Art & Design Foundation Diploma (Full-Time)

This course offers a broad series of project-based art and design units, which lead to specialisation in one or more areas. The general areas of study include: fine art; drawing; visual communication; photography; three dimensional design; fashion and textiles. Written research is integrated with practical work.

The course prepares you for entry to higher education within the art and design sector and also for initial entry into art or design careers.

Named Awards

Level 3 Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art & Design)

Course Content

Exploratory Stage

Unit 1 Information and Research

Development of understanding, ideas and a sense of personal direction in the practice of art, craft, design and communication are all based on research and information. In this exploratory unit, you will be guided in researching contemporary, historical and cultural contexts and precedents. You will begin to relate your own emerging practice to the work of others. The unit also introduces you to the ways of working and material processes that will enable you to develop your own creativity and engage in self-reliant learning.

Unit 2 Recording & Responding

In this exploratory stage unit, you will be able to develop skills in observing and recording what you see, hear, think and feel. You then learn how to work with this information, and how to move it forwards into new and unfamiliar areas. In particular, you will be able to recognise the importance of drawing in your development as a creative practitioner, through critically reviewing how it informs and guides creative processes across disciplines of practice in art, craft, design and communication.

Unit 3 Media Experimentation

Media and materials are essential components of art, design, craft and communication. They range from traditional processes to more unusual and exciting forms found in contemporary work. In this unit, you carry out imaginative experimentation in order to explore what can be achieved using a wide variety of media. You will be encouraged to enjoy the special qualities of different media and recognise how they can be used in relating theory to practice.

Pathway Stage

Unit 4 Information & Interpretation

Creative practitioners use their knowledge of the contemporary visual world and their awareness of historical and cultural developments to inspire and inform their own creative work. This unit enables you to develop your own critical understanding of contemporary, historical and international contexts. You can expect to be encouraged to use this awareness in establishing a personal creative identity within your chosen direction, or pathway towards future advanced study, in a professional field of art, design, craft or communication.

Unit 5 Combined Experimental Studies

Creating successful art, craft, design and communication work involves a selective bringing together of skills, processes and understanding. In this pathway stage unit, you learn how to combine your own developing ideas with ways of making and visualising, as you continue to work with a variety of media and material handling techniques. There is the opportunity to imaginatively select research methods and processes and to further a critical understanding of your own creative thinking and working processes.

Unit 6 Media Development

The choice of media and materials has an influence on people's appreciation of the form, nature and function of images and objects. In this unit you will explore how your own ideas development and solutions can be influenced by the ways in which you explot the characteristics and properties of chosen media and materials. This unit will be assessd through your portfolio against the unit outcomes. Your work will be graded at key stages and at tghe end of the programme against overarching criteria.

Unit 7 Preparation & Progression

Information, guidance and support for students in identifying their future aims and possible progression to higher education is a central part of Foundation studies. This pathway stage unit enables you to spend time in analysing your own strengths, capabilities and ambitions and to evaluate your skills in relation to application to undergraduate courses. Tutors will advise you on how, when and where to apply and on presenting your portfolio of work. Identifying your way forward within the huge range of possibilities is a process of self-discovery and involves discussion with other students, friends, family and tutors. The skills of informed and critical self-reflection which you learn in this unit will be of considerable use later in your chosen profession.

Confirmatory Stage

Unit 8 Integrating Theory & Practice

The ability of students to manage their own personal learning and development is a vital skill that helps them achieve their ambitions. In this confirmatory stage unit, you will have the opportunity to extend and develop your understanding within your chosen pathway in art, design, craft or communication. You will be expected to show initiative and make decisions for yourself, but tutors will support and guide you in deepening your knowledge, skills and understanding . This will involve researching and discussing in written form your understanding and insights into those aspects of contemporary, historical and/or cultural practice which relate most closely to your own ideas.

Unit 9 Personal Confirmatory Study

It is crucial that students conclude their Foundation studies with an all-round understanding of their achievements, present position and future potential. In this confirmatory stage unit you will be asked to bring together the knowledge, skills and understanding that you have acquired to carry out a major project. This will involve a substantial written proposal in which you identify what you have achieved to date, what you want to do for your project and why you want to do it. You will be asked to clarify and agree on the scope of the work and to provide yourself with a schedule for managing your time, the resources you will need and for ensuring you present the results to a set deadline. Tutors will be on hand to advise, guide and support you in writing your proposal and in carrying out your project. The results of all final projects are presented for final assessment and as a public exhibition held at the end of each academic year.

Entry Requirements

A good portfolio plus one of the following:

• At least Grade C in five GCSE's
• At least Grade C in four GCSE's, plus one A Level pass
• Equivalent qualifications or experience