Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

Units

Researching and Recording
You will develop research journals, sketchbooks and a portfolio of art, design and media work that reflects your personal strengths. You will manage your time and develop strategies to support your progressional aims. You will also practise presentation skills through mock interviews and scenarios. You will be able to apply the understanding and skills you develop to support your progression to further study and to your art and design practice.

Media Experimentation
A world of new possibilities, avenues for explorations and alternative approaches will become available to you. When working with different media, you will gain knowledge of how to use specialist workshops and should learn about relevant health and safety procedures. You will also learn about technical information on media, techniques and processes.

Preparation for Progression
Develop knowledge to enable you to consider the progression opportunities available from specialist pathway through research, applied critical judgement and the identification of personal goals. The understanding gained will help inform your preparation for progression.

Concepts & Idea development
Develop an understanding of the key concepts which influence the creative intentions and practices of contemporary artists and designers. It will also encourage an awareness of environmental, global, social and political references which have impact upon and can affect developments in areas of art, design and communication.

Major Personal Project
Draw upon the summation of knowledge and skills acquired during your foundation experience to produce a final project of your own choosing. You will have the opportunity to foster and promote innovative ideas and practical work whilst extending your potential contextual and technical abilities in preparation for your progression to higher education. You will be encouraged to adapt and extend personal ambition whilst understanding the professional.

Note: All units are subject to change in order to keep content current

Structure

You will study in three stages:

Stage one introduces and enables you to explore basic art and design skills. This includes working in 2D and 3D with a range of basic material, media and methods. You will learn about drawing in its broadest sense, develop visual language skills and learn how to develop ideas.

Stage two is a programme of specialist studio activities with pathways in fine art, graphic design, 2D and 3D multi-disciplinary design, providing an opportunity to identify your chosen specialist subject. This also prepares you for making applications to degree courses.

Stage three provides an opportunity to confirm your direction in art and design and maximise your potential. You will develop an individual portfolio of work along with an understanding of the contemporary context in which artists and designers work.

Contact hours

On the Art and Design Foundation you will normally attend over 20 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week, and be expected to undertake at least 10 hours of independent study each week.

EU funding

esf

The Foundation Programme is part-funded by the EU through the European Social Fund for our Adult learners (aged 19+)