Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Group A

What does this programme involve? The Pre-degree Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media includes Level 3 and Level 4 units. The qualification is awarded by The University of the Arts, London (UAL) and is delivered in three progressive stages: Stage 1: Learning Skills and Context (Level 3 units) In this initial stage you will undertake a rotation of six specialised workshops providing technical skills relevant to all art, design and media pathways. These are photography/graphics; printmaking/illustration; fashion/textiles; fine art/sculpture; digital video production; research and ideas generation. In addition, you will take part in a week of series of life drawing classes. The workshops are extended through a series of short independent projects, which build on the practical investigation of materials and processes. This will enable students to make an informed and confident choice of pathway specialism. Stage 2: Development and progression (Level 4 units) This stage enables you to focus on a specific pathway. Students will be encouraged to work independently and are provided with individual work stations to facilitate this process. You will produce work in response to assignments with open briefs which allow students to respond individually to challenging and exciting visual problems. You will specialise in the second part of this stage, preparing a digital and paper portfolio in preparation for application and progression to university. Stage 3: Project Proposal and Realisation (Level 4 unit) In this stage you will work with a specialist personal tutor to write and direct an independent Project Proposal. Students will initiate, research and realise, a substantial body of work in response to a subject defined by the learner in their proposal. The project is concluded through a public exhibition of the work produced. It is at this stage that the overall grade is awarded. The UCAS points for these grades are: Pass (165), Merit (225) and Distinction (285). As part of our commitment to work related learning, we offer a programme of guest speakers, all of whom are professional artists and designers with national and international profiles. In addition to this lecture programme, students are given the opportunity of one-to-one tutorials with these visiting artists. Recent visiting artists have included Professor Alice Kettle, textile artist and Senior Research Fellow at Manchester Metropolitan University, Mark Peter Wright, a London based sound artist and Composer of the Year (2009), internationally recognised Graphic Designer Sam Winston, illustrator Jonny Hannah RCA and microbiologist Dr Simon Park, whose has lectured at Chelsea College of Art and whose work with artists and designers has received national and international media coverage.Taught in a studio environment with access to specialist equipment, facilities and workshops, each student is provided with a designated work station within the art studio. As part of a series of set assignment briefs, students receive regular feedback through tutorials and group critiques. The open briefs are designed to encourage independence and facilitate an individual response to complicated and challenging visual problems. Students receive feedback at the end of each assignment and are formerly assessed at the end of each of the three programme stages, receiving both verbal and written feedback. Students will take part in seminars and have the opportunity to attend the visiting lecturer programme. Final grades are awarded in response to the work produced during the Project Proposal and Realisation stage. This requires students to professionally present their work in a public exhibition. It is at this stage students will determine their overall grade as Pass, Merit or Distinction. Students are expected to attend all taught sessions and have additional access to facilities during self-directed study periods. Tutorial periods are designed to facilitate progression and include specialist workshops to help students with their UCAS applications and prepare for the academic environment of university. These sessions include an introduction to Harvard referencing, writing a personal statement and developing an online digital portfolio.