Graphic Design, Photography, Film & Television & Fine Art

The Higher National Certificate (HNC) and the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Graphic Design, Photography and Fine Art is a two-year programme providing you with a specialist vocational grounding in art, design and media. The programme is split into two one-year programmes. The HNC is a level 4 programme, when this is completed successfully you will have the opportunity to progress onto the HND at level 5.

There will be a strong emphasis on the development of both individual creative practice and an understanding of professional and employment-focused skills. The programme will also provide you with a higher level of contextual awareness of art and design practices, enabling you to progress onto top-up to a full degree.

Our goal is to prepare you for a successful career within the creative arts industry. Building on previous knowledge and skills in art, design and media, the course is structured to provide opportunities across a broad academic and vocational base, progressively deepening your knowledge and skills. Based on the current specification from the awarding body, you will undertake two units to complete the first year of the programme and two units to complete the second year.

A range of teaching and learning methods including seminars, lectures, group work, tutorials and e-learning are used, with a work-related, problem-solving and research-based approach emphasised. You will engage in practical workshops, theoretical studies, group and individual critiques, lectures and both physical and online exhibitions. Residential trips both home and abroad are an important part of the course but are optional.

Course Modules

The course will focus on three main areas of specialisation: photography, graphic design and fine art. You will undertake general art and design project work and sample all pathways, working to your existing strengths but, at the same time, developing many new skills and competencies.

Building on previous knowledge and skills in art and design, the course is structured to provide opportunities across a broad academic and vocational base, progressively deepening students’ knowledge. We also offer different pathways in; Fine Art, Photography and Graphic Design.

Based on the current specification from the awarding body, students will undertake two units to complete the first year of the programme. These are currently (subject to change) planned as:

A1: Concept & Development

A2: Creative Practice

The second year of the course will then follow on with a further two units. These are currently (subject to change) planned as:

Unit B1: Personal Professional Development

Unit B2: Professional Project

Assessments for the course may take a variety of forms, from practical tasks, group work and presentations to formal, written assignments and reports.

Academic and practical skills developed through the course focus on workplace and transferable skills to equip students for progression into employment, developed alongside academic skills such as research, problem analysis and critical thinking to support progression to higher level study. You will develop the ability to work independently and on your own initiative.

You will develop career-ready employment skills which will include:

Technical and practical confidence in the use of a wide range of professional-level equipment management of the digital workflow (ideas-artwork-production-reproduction)
The ability to manage time effectively and to plan to meet your client’s expectations
Awareness of budgets, production costs and charging for time
The ability to communicate your ideas to others and present compelling concepts appropriately
The capacity to work safely and responsibly throughout the creative process when dealing with clients and other stakeholders