BA (Hons) Art & Design with Foundation Year - Full-time

University of Bolton

Bachelor's degree

In Bolton

Price on request

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Description

  • Type

    Bachelor's degree

  • Location

    Bolton

  • Duration

    6 Years

The BA (Hons) in Art and Design with foundation year offers you the opportunity to develop a personalised study programme based on your learning needs and expectations.

Starting with foundation studies that offer a structured introduction to a wide range of materials, processes and techniques, we’ll support you as you develop your own line of visual enquiry, explore different areas of art and design, and develop a sound portfolio of creative work.

Following the foundation level, you’ll choose your specialisms from several combinations of subjects available at the University such as animation and illustration, fine art, graphic design, photography, and textile and surface design. With personalised guidance from our experienced and supportive staff, you can explore the interplay between your two disciplines, and gain experience of different art and design media, techniques and processes. The final year offers a further chance to specialise in one of your areas.

Alternatively, on successful completion of the foundation level, you can opt to transfer to one of our specialist degrees, including Animation and Illustration, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, or Textiles and Surface Design. You can also explore transferring to another subject area offered by the University of Bolton, such as Special and Visual Effects or Games Art.

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bolton (Greater Manchester)
See map
Deane Road, BL3 5AB

Start date

On request

About this course

The skills gained during your Art and Design with foundation year degree are transferable to a range of sectors, including specialised art-related careers and other more general roles. You’ll learn a range of practical art and design skills such as thinking creatively, analysing form, communicating visually, mastering the use of colour, space and line, as well as transferable skills such as analytical and research skills, solving problems, planning and managing time and resources, and collaborating with others. Taking part in exhibitions and events will also improve your confidence and self-awareness.

A career in art and design can cover a plethora of different areas such as painting, illustration, photography, prop design, animation, art conservation, community art, and animation. Sometimes art and design graduates take a less conventional route and opt for freelance opportunities which allow you to be in control of your own business.

You may wish to work in arts administration or community arts projects. Many of our graduates set up small studio practices or work for established studios in their field. To ensure this option is a success you have to rely on more than your artistic abilities, and need to consider the business and marketing skills necessary to ensure you receive enough commissions.

On completion of the degree, you’ll be well placed to enter postgraduate study in a variety of art and design disciplines. You’ll also be able to consider other careers including teaching, art therapy and museum and gallery roles.
Alternative Career Options
Landscape design
Construction
Mechanical design engineering
Costume design
Fashion design
Floristry
Visual merchandising
Textile design
Reprographics
Jewellery design
Interior design
Art editing
Marketing
Advertising
Set design and exhibition design

Your Level 3 subjects must include a relevant subject; for instance, A-level Art or BTEC Extended Diploma in Art and Design.

You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English.

You may be required to attend for interview and provide a portfolio of appropriate work.

Special consideration will be given to applicants with alternative qualifications who have a strong portfolio.

If English isn’t your first language you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent).

Key Features:
Our £10 million purpose-built facilities include extensive studio space, fully equipped fine art workshops, stop motion studios, professional standard traditional and digital photographic studios, and the latest design and technology software for your disciplines.
You’ll have access to a rich visiting speaker programme, providing insight into industry experts’ professional practice and up-to-the-minute developments in the sector.
There are opportunities to work on live project briefs with other University departments and outside organisations.
This flexible course allows you to develop a broad skill base at foundation level, specialise in two disciplines at the next two levels, and benefit from the option to focus on one of your subjects in your final year or continue with a broader study of your two disciplines.

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Subjects

  • IT
  • Design
  • Project
  • Industry
  • Team Training
  • Programming
  • Skills and Training
  • Production
  • 3D
  • Sound
  • 3d training
  • Full Time
  • Computing
  • Networks
  • Problem Solving

Course programme

Modules

Modules listed below are a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules as part of the course.

  • Creative Responses
  • Information and Interpretation
  • Preparation and Progression
  • Specialist Project
  • Scholarship
  • Digital Creativity
  • Applied Creativity
  • 3D Physical Processes
  • Fundamentals and Theories of Studio Practice
  • 2D Art – Principles and Processes
  • Digital Imaging
  • Constructing the Moving Image
  • Industry in Context
  • Thinking Photography
  • Discovering Silver Darkroom
  • Reading Through The Lens
  • Design Principles
  • Thinking with Type
  • Visual Thinking
  • Contextual Studies in Graphic Design
  • Introduction to Studio Practice in Graphic Design
  • Digital Methodologies
  • Visual Storytelling
  • Introduction to Animation and Illustration
  • Contextual Studies in Animation and Illustration
  • Introduction to Studio Practice in Animation and Illustration
  • Material Practices 1
  • Material Practices 2
  • Design Studies 1
  • Surface Pattern: Principles and Processes
  • Employability and Enterprise
  • Past Present and Futures: Theory into Context
  • Advanced 3D Physical Processes
  • Fine Art - Themes, Theories and Practice
  • Advanced 2D - Principles and Processes
  • Fine Art - Promotion and Exhibition
  • Advanced Photo Media
  • The Creative Studio
  • Location, Light, Camera, Context
  • Enterprise and Industry in Context
  • Research and Context in Photography
  • The Professional Studio
  • The Photo Story
  • Craft and Digital Production
  • Design Practice
  • Motion Graphics
  • Design for Emerging Technologies
  • Principles of Animation
  • Principles of Illustration
  • Open Study
  • Advanced Studio Practice
  • The Surface Designer: Digital Textile Design and Print
  • The Designer Maker: Research and Ideas Development
  • The Surface Designer: Studio and Freelance Practice for 2D and 3D
  • The Designer Maker: Making for Exhibition or Sale
  • Professional Practice and Self-Promotion
  • Research in Context
  • Major Project
  • Advanced Practice and Theories in Context
  • Public Art in Contemporary Practice
  • Self Negotiated Photographic Project
  • Professional Practice
  • Applied Critical Thinking in Photography
  • Major Project
  • Advanced Design Practice
  • Advanced Visualisation for Graphic Design
  • Visual Style
  • Character Design
  • Advanced Textile and Studio Practice
  • Advanced Techniques and Processes
Teaching, Learning And Assessment

We use a blended approach to teaching and learning which means you’ll have face-to- face sessions as well as participating in online learning. You can expect to learn through a mix of seminars, lectures and tutorials, practical workshop demonstrations, our visiting speaker programme, critiques, study visits, self-directed study, IT sessions, library and guided study. Your online learning will be supported by the University’s e-learning portal Moodle. You’ll also be encouraged to use the internet for research, and to set up blogs and digital portfolios.

Module-based design briefs help to give you an insight into the professional environment. These involve simulated design briefs, client-led live briefs and competition briefs. Group tutorials and critiques, one-to-one tutor feedback, and regular feedback from clients and collaborators combine to support your learning during this process.

Formal assessment is normally by coursework. This usually involves you presenting your practical outcomes (your artwork) along with a supporting sketchbook of developmental ideas and a written research journal.

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up to date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

See related categories

BA (Hons) Art & Design with Foundation Year - Full-time

Price on request

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