Course details may be subject to change.
This intermediate course will provide you with an introductory art and design experience to help you develop your technical knowledge and practical and research skills. The course is unit-based and offers the ideal introduction into a range of two- and three-dimensional design processes, and the development of fundamental skills, such creative investigation, ideas generation, communication, using creative development processes, developing and applying practical skills and using productive working skills and practice. You will be encouraged to use experimental drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media processes in your work.
Entry Criteria
You will hold a minimum of four GCSEs at grade 3 (or equivalent), including English, maths and a creative subject.
Additional Costs
You will be required to purchase basic art equipment - the price will differ depending on where you purchase the list below from:
- A5 notebook/diary
- A4 ring binder
- A3 sketchbook
- A3 display folder
- Pencils
- Pencil sharpener
- Eraser
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Masking tape
- Blu Tac
- Coloured pencils
- Coloured pens
- Fineliners
- Paints (acrylic or watercolour).
You will also be asked to contribute £25 at the beginning of the year towards trips, visits and more advanced course equipment.
What are the next steps?
You will have an informal chat with the programme team to ensure the course is right for you. Please bring your previous qualifications and your creative portfolio for review.
Study Aims
This art & design qualification offers the opportunity to develop technical art and design skills through a process of self-evaluation, practice and review. The course is designed to stretch and challenge you, to prepare you to progress within the art and design industry. You will have the opportunity to explore creative techniques and processes, and will be introduced to a number of specialisms, including how to apply various popular techniques and processes to different materials. This practical qualification will allow you to develop and test your creativity. You will develop an extensive range of skills that are required for progression into any creative discipline. In addition to the sector-specific content available in this qualification, you will also develop transferable skills needed to progress to further education and ultimately higher education and employment, for example communication, planning and managing projects and creative problem solving. The course and studying at New College Durham will also help you to develop your confidence, and to take ownership of and responsibility for your own direction, work and choices.
Modules Studied
You will study three mandatory learning and teaching modules:
- Exploring and Developing Art and Design Skills
- Personal Development
- Responding to a Creative Brief.
You will also complete four assessed units:
- Skills Development
- Art and Design Project
- Image and mark
- Fashion, wearable and textiles
- 3D, space and product
- Moving image and lens
- Graphic and digital communication.
- Personal Development
- Responding to a Creative Brief.
Times of Delivery
You will be timetabled for vocational, personal development, work experience, independent study, English and maths.
Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.
Teaching and Assessment
You will be required to complete four assessed units.
Portfolio based assessments will be undertaken at key points of progression through the programme, reflecting the results of skills development and ability. This allows a holistic learning experience that balances development of skills with personal growth and intentions.
Progression will also be monitored continually during tutorials and individual action plans will be put in place to ensure you know how you can improve your performance.
You will have a supportive team of art and design staff to assist you throughout the programme.
Industry Links
We are very proud of the strong industry links we hold. To enhance your experience, we work with a number of industry professionals. We have strong links with well-established organisations.
Maths and English
You will have exams for English and maths, everything else will be coursework and portfolio assessed.
You will be expected to complete presentations, teamwork, workshops and assignments throughout the academic year which will be used to create a portfolio of evidence to assist you with your next steps once the qualification is complete.
Placement
You will undertake a 10-day structured work experience, to develop your skills and knowledge in a relevant area. You will be supported throughout the course and will attend sessions to prepare you with work-ready skills for employment within the industry.
What else?
Careers in art and design include being an animator, fashion designer, illustrator, photographer, production designer, fine artist, architect or community arts worker.
Once successfully achieving the L2 Diploma in Art and Design and Grade 4 or above in English and maths, you will have the option to progress to any of our specialist L3 Extended Diplomas where you will continue to develop taught skills at a higher level:
- Fine Art
- Interior Architecture Design
- Fashion Textiles and Surface Pattern
- Fashion Styling and Branding
- Graphics or Digital Arts
