Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media

What you'll study

Foundation is the recognised way for students to identify their creative strengths to develop a portfolio and the necessary skills for successful entry onto a degree course.

Foundation students who successfully complete the Foundation Diploma with us are guaranteed a place on a degree course at AUB.*

During the first stage of the Foundation course, students explore creative elements, processes and principles in Art, Design or Media through projects and workshops. Drawing is central to learning on Foundation, and all students engage in experimental drawing; Life drawing; location drawing; sequential drawing and exploration of formal elements.

Students engage in projects that introduce them to a range of approaches in Art, Design and Media. Tutors work with students to diagnose their strengths to help them identify and refine decisions for future study at undergraduate level.

At the end of Stage One, you will select one of our specialisms, so that you can make informed decisions about your choice of undergraduate courses:

Fine Art, 3D Design, Illustration, Graphic Communication, Photography, Fashion, Costume and Textiles and Film and Animation.

We encourage all students to experiment and take risks on the course, to be ambitious and discover creative strengths and interests.

Assessment is based on a presentation of project work and takes place on completion of each stage of the course. Tutorials and Assessments are used to provide guidance on progress and potential in areas of specialist study. The final major project in the third and final stage of the course is graded as pass, merit or distinction.

STAGE 1

Diagnostic investigation into creative practice

Art

• Conceptual and lateral thinking
• Printmaking
• Drawing and mark-making
• Personal, open-ended enquiry
• Relevant skills development

Design

• Problem-solving
• Responding to a brief
• Sustainability and ethical practice
• Drawing and mark-making
• Understanding context and audience
• Relevant skills development

Media

• Time-based enquiry
• Sound
• Photoshop
• Video editing
• Constructing / deconstructing images
• Drawing and mark-making
• Relevant skills development

STAGE 2

Developing specialist practice

Fine Art

• Student-led briefs
• Theory and critical thinking
• Painting technology workshops
• 3D workshops/casting/mould-making
• Exploration of context
• Time-based media workshops

Graphic Communication

• Theory and critical thinking
• Design for good
• Information graphics
• Visual communication
• Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign
• Book and Zine production
• One day workshops

3D Design

• Technical workshops
• Casting/mould-making/Lasercutting
• Google SketchUp
• Exploration of 3D contexts
• Theory and critical thinking

Illustration

• Book and authorial illustration
• Genre study
• Experimental drawing workshops
• Digital practice/Illustrator
• Life drawing
• Printmaking
• Theory and critical thinking

Fashion, Costume and Textiles

• Fashion illustration
• Garment construction/ Mannequin
• Photoshop/print processes
• Papermaking
• Machine knit/embroidery workshops
• Theory and critical thinking

Photography

• Critical theory
• Advanced Photoshop
• Studio photography
• Location lighting
• Medium format camera use
• Documentary workshops
• Book design
• Theory and critical thinking

Film and Animation

• Storyboarding
• Sound & editing workshops
• Premiere/After Effects
• Green screen workshop
• Collaboration with actors
• Script development
• Life drawing/drawing for animation
• Group work
• Theory and critical thinking
• Experimental & documentary work

STAGE 3

Consolidating practice

In the final stage of the course, students build on their strengths, experience and knowledge gained in Stage 1 and 2, and independently initiate and complete a personal project.

In this Final Major Project the subject, research, activity and outcomes are identified and defined by the student. The course culminates in a public exhibition in the Gallery at AUB.