Fine Art

In today’s challenging world, we face a multitude of living and environmental questions which the art and design industries can forge its energies to address. There is always a need for dialogue and collaboration in order to break boundaries, develop understanding and impact change for the greater good. The first year of this course, therefore, will see students with interest in both art and design, collaborate and develop closer working relationships to evolve practical solutions to thematic concerns. We will offer workshops that stimulate debate around significant issues alongside promoting and developing skills from across the Fine Arts, Interior, Product and Fashion and Textiles.

The first year of the course is an interaction of subject attributes and concerns alongside student collaboration. By the end of year one individuals will have an insightful understanding of both artists and designers. Graduating students would then be well-placed to enter and develop their practices with a more specialist focus for the HND and to target degree level study and Industry.

Students will develop broad-based skill sets that will set them up for flexible employability across the art & design disciplines. Students will regularly engage with professionals through live projects and talks and will be tasked with exhibiting work and sharing their progress in a variety of contexts.

You will be suited to this course if you have the ability and/or potential to:

Work imaginatively across 2 & 3D media with both conceptual and aesthetic considerations.
Generate and develop creative ideas in response to a wide range of briefs.
Articulate and communicate your creative intentions clearly.
Show a willingness to collaborate and discuss your work in group situations.
Reflect critically on your activities and learning and demonstrate intellectual inquiry.
Embrace new ways of thinking and exploit the potentials of emerging technologies and sustainable materials.

Course delivery is by practising, specialist Fine Art, Interior, Product and Fashion and Textiles lecturers including visiting professionals in well-equipped studios supported with one-to-one tutorials and group discussions, seminars to inform personal progress and presentation skills.

The course consists of two assessment units which cover the development of core competencies for the workplace: contextual knowledge, ideas generation, design strategies, technical knowledge and skills, professional practice and communication and presentation skills.

You will have the opportunity to work individually and collaboratively on assignments that explore:

Drawing & Conceptual Visualisation
Visual Language, Colour Theory, Print and Surface Design
Contextual Referencing
Digital Technologies*
Exploratory Inquiry into Materials, Techniques and Processes

*In the first year you will be introduced to Adobe Photoshop, illustrator and CAD

The course is set against building appropriate skillsets for art-making in a contemporary context. This will engage students in a range of aspects through on-going projects that might include… drawing, painting, sculpture and installation etc. through a range of conceptual and theoretical assignment considerations, with scope for site-specific and ‘real-time’ projects. The course will always aim to develop portfolio building and professional practice to enhance individual student profiles to ensure that they have a basis for logical professional development/progression.

Attendance Times

You will be required to attend college 12 hours (2 days a week) and to additionally supplement the course hours by working independently a minimum of 12 hours each week. (Days of attendance will be confirmed by Tutors).

Module B Professional Creative Practice

B1 Personal Professional Development
B2 Professional Project

Projects vary but all cover five chief criteria: Contextual Knowledge, Ideas Generation and Development, Technical Knowledge and Skills, Professional Practice, and Communication.

You will be assessed through on-going course work-projects/continuous assessment.