Delivered by academic staff and technologists who are leading practitioners and researchers in their specialist fields, the Professional Diploma is centred on contemporary creative practice and discourse.

This programme embraces a pedagogy rooted in self-directed and life-long learning, echoing the ethos that has fuelled the growth of fab labs globally and resonating with the spirit of “How to Make Almost Anything.” Over the programme students will be guided through a blend of one-on-one and group crits, virtual lectures and discussions.

The programme seeks to instil an attitude of proactive engagement and curiosity, equipping participants with the mindset needed for innovative digital making.

In partnership with Creative Spark – The Centre For Creativity and Innovation – Dundalk, our programme offers participants a unique opportunity to engage in research, discussions, and hands-on projects. This collaborative experience aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of key theories and approaches, highlighting the interconnectedness of technology, ecology, and society.

This programme is accredited by NCAD and delivered at The Enterprise Fabrication Laboratory (FabLab, Dundalk).

Creative Spark’s state-of-the-art technical prototyping and fabrication space offers  more than 200 sq. meters of full equipped space, digital fabrication machinery, power tools and technologies including: FDM 3D printing , SLA 3D printing , SLS 3D printing , 3D scanning , Laser cutting, Waterjet cutting , CNC milling, Moulding and casting, Vinyl printing and cutting , Sewing and embroidery, Electronics workbench.

The programme comprises of four modules.

Technologies taught on this programme include:

• CAD Fundamentals
• Vinyl-cutting
• Laser-cutting
• Vector-Design
• 3D printers
• CNC machine
• Parametric Design and Constraints
• Arduino

Learners on the Professional Diploma in Digital Making will situate their own digital making within contemporary frameworks that emphasise our intricate entanglement with the world and the objects we create, challenging traditional notions of progress in fabrication and making.

This way of “thinking through making” can be useful for professional teams, life-long learners, educators, as well as independent artists, designers, makers, researchers and creative practitioners with backgrounds in 3D forms, bio-materials.

The programme runs online (weekly or bi-weekly meet-ups on Wednesday evenings, 6pm – 8pm) and in person (weekly, Fridays, 2pm – 5pm).

Creative Principles – Digital Making,  5 Credits,   (12 weeks)
Creative Agendas 1 – Digital Making, 5 Credits, (8 weeks)
Creative Collaboration 1 – Digital Making,  5 Credits,   (4 weeks)
Issue Capstone Brief
Creative Collaboration 2 – Digital Making,  5 Credits,   (4 weeks)
Creative Capstone 1  – Digital Making, 5 Credits,   (6 weeks)

The Professional Diploma in Digital Making is for artists, designers, all kinds of makers from amateur to professionals such as people tv, film and theatre, crafts people, and researchers which could include anyone from ecologists to experimental musicians.

Learners will situate their own digital making within contemporary frameworks that emphasise our intricate entanglement with the world and the objects we create, challenging traditional notions of progress in fabrication and making.

This way of thinking through making can be useful for professional teams, life-long learners, educators, as well as independent artists, designers, makers, researchers and creative practitioners with a backgrounds in 3D forms, bio-materials.

This programme provides a sound and strong basis for further education at MA level, in direct relation to contemporary creative practice and theory, and also within related fields.

The programme is designed to meet the needs of the digital making creative sector within and beyond Ireland. As such the constituent awards explicitly address key requirements identified in extensive discussions and research undertaken with industry partners and representative bodies such as the Arts Council, Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and Institute of Designers in Ireland, and findings from government and sectoral reports.The programme seeks to provide the transversal and specialist digital making skills to equip creative practitioners to work within existing career paths, while also forging careers and creative pathways and learning.

All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)

Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements may be considered on the basis of prior work or learning experience (RPEL). Candidates may be required to pass a qualifying examination set by the relevant department before being accepted to a Masters degree programme. Attendance at selected undergraduate lecture courses at NCAD, together with related written work
may be prescribed.

You may apply for the programme if you are currently completing your Undergraduate Degree. NCAD will review the rest of your application If necessary, we can make you a Conditional Offer. When your degree is completed and you send us final transcripts we will upgrade this to a Full Offer.

Supporting Documents Required:

Prof Dip

• A Statement of Interest – 500 words framing your reasons for applying to the programme. Please indicate a subject/discipline area that you believe
  can best advance your practice.
• A recent CV
• Certified transcripts of previous programmes
• Certified copies of degree / certificates and/or other appropriate third level qualifications bearing the official stamp of the institution.
• English Language Proficiency certificate. This is only required if English is not your first language. You can see the full list of the English Language Qualifications NCAD recognises on the website

Adam Gibney – Academic Lead, NCAD

A multi-disciplinary artist, educator, and researcher with a Master of Arts by Practice-Based Research Degree and First Class BA(Hons) in Visual Arts Practice.
With extensive experience utilising coding, electronics, digital fabrication techniques, and more traditional new media technologies such as video, sound and photography to create conceptual artworks and engaging experiences.
Through art-practice, honoured to have received several prestigious awards, including the Aileen
MacKeogh Award for the most outstanding graduating creative student at the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, the Siamsa Tíre Emerging Artist Award, and the Arts Council Visual Arts Bursary award.
A rich experience of exhibiting both nationally and internationally,  most recent solo exhibitions include “Can_you_breathe_for_me?” (Oonagh Young Gallery, Dublin, 2021) and “Projective Verse 9: Deep Breadths” (Daegu Foundation of Culture, South Korea, 2017).
Currently,  lecturing in Interaction Design and Fine Art at NCAD with previous experience in visiting and assistant lecturing in New Media, Fine Art and Interaction Design at IADT, TUD, NCAD, and UL.

Oscar Diaz – Education and Operations Manager, Creative Spark

Oscar Diaz is versatile practicioner with a Bachelor of Architecture, a diploma in Urban Innovation and Energy Efficiency, and advanced digital fabrication and parametric design certifications from the FabAcademy (Academany) and CONTROLMAD Advance Design Centre S.L. With extensive experience in FabLab management and network, advanced prototyping, and instructional roles like FabAcademy global diploma instructor (2018,2019 and 2024), Oscar has refine his skills in design, project development, and digital fabrication. His expertise spans electronics design and production, programming, CAD, and both additive and subtractive manufacturing.
Oscar has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Fab Foundation scholarship in 2017 and the Chevron STEM Education Award in 2019. He is also noted for his previous roles where he played a key role in pioneering digital fabrication initiatives and promoting local innovation.
His professional journey includes impactful positions as Project Manager at AQUA.LUX, Consultant Architect for the Merida Municipality, Director of Fab Lab Yucatan, and Project Coordinator at Fab City Yucatan, focusing on urban planning, technology integration, and climate action initiatives.
Currently, Oscar continues to drive forward digital fabrication and STEAM education as the Enteprise FabLab Education and Operations Manager at the Creative Spark Dundalk, leveraging his extensive experience to develop training programs and foster innovation in the SMEs and entrepreneurship fields.

Carl McAteer – Technical Manager, Creative Spark

Carl McAteer is a experienced designer with a Bachelor’s in Product Design and a recent Certificate in Design and Parametric Fabrication.  With a unique skillset in additive and subtractive manufacturing, CAD, and digital design, Carl is an expert at integrating problem-solving and design thinking into practical solutions using digital fabrication.
His career highlights include roles such as Designer and Junior Production Manager at PWS Signs, Design and Production Manager at O’Connors Kitchen, and Designer and Advanced CAD Technician at Farrell Furniture, where he led R&D and trained junior staff.
A notable achievements includes securing funding for a circular economy project with OPW and ATU and completing the Innovation for Growth Programme with Farrell, facilitated by the Irish Management Institute and Enterprise Ireland.
Currently, working as a Enterprise FabLab Technical Manager at Creative Spark Dundalk, where He expertly oversees equipment operations, ensuring top-notch safety and fabrication standards while guiding team members through complex design and manufacturing challenges.

From the NCAD internal pilot run:

“The course has had a significant and positive impact on my learning in the area of Digital Making. I had a basic level of skills and
knowledge in digital making before the course and I feel I have advanced my skills significantly over the course duration”.

“The Digital Making course was really well structured and delivered. It enabled me to update my skills and opened up new possibilities for
prototyping and producing work”.

“Great introduction to new techniques; the workshop environment; shared learning”

“Excellent demonstrations by academic staff. Clear communication via VLE and in-person. Coherent course structure”

Apply via NCAD HERE

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet Partnership Rate

Creative Futures Academy is delighted to collaborate with Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet to offer a special partnership rate of €1,250 for qualifying candidates, which includes those resident in the Republic of Ireland and not already in receipt of a bursary, grant aid or a scholarship for this course and not participating in a CE scheme or in receipt of Unemployment Benefit. Find out more HERE

This Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet programme is co-funded by the Government of Ireland & the European Union. www.eufunds.ie

Fees for those who do not meet the Skillnet criteria are €2,200.

APPLY NOW VIA CCI SKILLNET