What does it include?

This 1-year design course will introduce you to a range of 2D & 3D visual language and design skills. Using Visual research as a starting point you will learn and develop a broad range of practical techniques and skills to produce creative work in the areas of 2D and 3D design including:

• Constructed Textile Design
• Digital Design
• Photography

You will be taught by dedicated and experienced lecturers. You will work on design projects that involve exploring the properties and potential of materials for design using a range of 2D & 3D techniques and technologies. Work will involve 2D printing using ink and digital software as well as Photography and developing drawing skills. You will regularly visit museums and galleries to gather information to inform your design work.

We believe that supporting you so that you can pursue a future in design is important, so the course will include helping you to improve and develop your communication skills with additional Key Skills qualification study. You will receive group and individual tutorial support to keep you on track and if needed additional learning support is available.

What do I need to get onto it?

Entry onto the course is by interview. You will need to bring with you some examples of your work that you would like to talk about, a reference from school or college and your National Record of Achievement. At interview you should demonstrate potential to benefit from this course. Ideally you will have 4 GCSEs at D grade. If you don't think that you have the right qualifications but think this is the right course for you then apply or come along to the college to see how we can support you.

Where does it lead?

When students successfully complete this course they have the opportunity to progress onto a level 3 vocational qualification course to develop their design skills in greater depth and equip them with the relevant knowledge and production skills needed to pursue University study or career opportunities in their chosen design subject area.

NB: Day-time programmes of study are available on a full-time basis, or part-time for those in receipt of DSS benefits and needing to satisfy the conditions of availability for work ​

The Application & Interview Process

After your application is received, you will be invited to the college for an interview and expected to demonstrate yourself as an enthusiastic, professional member of the student group.

We will write to you before the interview, requesting anything that you may be required to bring with you. This could be some previous work or projects you have been involved in.

You must provide a positive reference from either your school teacher/form tutor or a previous employer.

You must also bring your grade certificates for completed qualifications and any predicted grades that you have for pending qualifications.

You should also bring a pen and have some questions prepared about the course you are applying for.

Remember you are applying for a place on a competitive course and should be displaying the skills required to impress and succeed in achieving a place on that course.

How is the Course assessed?

You will be assessed continually through practical project work, coursework, written assignments and through giving presentations.

A commitment to high attendance and punctuality is essential to completing the course successfully. You will be subject to a performance review with your tutor if your attendance drops below 90%.

You must keep your attendance high and submitting work within deadlines is a condition of the course.

You will be provided with feedback and support on how to improve grades from your lecturer as long as you meet your submission deadlines. You will receive a grade and supportive feedback within 3 weeks of a successful deadline submission.

Assignments are planned at the beginning of each year to avoid deadlines clashing however sometimes there are busier times of the year. You are however given more than a sufficient amount of time to complete projects/assignments and providing you meet your deadlines you will not be overworked.

If you fall behind you will be subject to performance tutorials with your tutor and be given a plan to support you to getting back on track however completion of work is your own responsibility and meeting deadlines is a compulsory part of your achievement. If you miss deadlines you will not have feedback and grades returned within a short time frame, as your tutors will have other assignments from the course schedule needing marked.

Facilities

All of our courses have access to the same facilities however you will use them in different capacities throughout your experience.

The school of Visual Arts has a variety of resources and facilities exclusive to its courses including;

• Photographic studios
• Colour and Black and White darkroom
• Digital Mac rooms with Create Suite software
• Textiles studio
• Drawing studios

Awarding Body

EdExcel

You can find all programme details with the following link;

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/firsts10/art/Pages/default.aspx 

For further information and to apply

If you wish to apply for this course, please complete a College application form.

If you need help before choosing your course, please contact our Information & Advice Centre or come along to one of our Open days.