Art and Design (National Diploma)

Art and Design (National Diploma)
NATIONAL DIPLOMA This course is ideal if you are fully committed to a career in some aspect of art and design and do not want to combine your study of art with other subjects;it is an 18-unit Diploma, equivalent to three full A levels. The eighteen units of this practical course cover a wide range of areas in depth:

• Painting
• Graphics
• Printmaking
• History of Art
• Sculpture
• Fashion and Textiles
• Surface Design
• Computer Illustration and Animation
• Photography
• Fine Art

Year 12 Course Content
There are a variety of practical workshops, life drawing classes, lectures, group discussions, visits to galleries, and â€-live' assignment. You will cover areas such as:

• Drawing: Develops your skills and encourages the use of mark making as an exploratory tool using a variety of different media.
• Materials and Techniques: You will explore and experiment with a range of materials, techniques and processes, including painting, printing, photography, textiles, 3D and graphics.
• Graphics Illustration and Animation: Using doodles, scribbles, 3D illustrations and computer graphics, you will gain confidence in your digital skills and develop your knowledge of computers in art and design.
• Photography: You will develop a specialist understanding of a range of media and techniques associated with black and white and digital photography.
• Surface Design and Textiles: Explores the possibilities of printing and felt making and the application of colour materials and construction techniques.
• Art History: Provides an understanding of key movements in art, craft and design, develops your research skills, enriches key practical assignments and extends your visual and written analysis.

Year 13 Course Content
You will specialise in a particular area of art, craft or design, undertaking further assignments in an independent direction.

Work Experience
You also have the opportunity of a two-week professional placement in a design studio or a fine-art workshop where you explore the key requirements of working safely, legally and professionally. Placements have included graphic design, interior design, painting restoration, craft design, exhibition design and commission work.

On completion of the Year 13 course, your work will be part of our annual summer exhibition, which is open to the public.

Visits and Visiting Artists
In addition to practical studio work, you will also have the opportunity to work with visiting artists. The course regularly arranges trips to local museums and the Tate Modern, UCAS Art Fair and other national exhibitions. Students will also have the opportunity to join the annual overseas trip.

Assessment
All assessment is by coursework portfolios.

Is the Art and Design National Diploma for me?
You will enjoy and benefit from the Art and Design National Diploma if you are fairly certain that you would like to explore a wide range of art and design subjects with no examinations; and possibly follow a career in art and design.

Art and Design National Diploma and your future
This qualification can lead on to Foundation Degrees and Honours Degrees and employment at junior design level. National Diploma students do not need to undertake a Foundation year to enter a degree course; our students regularly gain places on a variety of degree and diploma courses at a range of universities.