Course Overview 

This is an introduction to Animation and Film as forms of communication and artistic expression. The course covers a range of handmade and digital processes used to create moving images, build worlds, and tell stories. Students will learn about all elements of animation and film production, from initial concept through to completed piece of moving image content with sound. We will study historical and contemporary movements, watch and discuss films, visit exhibitions, work quietly in dark rooms, explore the outdoors, write, draw, record, imagine and create! Possible outcomes are narrative and experimental short films and animations, documentaries, music videos and multimedia installations.  

Preparation for Animation, Character Animation, Computer Animation, Experimental Animation, Directing, Film Practice, Film + TV Production, Art Direction, Design for Screen, Modelmaking, Visual Effects, Motion Graphics, Moving Image Art, Artist Film.  

Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice 

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to their chosen subject as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, further specialism in Unit 2 or 3. 

Projects* 

Mini-projects during Induction and Collaboration weeks:  

Phonotropes: You will create a short sequence of drawings that come to life when placed on a spinning record player and viewed through a camera’s viewfinder. 

Pixilation: In small groups, you will animate people and objects to tell a magical short story. 

• Project 1: Future Fiction 

Imagine the world in 100 years; how will it have changed? You will create a world outline, character design and environment design. During practical workshops, you will build a jointed paper puppet of your character and shoot an animated stop motion sequence against your environment background. 

• Project 2: Animating Spaces 

In small groups, you will devise a short story taking place in the room of a hotel. You will design and build a miniature scale model of the set with props, light it, and make a short animation or film based on a storyboard. You will also design a poster for your film. Workshops on set design, modelmaking, cinematography, 3-point lighting and Dragonframe stop-motion software will support you in creating your project. 

• Project 3: The Past is Present 

You will write a beat sheet and a 2-3 page script in which a person interacts with a past version of themselves. You will then direct, film and edit a live action short film, using a green screen for at least one shot. You will present your film as a physical installation, using a projector and objects, or using screens in an unusual way. In support of this project in 2022, we visited the Uma Breakdown exhibition at Wysing Arts Centre.  

 *Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 

Character Design, Environment Design, Concept Art, World-building, Animation, Stop Motion, Puppet-making, Collage, Pixilation, 3-Point Lighting, Architectural and technical drawing, model making, scaled construction and other 2D and 3D representational techniques, Laser Cutting, Photography, Adobe Suite, Dragonframe, Storyboarding, Scriptwriting, Cinematography, Green Screen, Sound Design, Video Editing, Video Installation.   

Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 3) 

Unit 3 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 4) 

This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Unit 1 of the qualification, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: Narrative 

You will learn about narrative structure in filmmaking and create a short film or animation that tells an interesting story. In 2022, as part of the Cambridge Creative Encounters project, we worked with the theme of Global Catastrophic Risk, creating stories about the end of the world to build awareness around factors that increase the likelihood of civilisation collapse. In support of this project, we spoke to researchers at the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and visited the Science Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts in London.  

• Project 2: Documentary 

After learning about the history of documentary and its use in contemporary practice, you will create a 1-5 minute documentary film or animation on a topic of your choice, beginning with a recorded interview. A practical workshop on interview skills, including lighting and microphone setup, will prepare you for individual approach. A workshop on ethics in animated documentary will support those of you working with animation. 

• Project 3: Sound and Image 

You will create a 1-minute non-narrative film or abstract animation to a piece of composed sound, in collaboration with Music students. You will experiment with materials and focus on colour, shape, movement and speed. Workshops to support this project include direct animation on 16mm film, animating with sand, paint and clay, and digital video effects. 

• Project 4: University research and application 

This Unit is delivered through both weekly personal tutor sessions and 1:1 tutorials in the Autumn term and a UCAS week in September where students visit the UCAS fair in London and are able to research different institutions and courses, speaking to University staff. Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course applying the skills learned in portfolio skills classes. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends.

Skills Learned 

Interview Techniques, Lighting, Sound Recording, 2D Paper and Digital Animation, Walk Cycles, Camera-less Animation, Sand Animation, Claymation, Paint on glass, Collaboration, Production Planning.  

Unit 4 Consolidating Practice 

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its realisation within their chosen professional context. 

Skills Learned 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department. 

Course Overview 

This course will equip you with approaches and expressions in Spatial Design and help you build up a creative portfolio to apply to relevant Higher Education courses. You will learn to do architectural drawings, collages, model making, 1:5 timber construction details, basic surveys and architectural graphics. You will work with physical and digital materials as well as thinking across different scales in the design process and collaborating with other disciplines. You will also be exposed to different elements of design such as research, critical thinking, narrative design, graphic layout, visual and verbal presentation techniques, colour and material palettes. You need to be passionate in the study and prepared to work hard to excel in the course as well as in practice.  

Preparation for Architecture, Interior Design, Interior Architecture Environmental Design, Construction, Architectural Technology, Product Design, Architectural Studies, and History of Art.   

Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice 

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to their chosen subject as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, further specialism in Unit 2 or 3. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: The Shape of the City 

Using the city as a source of inspiration we explore making, testing, exploring 3D structures and dynamic movement of an individual in a social space. This is a collaborative project working together with another discipline, enabling students to cross boundaries and udnertand how one artform informs another. 

• Project 2: Animating Spaces 

In small groups, you will devise a short story taking place in the room of a hotel. You will design and build a miniature scale model of the set with props, light it, and make a short animation or film based on a storyboard. This project enables students to understand how spaces and enviroments can dictate and influence behaviour. Workshops on set design, modelmaking, cinematography, 3-point lighting and Dragonframe stop-motion software will support you in creating your project. 

• Project 3: From Dada to Reality 

Using photocollage as a starting point, you will develop spatial investigation drawings, introducing principles of orthographic drawing. Following this, ideas and narrative develops into a scale model. 

Skills Learned 

Introduction to architectural drawing, collage, making, scaled construction and other 2D and 3D representational techniques, Photography, Animation, Adobe Suite 

Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 3) 

Unit 3 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 4) 

This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Unit 1 of the qualification, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: Openings  

A research based investigation into architectural openings. You will develop an architectural design of a technological component in an architectural context, developing narrative, character, space and setting, considering the audience and user of the space.  

• Project 2: Occupational Narrative 

In this project you research the social, historical and cultural context of making, architectural examples past and present, and spatial sequences of spaces developing a 2D concept for a film or stage set.  

• Project 3: The Mobile Vendor 

In this project we explore how the small space within a vehicle has been adapted. We survey, draw plans and sections, observe and photograph, interview street vendors and develop a proposal for a refurbishment. 

• Project 4: University research and application 

This Unit is delivered through both weekly personal tutor sessions and 1:1 tutorials in the Autumn term and a UCAS week in September where students visit the UCAS fair in London and are able to research different institutions and courses, speaking to University staff. Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course applying the skills learned in portfolio skills classes. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 

Architectural and technical drawing, photomontage, model making, scaled construction and other 2D and 3D representational techniques, Research, introduction to historical and critical perspectives in architecture, basic surveys, Photography  

Unit 4 Consolidating Practice 

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its realisation within their chosen professional context. 

Skills Learned 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department. 

Course Overview 

This combines all the creative and conceptual elements of the fashion industry without the technical pattern cutting and precision needed to be a designer; it’s the styling, image creation, production, experimental content, and creative communication. You are not only exposed to graphic design components of fashion, such as the design of a fashion brand identity or creative editing and layout of Fashion photography, but also the content creation using a variety of creative hands on and digital processes. Students wanting to study this course should be creative, confident communicators and have a keen interest in Fashion image creation. 

Preparation for Fashion Styling and Production, Fashion Illustration and image production, Creative Direction for Fashion, Fashion Communication, Fashion Promotion, Fashion Branding, Fashion Photography, PR and Communication, Visual Communication for Fashion, and Visual Merchandising for Fashion.  

Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice 

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to their chosen subject as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, further specialism in Unit 2 or 3. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: 

“Still life styling” 

In the initial stages of the project, students collaborate with the Fine Art cohort to create various experimental set ups for photography. This is further developed in the pathways in a variety of different ways including Fashion collage, Fashion illustration and digital editing. Skills and processes for this are taught in both, traditional making, and contemporary design techniques.  

• Project 2: 

“Cause a problem” 

This brief focusses on issues that impact fashion markets and consumers, the ethics of fashion and relevant topics that modern fashion faces. Research development and design skills are taught through a variety of processes that students can develop to reflect their own ambitions.  Brand knowledge and ethical research builds the main part of this short project.  

• Project 3:  

“Fashion Victim” 

A live project that involves students creating a series of social media stickers or GIFs for contemporary independent brands.  

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 

Fashion Styling, Fashion Content Creation, Collage and customisation, Experimental Photography and post processing, Contemporary Fashion Image making, Portfolio Development and Experimental Techniques suitable for Higher Education Application.  

Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 3) 

Unit 3 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 4) 

This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Unit 1 of the qualification, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice.

Projects* 

• Project 1:“Strange and wonderful” 

A project based on the suspicious, ethereal and unexplained, this project is a combination of digital image creation and styling. This can be explored through photography, manual skills, clothing customisation, digital software, film and beginner level fashion moving image. 

• Project 2: “COTB” 

Clash of the brands is a brand identity project that teaches creative graphics for fashion, beginner level fashion brand creation and range planning for fictitious products. The project encompasses digital and social media skills whilst allowing students to be creative with colour and innovation.  

• Project 3: “Portfolio prep” 

Alongside the contemporary creative briefs in Units 2/3 you will have 1-1 tutorials with your Pathway leader in Fashion Communication. This is organised in the normal college day and ensures you feel confident with the content of your portfolio for university application. In those 1-1 sessions you will select and discuss edits of the work completed on the course and how to collate them for the appropriate courses.  

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends. 

Skills Learned 

Layout for print and web, Experimental styling, Creative Fashion photography, Image editing, Brand identity design, Range planning, Graphics for Fashion, layout and aesthetics, image selection and curation, market research and Fashion brand investigation.  

Unit 4 Consolidating Practice 

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its realisation within their chosen professional context. 

Skills Learned 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department. 

Course Overview 

This course is to help you create a Fashion Designer’s portfolio through a rigorous thought process: from content and research, then onto analysis and exploration through 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional design methodologies, and finally, the execution of a fashion product and presentation.  

Pattern cutting and garment construction workshops are integrated into the curriculum to support the design realisation stage of the projects. Students are introduced to skills such as basic block making and prototype production. The key is to generate creative ideas not only from visual, 2-dimensional design processes (illustrations), but also from the architectural viewpoint through limitless garment construction methods through studying the human form.  

Students are encouraged to challenge and question the purpose and idea of Fashion in the times we live in. Designing a beautiful garment is unimportant anymore. At CSVPA you will be encouraged to think outside of the box and approach Fashion Design in a creative and conceptual way. Not only are you encouraged to create unusual and exciting fashion ideas, but also to help drive our industry into the next era and beyond with responsible and sustainable solutions. Passion and curiosity in learning is what we are looking for in addition to a determined and committed work ethic. 

Preparation for Fashion Design for Menswear and/or Womenswear, Pattern Cutting, Product Design and Development for the Fashion Industry, Fashion Styling, Fashion Atelier & Tailoring etc.

Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice 

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to their chosen subject as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, further specialism in Unit 2 or 3. 

Projects*  

• Project 1: The Shape of the City 

Using the city as a source of inspiration we explore making, testing, exploring 3D structures and dynamic movement of an individual. Students are encouraged to re-think : What is Fashion? Using drawing, photography and paper sculpture, students develop designs and proposals. This is a collaborative project working together with another discipline, enabling students to cross boundaries and understand how one artform informs another.  

• Project 2: Beauty and Body Armour 

Using Project 1 ideas as a starting point, students begin to apply their ideas to fashion design and garment construction. Students are encouraged to work and think differently.  We are not confined by typical sense of beauty or, limitation of the human form. Through a series of creative pattern cutting workshops, students will be helped to create and construct brave and exciting fashion prototypes through unconventional means. 

• Project 3: 3 Ways 

Using their realisations from project 2, students explore presentation and communication skills related to fashion design. Through a series of workshops, students experiment with photography, video, collage and digital image creation, and consider 3 different contexts: magazine editorial, social media and branding. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 

Primary and secondary research, contextual research and understanding, photography, approaches to illustration including drawing and photoshop, paper sculpture, evaluation and reflection, fashion design methodologies, basic pattern cutting & sewing skills, draping for fashion, production (3-D development), presentation and communication skills, fashion portfolio skills suitable for Higher Education Application.  

Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 3) 

Unit 3 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 4) 

This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Unit 1 of the qualification, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice. 

Projects*  

• Project 1: From Past to Present  

Looking back in order to look forward!  Fashion is evidence of the time we live in. 

Students will be working in small groups to investigate examples from the past. Students will research not only Fashion Designs, but the technological, social, and cultural contexts surrounding Fashion, developing an understanding of audience and intentions. Following this, students are introduced to the project sponsor, and identify a contemporary audience, developing a personal proposal and brief for Project 2. 

• Project 2: Unconventional 

In this practical project, students work with a non-fashion material provided by our sponsor, to explore and realise a design concept. Students are encouraged to find new grounds in breaking boundaries and to approach fashion design in an innovative, personal and contextual manner. Understanding materials is important for this project, and we examine how things are made.  A series of workshops and demonstrations introduces students to garment construction using fashion trimmings and complementary fabrics.  

• Project 3: University research and application 

This Unit is delivered through both weekly personal tutor sessions and 1:1 tutorials in the Autumn term and a UCAS week in September where students visit the UCAS fair in London and are able to research different institutions and courses, speaking to University staff. Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course applying the skills learned in portfolio skills classes. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 

Primary and secondary research, problem solving, technical research and analysis, materials and fabric properties, design and development, product development, evaluation and reflection, team working and collaboration, peer critique, brand research and interpretation and prototyping. 

Unit 4 Consolidating Practice 

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its realisation within their chosen professional context. 

Skills Learned 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department. 

Course Overview 

Fine Art is based around ideas and concepts. It asks questions, evokes emotions, tells a story and promotes debate. Photography is more than just image making and documenting a story. In both areas you will develop skills of visual language, context and literacy. In the first term students will undertake several workshops that will enable experimentation with a range of techniques approaches and media before specialising further as the course progresses. Students explore darkroom and digital photography, painting, drawing, printmaking and assemblage. Foundation level focuses on experimental creativity where you will take risks, challenge conventions, and explore new perspectives on a range of themes and topics.  

Preparation for Fine Art, Art History, Photography, Fashion Photography, Digital Arts, 3D Arts; Ceramics, Sculpture and Installation, Painting, Printmaking, Curating, Visual Arts. 

Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice 

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to their chosen subject as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, further specialism in Unit 2 or 3. 

Projects* 

This Unit is designed to facilitate exploration and discovery within the specialism. Fine Art and Photography are broad terms with a wide range of potential approaches. We, as a group will become acquainted with many ways of working and experience various materials, processes and experimental techniques across the Unit.  

• Project 1: “Collective Automatic Mark Making” 

A collective ‘Banner’ completed in the introduction week will act as a common thread throughout the creative practice investigation Unit. This collective starting point will be individually developed, manipulated, and used as a reference point. Ultimately creating something new from it. 

• Project 2: “Analogue” 

In this project, students are introduced to physical and performative processes, working in the darkroom and with a range of materials and processes including assemblage, painting and printmaking. 

• Project 3: “Digital Arts” 

In this project, analogue forms of Art inspired by the collective banner are further developed into digital forms for print and projection.  

Skills Learned 

During this unit specific weeklong workshops are explored including: 

• Mixed media collage and mark making 
• Dry Point, Mono and Screen printing 
• Found object Assemblage and Sculpture 
• Clay and plaster relief and casting 
• DSLR in camera, digital post-editing and Photomontage 

• Still Life Photography and visual communication 
• Pin Hole Camera  
• Alternative Darkroom Techniques including Photogram, Chemigram and Luminogram 
• Contextual research and referencing with historical and contemporary practitioners 
• Reflective and analytical writing. 

• Effective learning journal content and presentation. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 3) 

Unit 3 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 4) 

This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have gained in Unit 1 of the qualification, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: “Journey” 

In this Unit, students have an opportunity to choose one of two different directions to focus their ongoing development within, these are open prompts defined within the brief. There is more emphasis on individual development, independent contextual research, and specialism focus.  

• Project 2: “Collections” 

Project 2 is intended as a continuation of project 1. The focus is to develop a series or collection as a coherent whole, taking into consideration modes of display and the audience.  

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned  

• Scale 
• Exploring modes of display  
• Documenting and presenting 
• Extended specialist processes including, sand box casting, welding, laser cutting, 3d printing, glass slumping, cinemagraphs, screen printing, light painting, projections 
• Portfolio compilation and content 

Unit 4 Consolidating Practice 

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its realisation within their chosen professional context. 

Skills Learned 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department. 

Course Overview 

This is an introduction to Games Art and Design, The course covers a range of skills from narrative design, world building and planning through to 3D Modelling and getting your ideas into a games engine such as Unreal Engine 5.  

Students will learn how to research, design, and create their own interactive projects, from initial idea through to playable demo. During the course we will study games from indie developers through to AAA studios.  

During your studies you will have the chance to visit exhibitions, and work on industry standard software. 

Preparation for Game Development, Concept Artists, Virtual Production, Motion Capture, Tabletop Game Design, Visual Effects for Games, Lighting Artists. 

Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice 

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to their chosen subject as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, further specialism in Unit 2 or 3. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: Creating Worlds for interactive exploration. 

During this project you will learn how to tell stories to an audience that can interact with and influence the way in which the narrative evolves. Students will learn to build a world and create branching narratives. They will explore genre and how an audience interacts with their world. 

• Project 2: The Room; Telling stories through props and environment. 

Students will create an interactive space, using the skills learned during project one, they will create a room or environment that tells a story. They will learn to create objects that a player can interact with to learn more about the world in which the designer has invited them to participate. 

Skills Learned 

InDesign, Photoshop, Maya / Blender, Unreal Engine, OBS, Substance Painter, Z-Brush, research processes, problem solving, design development, reflection and evaluation skills, peer critique, presentation skills, portfolio development suitable for higher education applications.  

Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 3) 

Unit 3 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 4) 

This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Unit 1 of the qualification, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: Sound for game Design 

In this project students will explore how sound is integral to interactive experiences, they will learn to create soundscapes that immerse and influence their audience.  

• Project 2: Lighting, Shaders and Textures, Oh My! 

This project explores the ways in which different aesthetics can be used to create and define a genre of a game. Everything from cel shaders to lighting, this project explores how we can use what we see to help sell a narrative experience. 

• Project 3: University research and application 

This Unit is delivered through both weekly personal tutor sessions and 1:1 tutorials in the Autumn term and a UCAS week in September where students visit the UCAS fair in London and are able to research different institutions and courses, speaking to University staff. Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course applying the skills learned in portfolio skills classes. 

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 

Unreal Engine, Adobe Audition, Substance Painter, Photoshop, Maya / Blender, Z-Brush, In Design, primary and secondary research, problem solving, technical research and analysis, design and development, evaluation and reflection, peer critique. 

Unit 4 Consolidating Practice 

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its realisation within their chosen professional context. 

Skills Learned 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department. 

Course Overview 

Graphic Design and Illustration underpin most of the visual creative arts industry. You are introduced to the fundamentals of graphic design, such as layouts, composition, typography, colour work, the relationships between photography and illustration and how all of the above unites to form what makes a graphic designer. All media from pen and paper to digital creative software is encouraged. Both are tools, it’s just how you use them that determines you. A sharp eye for detail and an understanding of type, image and layout are key assets to succeed in this sector of the creative arts. Professional Graphic Designers adapt from one brief to the next to designing for print, web, mobile and TV.  

Preparation for Graphic Communication Design, Publishing and Editorial Design, Illustration Animation, Graphic and Media Design, Communication Design, 3D Game Design, Media Communications, Web Design, Illustration, Children’s Book Illustration, Visual Communication 

Unit 1 Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice 

In this unit, students will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows students to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to their chosen subject as part of their journey to, or reinforcement of, further specialism in Unit 2 or 3. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: Illustration and printing experiments – ‘Hello There!’ 

Allows students to ‘loosen up’ and find outcomes through practical methods such as print, collage, painting, photography, and illustration to name some. Lino print workshop introduced. Students respond to one word, ‘language’, and develop/ create outcomes based on their interpretation. 

• Project 2: Experimental typography – ‘Word Up!’ 

Introduces students to using research to benefit and support outcomes with both artist influence and experimental typography. Artist and word chosen at random. Students respond to the artist/ designer using their style and techniques. Materials, experiments and outcomes assessed on interpretations, creativity and ideas, with developed research. Practical collage workshop introduced and technical workshops with on screen lecture and videos presented. 

• Project 3: Scale in design – ‘1st Class’ 

Identity project, portrayed with the design and creation of a set of stamps. Students use research and idea development to design a collection of stamps towards the set topic – start large, reduce and analyse when small. Allows students to develop ideas with visual impact and appreciate the use of typography and image used. Experimentation is key and the outcomes are presented in a large crit to other students – encouraging and accepting critical analysis of work.  

 *Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 

Page/Layout Design, Photography and image manipulation, scaling and reduction, Typographic understanding, Colour Theory, Drawing and Mark Making, Adobe Creative suite: Photoshop masks, layers, clone tools, cutting and selecting images, file size reduction and saving methods. InDesign page setups, grids, columns, margins, text and image manipulations and placements, spread design and PDF saving/ exporting methods. Illustrator vector work, anchor manipulation, typographic styling and manipulation,  

Unit 2 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 3) 

Unit 3 Developing Specialist Practice (Foundation Diploma Level 4) 

This unit will provide the student with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices they have developed in Unit 1 of the qualification, and to define their creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position their creative endeavour within their chosen specialist practice. 

Projects* 

• Project 1: Advertising Campaign – ‘It’s a Sell Out!’ 

Mundane items presented – students then asked to ‘sell’ them for their AMAZING qualities. What else do they offer? How can they be seen as ‘cool or essential to life?’. Logo creation, typographic experiments, poster designs, magazine spread, and then 2 additional advertising items required to support – such as Billboards, Social media gif’s, vehicle livery, packaging and or a storyboard for a 20 second TV spot. Column method, grids, typographic ordering and design with self-created illustration or type design is encouraged. Technical workshops with on screen lecture and videos presented. Good/ bad advertising methods introduced as well as rule of ethics and ASA introduction. 

• Project 2: Film Poster redesign – ‘Roll Cameras!’ 

Students select 1 film the 1980’s (from a choice of 15), that was iconic and held prominence then and still does now in popular culture. Research is essential and the exploration of the time, culture and its references must be used to assist with ideas. Students again encouraged to use experimental type but also use strong visual imagery for both a teaser trailer and main sheet poster. Project encourages research, experimentation with imagery, digital techniques, form, style, layout, ordering, focal point use and colour theories. Technical workshops with on screen lecture and videos presented. 

• Project 3: Penguin Live Brief information (when running) ‘Read Me…’ 

Bookjacket/cover redesign of 3 books. Students select 1 to recreate and use illustration, photography, image creation, manipulation of materials, collage work etc. Allows students to use these practical methods and use structed, specific guides and rules to build the design. Column method, grids, typographic ordering with self-created illustration or type design is encouraged. Technical workshops with on screen lecture and videos presented. 

• Project 4: University research and application 

This Unit is delivered through both weekly personal tutor sessions and 1:1 tutorials in the Autumn term and a UCAS week in September where students visit the UCAS fair in London and are able to research different institutions and courses, speaking to University staff. Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal statement and submit a portfolio of work from across the course applying the skills learned in portfolio skills classes.

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends 

Skills Learned 
Page/Layout Design, Photography and image manipulation, scaling and reduction, Typographic understanding, Colour Theory, Drawing and Mark Making, Template management, practical and digital cross-over manipulations. Adobe Creative suite: Photoshop masks, layers, clone tools, cutting and selecting images, file size reduction and saving methods. InDesign page setups, grids, columns, margins, text and image manipulations and placements, spread design and PDF saving/ exporting methods. 

Unit 4 Consolidating Practice 

This unit aims to provide students with an opportunity to take control of their own learning and demonstrate their achievement by independently initiating, researching, completing and evaluating a project proposal and its realisation within their chosen professional context. 

Skills Learned 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department. 

COURSE OVERVIEW 

This course will equip you with innovative and experimental approaches to 3D Design and help you build up a creative portfolio to apply to relevant Higher Education courses. You will learn to do object prototyping and design development work. This course is supported by a comprehensive range of workshop facilities for hand and machine making in card, ceramics, glass, plastic, metal and wood, in addition to digital manufacturing equipment including laser cutting and 3D Printing. You will also be exposed to different elements of design such as critical thinking, collaborating with other disciplines, visual and verbal presentation techniques, colour theory, technical drawing and material properties. You need to be passionate, interested in problem solving, and prepared to work hard to excel in the course as well as in the industry. 

Preparation for 3D Design, Product Design, Craft, Jewellery Design, Accessories Design, Sustainable Product Design, Furniture Design, Design Crafts, Applied Craft, Industrial Design and Automotive Design.  

UNIT 10 CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTEXTS IN ART AND DESIGN 

This unit is designed to further develop students’ understanding of the particular characteristics of a range of art and design activities and the contexts within which those activities exist and operate. The unit provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their own strengths and capabilities in relationship to a range of art and design activities and their defined, or emerging, ambitions and longer-term goals, either within employment or higher education. 

PROJECTS 

Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned, and emerging new trends 

•  Project 1: That’s Absurd! 

In this fun introduction to design, students examine both Fine Art and Design based examples that question the relationship of form and function. Using Photocollage students create their own absurd ideas, before encountering a process of drawing from 2D and orthographic through to scaled and isometric drawing to effectively communicate their ideas. 

•  Project 2: 2D to 3D: Flat Pack 

This project enables students to investigate and research object(s) that employ the use of flat 2-Dimensional materials to create 3 Dimensional forms. Using 2D sketching and 3D paper/card exploration aids the development of designs. These are then further developed using scaled drawings and models. A series of introductory workshops using fibre board, wood and plastics with the laser cutter enables students to realise their ideas. 

• Project 3: Encase 

Students are given a specific brief from a client to create a handmade object that encases and protects a particular item of significance such as an ancient book, an item of jewellery or a lock of hair. Students use ‘boxes’ as a starting point for experimentation, expanding on this through a series of practical workshops that explore material properties and capabilities: 

Metal: Cutting, hammering, texturing, raising, piercing, soldering, polishing finishing. 

Ceramic: Coil and slab construction, hand modelling, glazing, gold lustre. 

Glass: Fusing, slumping. 

Other: Resin, silicone casting, laser cutting. 

SKILLS LEARNED 

3D Design research processes, problem solving, a variety of hands-on workshops suitable for 3D pathway including experimental techniques, form versus function, understand and use visual language, design development, prototyping, reflection and evaluation skills, peer critique, presentation skills, portfolio development and suitable for higher education applications.  

UNIT 11 PREPARATION FOR PROGRESSION IN ART AND DESIGN 

This unit is designed to develop students’ understanding of the range of educational and career routes within art and design and the related application processes and systems. The Students are encouraged to develop a range of effective presentation and communication skills appropriate to an identified progression route within art and design. 

PROJECTS 

Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned, and emerging new trends 

• Project 1: Portfolio skills  

This Unit is run across the Autumn term and seeks to develop a critical understanding of portfolio content appropriate to students chosen specialism in addition to the specific digital skills required to build a professional portfolio for university application. 

• Project 2: University research and application 

This Unit is delivered through both weekly personal tutor sessions and 1:1 tutorials in the Autumn term and a UCAS week in September where students visit the UCAS fair in London and are able to research different institutions and courses, speaking to University staff. 

Skills Learned 

Portfolio skills, Adobe creative suite; specifically InDesign and Photoshop, researching for university choices, personal statement writing, portfolio presentation and interview technique. 

UNIT 12 ENGAGING WITH AN AUDIENCE IN ART AND DESIGN 

This unit is designed to provide the student with an extended opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the audience for their chosen area of art and design activity and their abilities to provide creative responses to complex creative problems. Students undertake a range of challenging assignments that stimulates creativity whilst encourages students to consider their audience and recognise that solving complex creative problems requires considerable investment in appropriate research, planning, preparation, ideas development and the final delivery of a solution within an agreed time‑frame. 

PROJECTS 

Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging new trends.  

• Project 1: Reinventing the wheel  

This project aims to challenge students understanding and perceptions of everyday items and how they can be redesigned. Using creative and conceptual strategies, students will investigate a product and explore radically changing its design or function for a particular audience. This could be changing the intended age group or ability of the target market audience.   

• Project 2: The next best thing!  

In this project students investigate future trends and predictions in the design world, opening up the professional world of design and trend forecasting to students. Students develop and combine ambitious, innovative ideas that result in practical outcomes to fit a fictitious futures exhibition and event.  

Unit 12 projects are supported by visits to The Design Museum, Science Museum and or V&A in London. 

SKILLS LEARNED 

Market and client research, customer profiling, contextual and technical research, understand and apply design principles, 3D drawing and realisation using digital and analogue methods, practical construction skills in a variety of chosen materials, presentation and communication skills. 

UNIT 13 PROJECT PROPOSAL AND REALISATION IN ART AND DESIGN 

This unit aims to provide candidates with an opportunity to take control of their own learning by independently initiating, researching, implementing, and evaluating a project proposal and realisation within a chosen professional context. The degree of self-direction that students will be required to display is in recognition of the educational model prevalent within Higher Education. The unit requires students to produce a written project proposal of about 500 words that should include the following: A review of progress and achievement to date, Project concept and Evaluation 

SKILLS LEARNED 

By this stage in the course, it is expected that students will have acquired the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake their devised project, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and facilitated where possible. Students may take advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department.