Does entry in Visual Communication in WIT require a portfolio?

UltraGems

I've searched everywhere on their website and can't seem to find any answers!
I have them down on my CAO application allow with several other Vis Com courses which are restricted (requiring a portfolio) .. Yet Vis Com in Waterford is not restricted... does this mean it doesn't need a portfolio? :S

Does it only rely on points?

Thanks in advance

Chochese

It does not require a portfolio. It is not restricted.

UltraGems

Chochese wrote: »

It does not require a portfolio. It is not restricted.

so it's offered to you if you get the correct points?

That's a bit odd for an art course.

Chochese

They take on about 40 people into first year. The top 40 (or whatever number the course will accomodate) points scorers will be offered places, with the lowest placed of these 40 marking the cut off point for CAO Points.

Previous year's points are no guarantee as to what this year's requirements will be.

It's a bit odd for a creative course not to require a portfolio, but anybody who doesn't cut it are usually gone after first year! Since the course was changed to a Level 8 Degree 4 or 5 year back, the dropout rate between first year and fourth year is pretty big. I'm going into final semester now in a class of 18, but in first year we had 35-38.

Maybe the lack of a portfolio requirement tempts people with no fantastic interest in Vis Comm to apply out of curiosity, the strange appeal of 'it's cool to be a designer' (no it isn't :P) or just plain 'it's something to do, innit?'. However, if you have no real interest in working in the industry or are scared of a lot of hard work, you'll probably find the course a bit of a facemelter! I can imagine having a portfolio requirement will assist in weeding out those who are genuinely intersted from those who are not. It's an strange one, not having a restricted entry.

UltraGems

Chochese wrote: »

They take on about 40 people into first year. The top 40 (or whatever number the course will accomodate) points scorers will be offered places, with the lowest placed of these 40 marking the cut off point for CAO Points.

Previous year's points are no guarantee as to what this year's requirements will be.

It's a bit odd for a creative course not to require a portfolio, but anybody who doesn't cut it are usually gone after first year! Since the course was changed to a Level 8 Degree 4 or 5 year back, the dropout rate between first year and fourth year is pretty big. I'm going into final semester now in a class of 18, but in first year we had 35-38.

Maybe the lack of a portfolio requirement tempts people with no fantastic interest in Vis Comm to apply out of curiosity, the strange appeal of 'it's cool to be a designer' (no it isn't :P) or just plain 'it's something to do, innit?'. However, if you have no real interest in working in the industry or are scared of a lot of hard work, you'll probably find the course a bit of a facemelter! I can imagine having a portfolio requirement will assist in weeding out those who are genuinely intersted from those who are not. It's an strange one, not having a restricted entry.

Oh I see.Hard work doesn't scare me and all i want to be is a designer. Well I'm preparing a portfolio atm for other art colleges. Is there an interview of some sort?

How do you find the course? What hours is it?

Chochese

There's an interview if you're applying as a mature student and not using your CAO points.

Personally, I find the course very good. In the first 3-4 semesters you get thought the basic principles and techniques of print design, packaging, photography, illustration etc. In semesters 5-6 conceptual thinking plays a big part. Final year involves a lot of research, idea generation and project work, all to be done to the highest standard.

The work load can be insane at times, class hours usually run to 20-25 hours per week, but a lot of people will stay back to continue on project work in the evenings. It's not unusual to see people pulling in 12 hour days in the studio 3-4 times a week when it's coming towards the end of semester.

The lecturers really know their stuff, too!