The model is curved in a long fluid arc on the floor in the midst of a forest of easels. All around her, students wielding two-inch household brushes are busily splashing acrylic paint, ink and gouache on canvases in an attempt to capture her essence.
Tutor Jean Clyne explains that this is the first time the graphic design students are using paint. The life drawing class is an attempt to allow them to "play with paint, to explore and find their own voice. As an illustrator, you have to love the materials." The reason for the household brushes - to loosen the students up and get them thinking creatively, rather than worrying about technique with fine brushes.
Of course, computers are the tools of the trade but the course does not over-emphasise technology, she says. "The last thing we want to do is to produce clip-art artists. There has to be a balance between traditional and digital media."
Graphic design is a new offering at Colaiste Dhulaigh's art and design campus in Raheny. A two-year BTEC higher national diploma (equivalent to a national certificate here), it can lead to a place on a degree course in University of Wolverhampton.
Colaiste Dhulaigh offers six courses in the art and design area. Five of these have links with courses in British universities or institutes of technology while the sixth is a portfolio preparation course. This latter course prepares students for entry to third-level colleges such as NCAD, DIT and DLIAT.
The Raheny campus houses some 150 students in a former school. The main campus is two miles away. The catchment area for Colaiste Dhulaigh is evenly split with half of the students drawn from the surrounding area of north Dublin and half from around the State.
Interior design student Eoin Ward comes from Cootehill, Co Cavan. He began a construction studies course in Galway-Mayo IT but found it didn't suit him. He is enjoying this course with its combination of the artistic and technical.
The class is currently making three-D sketch models in card - the apartments are being designed to meet the needs of two mythical characters, Greg and Bob, one extrovert, the other a quieter sort.
Fellow student Grainne Coyle, from Oldcastle, Co Meath, did the Leaving Cert 10 years ago and returned to education last year, doing a PLC course in Cork. She says the interior design course is a "lot of hard work" but she is clearly pleased with it, although she doesn't know if she will progress all the way to degree.
Eimear Farrell, head of the department of art and design, says students who successfully complete the two-year interior design course can progress to the second year of a three-year degree in the universities of Humberside or Luton or to the second year of interior architecture in Sligo IT or industrial design in Letterkenny IT.
"The first year of the course includes painting, sculpture, mixed media, design, CAD and architectural drawing. In second year, it is split equally between interior design and furniture design," she says. It is not an interior decoration course, she stresses. So those inspired by programmes such as Changing Rooms should have a serious think before they enrol.
When it comes to architecture, demand far outstrips supply for the degree courses offered by DIT and UCD. Architect Paul Sinnott (who works in partnership with Duncan Stewart of RTE fame) says Colaiste Dhulaigh's one-year architectural design course acts as a preparation for degree courses in Hull and Luton universities in England.
Architecture in Britain takes six years, as opposed to five here, notes Sinnott, so it's a long haul. "Most of the students doing this course have an average Leaving Cert so they have to prove they have some ability. The principals from the two colleges come over there to look at portfolios and then make offers to students." So far, everyone who has completed the one-year course has got an offer of a place on a degree course. But, there is a fairly high attrition rate with 12 or 13 students out of an initial intake of 20 usually finishing the course.
The college also has a computer aided design course which is linked to the University of Wolverhampton. Course co-ordinator Roger Bell says most of the students spend three years in Colaiste Dhulaigh and one year in Britain, to complete a degree. As for jobs, he says "employers are screaming out for people. If I let an employment agency in here we'd have no students after second year." The course is focused on the built environment so graduates usually find work in architectural practices and related areas.
