Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media (Accredited by ABC Awards)
This exciting multidisciplinary course is primarily designed to support students in gaining the core skills and creative techniques required to progress onto Higher Education or a career within the creative industries.
The programme builds on students' prior learning within art and design, identifying strengths and developing skills in a range of art and design disciplines. Students will develop independent ways of working, a greater critical awareness of their own work and that of others, and develop an understanding of the career opportunities in creative industries. There will be a series of local and national gallery and museum visits, as well as visiting creative practitioners. You will develop a large portfolio of work, a deep understanding of art and design and will be helped to make decisions about your future within education or the workplace. This course is popular with working adults or those returning to education. Course Overview: We are an independent institute, which enables us the freedom to deliver a foundation course as we believe it should be delivered. We very much embrace the traditions of the Bauhaus school; delivering the fundamental and core skills that are required for all of the creative disciplines. Students will develop skills within observational drawing, confidence in colour theory, gain critical knowledge and understanding of context within art and design methodologies. Students will be encouraged to explore the use of traditional and non traditional media and materials to explore ideas. By the end of the course you should expect to be an independent thinker, self motivated, resourceful, innovative, and fired up with ideas and a toolkit of techniques and processes ready to take onto the next stage of your creative career. Course Structure: Stage 1: Exploratory Throughout the first stage you will undertake a series of induction workshops into a range of creative disciplines including painting, printmaking, textiles, graphic design and 3D processes. Workshops run alongside a core programme in drawing and visual studies, creative methodologies and personal/critical research. You will steadily develop your creative and critical skills and ideas through study visits to local and national galleries and museums, and you will develop a short written assignment relevant to your studies. In the latter half of the first stage you will be supported in making applications to university or the workplace and developing a written personal statement about your practice which will support your HE or career application. Stage 2: Pathway During this stage you will select up to 2 specialist areas that will be your focus for study for the pathway stage. You will identify a theme personal interest and this will be the focus for visual and contextual research. Alongside your pathway projects, there will be a programme of contextual study that will inform and extend your critical understanding and awareness of historical and contemporary creative practises. You will initiate personal projects, and along with your cohort develop work towards an external group exhibition. If applying for HE, you will most likely be called for interviews during this stage and you will be supported in refining and selecting your portfolio and participate in interview workshops to prepare you for presenting your work and ideas. Stage 3: Final Major Project The final stage of the course is your opportunity to fully realise your creative vision. You will develop a proposal that reflects you and your interests as a creative practitioner. You will work in your specialist area to realise your ideas and throughout the project document your research and development. You will be supported through tutorials and group critiques in the development of your ideas and work toward a final End of Year exhibition alongside your peers.
'Now I am at university I feel confident in my work and ideas, have the necessary skills to start on my degree and know I am truly in the right course and university.' Read testimonials from our past students here. |
Information for Applicants:
We offer places to both UK and international students. Intensive Option: 5 days a week (term time only). 10.00 - 4.00 September - April 2018 Offers an opportunity to undertake gap year travel or work placement. Full time Option: 3 days a week (term time only). 10.00 - 4.00 Begins September 2018 Part time Option: 2 days a week (term time only). 9.30 - 2.30 Begins September 2018 Entry Qualifications: Formal qualifications are not essential for entry to the course, and all applicants will be assessed on merits of their visual portfolio. Applicants will be required to attend an interview and bring a along a portfolio of creative work as well as carry out a short written task set by the tutors to assess suitability for the course and the level of work expected. Interviews: Interviews will take place in the spring term. Applicants will be met by the course team and interviews will be carried out individually to offer the applicant time to discuss their work and why they wish to join the course. Applicants will be given time to ask questions after their interview. Interviews will last approximately 20 minutes. Your portfolio: Applicants should bring with them a portfolio of work which demonstrates their current creative skills and interests, this must include drawing from observation and might include photography, film, animation, textiles, painting, printmaking, 3D, theatrical make up, set design, illustration, fashion and graphic design and life drawing, research into other creative practitioners that interest them. Unfortunately we are unable to make a decision of offer without seeing a portfolio, for overseas students a digital portfolio can be sent prior to interview. Successful candidates will be offered a place after all interviews have taken place. Applicants who are not offered a place on the foundation diploma course will be referred to the art direction course which will equip them with the level of skills required to join the foundation diploma the following year. |
"A mature and established Foundation course...which provides a variety of creative activity supported by good teaching practise and a sound knowledge of art and design, including the wider arts" |
Why choose to study with Artpocket?
We are committed to the development and progression of others within creative industries and believe passionately in the cultural and wellbeing benefits of art practice. Our tutors have a proven track record of successfully equipping students with the vital creative skills needed to embark on a creative career and have provided students with professional portfolios to gain entry onto a range of highly reputed BA (Hons) programmes across the United Kingdom including institutions such as Edinburgh University, Camberwell College of Art & Design, Kingston, Nottingham Trent University, Chelsea College of Art & Design, Norwich University of the Arts, University College of the Arts, Brighton University, Bournemouth University, Manchester Metropolitan University and Falmouth College. The teaching staff possess a wide range of skills and expertise within fine art, art history, design and illustration, all are practising artists or designers and have exhibited locally, nationally and internationally. Norwich has a wealth of art and creative centres and we have strong links with professional practicing artists to offer students to network with and gain access to skills and master classes in traditional art and craft disciplines. To find out more about this course contact us. |