in Digital Media.
“I did Digital Media at CSN and I can honestly say the lecturers and the course were amazing, I am very sad to leave the college! its amazing, I recommend it!!!! a lot! XD"
Michal Draszanowski
Going on to do a One year BA top-up in Animation Coláiste Dhúlaigh
“I had one of the best times of my life in CSN! The teachers are absolute legends and no words can describe how grateful I am for everything they taught me. If you’re a creative person with visual ability look no further."
Cian Finn
Heading off to Solent University for One year BA top-up in Digital Arts.
“We would all sign a petition to add on another year because we loved our time at CSN!”
Jos Gijbels
Entering straight into 3rd year BSc Creative Media and Design LIT
“The whole time spent there was great. I would highly recommend the course to anyone creative and wanting go transfer that to the digital world.”
Fionn O’ Brien
Gone straight into the world of work!
"The one on one help you get in CSN is extremely beneficial and the friendly atmosphere in the classroom makes your college experience very enjoyable."
Sophie O’ Connor
Offered places in LIT Clonmel, Solent University & Tralee IT
“I really enjoyed the two years studying Digital Media. I made great friends and the course was amazing and I've learned so much.”
Ed Samas
Talented 3D graphics artist with a bright future in the industry
“Fantastic course with the best teachers I ever had, really great facilities that allow you to create amazing pieces of work. I found in the second year that 3D was my thing, and I am now selling 3D models”
Garry O’Keeffe
Entering straight into 3rd year BSc Creative Media and Design LIT
“I could not recommend this programme more highly for growing creatively, learning a vast amount of valuable industry standard skills, and developing professionally and personally.”
STUDENT WORK
2D Animation
Laura Clark, Digital Media Year 1.
A 28 second animation of 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss.
Drawings done in Adobe Photoshop and animated in Adobe Animate. Audio from the UK audiobook on audible.co.uk read by Rupert Degas.
The Name of the Wind Animation from Laura Clarke on Vimeo.
3D Cinematography
A trailer for 'The Last of Us' by Fabien White
Previous Graduates
Previous graduates of Digital Media such as Iva Trajkovic (See her IMDB page here) have gone onto successful careers in visual effects and compositing for film.
IvaVfx Showreel from ivavfx on Vimeo.
A number of our graduates have excelled in 3D modelling and animation including Zoltan Kovary and Kevin O'Shea.
Zoltan Kovary: 'Priceless'.
Where our Graduates are Working Now
Oliver Keane
Head of Motion Graphics and Animation, Factory Media London,http://factorymedia.com
I would not be in my position if it wasn't for the Digital Media course at CSN. I owe a lot to this course and the teachers for helping me start my journey into the industry, without this course I would have not gotten my degree or a job.
Richard Gavin
Lecturer on the Digital Animation and Creative Multimedia course in LIT Clonmel (MA Digital Effects at NCCA).
Brian McCarthy
Digital Designer as Scenestealer Brighton, UK www.scenestealer.tv www.brianmacdesigns.com
"The foundation and support offered to Digital Media students is fantastic; there is always help and resources for students who put in the work required to acquire good grades."
Laura Ring
Front End Developer at Jellyfishhttp://www.jellyfish.co.uk/
(BA Digital Media Design, University of Brighton)
I wouldn't have the job I have today if it wasn't for the Digital Media course at CSN. It gives you a fundamental knowledge that can be applied to all areas of digital media and a strong grounding in practical skills, software, and production. Thank you Andrea, John and Rupert!
David O' Brien
Designer / UI Prototyper at Twitter
Arthur O' Regan
UX Designer at Xanadu Consultancy.
Edel Lougheed
Marketing & Design Dept., Eagle Consumables, New Zealand.
The lecturers in CSN Digital Media are down to earth and very passionate about their roles, something that is so important to students. There was a wide range of classes available that gave the students a taste of each creative area. I have referred other people who are not sure of 3rd level colleges onto CSN.
Jack French
Web Designer & Developer Red Man Media in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.www.redmanmedia.ie.
Studying Digital Media at CSN was a really great experience.
Iva Trajkovic
Iva's IMDB http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3765256/
Iva was introduced to compositing and 3D as part of her BTEC HND using software like 3DS Max & Combustion. After CSN Iva went on to do a one-year BA top up course in Bournemouth. She was then accepted onto the prestigious MA in Digital Effects in Bournemouth University and from there landed a job with one of the world's top visual effects and post-production companies Framestore CFC after completing this course and advancing on to others.
Iva's film visual effects credits include:
Gravity, World War Z , Frankenweenie, Dredd, Wrath of the Titans, Immortals , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Resident Evil: Afterlife, Clash of the Titans, Nanny McPhee Returns, Legends of Chima (Animated TV Series).
Jessica O'Callaghan
www.jessocallaghan.com BA in Digital Media Design Brighton (University of Brighton one-year top up degree). UK National Media UK Award Design winner.
Currently working as a Digital Designer for a HTML5 based online advertising company, Scenestealerhttp://scenestealer.tv .
The CSN Digital Media course was amazing. Everyone who came over to Brighton (to do the University of Brighton one-year top up degree) from Cork was way more technically skilled than those who had done the first two years in Brighton. I learnt so much in those two years, what I learnt at CSN got me my degree; I wouldn't have done half as well without it."
Killian Foley
Currently completing a BSc (Honours) in Creative Multimedia at LIT.
I really enjoyed my time at CSN. Unlike big universities, the class was nice and small, making it easier to be social with my whole class. Whenever we needed help with anything, the lecturers were more than happy to help out. I loved the content of the course, and while we weren't overloaded with work, we were given a good challenge. In relation to the course I'm currently studying (Creative Multimedia - BSc (Honours) (Level 8)), I had a good head start, thanks to what I learned in Digital Media.
Kevin O'Shea
Working as a 3D and motion graphics artist for an M-I-E, an animation studio in London http://m-i-e.com
BA in Digital Media Design Brighton (University of Brighton one-year top up degree).
I loved my time at CSN. If I could go back and do it again I would. I met a lot of different people who had gone through a lot of different courses in Digital Media and none of them were as comprehensive or as practically useful as this course. I thought the course was excellent with a great mix of software and theory that opens up a huge amount of options to everyone who graduates. I was very happy with what was taught to me.
Christopher Buckley
Dog Day Media www.dogdaymedia.com
Working for Prisma Print in Cork doing graphic & web design. Also collaborating with a photographer John Daly http://johndalyinspire.com
The CSN Digital Media course offers a very diverse and in-depth footing in the Digital Media world, more so than any other similar course as far as I can tell. I really appreciated the time being put in by the tutors to actually help you learn how to design effectively rather than just handing you the briefs which I've encountered in other media courses. I have CSN alone to thank for starting me on my career in Digital Media and there is no other course I would recommend to someone if they are looking to develop an interest in Digital Media and possibly make a career out of it!
Andrew Field
My experience studying Digital Media at CSN has been hugely beneficial; it allowed me to explore and develop my creative abilities. The teaching staff of the course I could not praise any higher! They were very clear and skilled at teaching the course in such a fun and exciting way.
Liz McHugh
Graphic Designer with Hopkins Communications. It is the best course I have done. I found the lectures excellent and I loved the course and what we covered over the two years.
Jessica Coughlan
Working in Film & TV Production.
I really enjoyed my time at CSN and most certainly benefited from it. I would highly recommend this course to anybody with an interest in the media sector.
Zoltan Kovary Editor and motion graphics artist, working in the film industry.
Daria Grieco: Editorial manager at Amazon.
Joey Teehan: Owner of Subliminal Design Studio
DM_graduate_interview
Digital Media graduate Stacey Burns interviewed