Art & Design Post A-Level Foundation - Level 3/4 (UAL Diploma)
Course aims
This contemporary, innovative and challenging course allows you to explore a wide range of disciplines including fine art, photography, film, animation and sound, graphic art and design, illustration, fashion, textiles and 3D crafts, before discovering your strengths and focusing on your preferred areas. All the staff are practising artists and designers who will encourage you to experiment and improve your techniques and skills through workshops, seminars and trips.
Entry requirements
You can join this course if you have at least 1 A-Level at grade C or above in a creative subject and 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and maths.
Course content
Exploratory stage:
- Materials, methods and media
- Broad range of disciplines
- Individual, group and collaborative work
- Historical and contextual lectures
- Study skills
Pathway stage and final project:
- Focus on areas of interest
- Techniques and skills
- Group and individual tutorials
- Portfolio building
- Final major project
- Exhibition
Why this course at the MET?
Northbrook MET has a fantastic track record of progression to prestigious universities.
You will have the opportunity to work on real live projects commissioned by internal and external clients and be nominated for the competitive and highly regarded annual UAL Origins Exhibition.
The MET's vibrant Visual Arts department has a broad range of staff who are all practising artists and designers involved in the region's buzzing art and design scene. Our staff are here help you realise your potential.
Our experienced teaching staff are passionate about their areas of expertise and are committed to helping you to attain your learning goals and meet your personal aims.
You will work in artists’ studios with access to our 3D workshop, darkroom, printmaking studio, Mac suites and pattern cutting room.
Without a doubt, one of the reasons we know you will love studying at Northbrook MET is the renowned creative facilities and atmosphere at our West Durrington Campus. The campus is a dedicated arts space, with the art & design courses running alongside theatre arts and music courses. You will collaborate with like-minded, passionate students and benefit from the various creative projects that take place, such as theatre shows, music gigs and art exhibitions. The campus is regularly used by professional creatives, which further highlights the quality of our industry-standard facilities.
Further study and future careers
You can progress to university level, either at the MET or at universities throughout the UK.
Our West Durrington Campus is also our University Centre, a creative arts space with students studying at degree level in art & design disciplines as well as theatre arts and music.
Artistic Degrees at Northbrook MET include Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, Digital Design, Fashion, Textile Design or Theatre/Set Design.
Careers
Archivist or curator
Typical Tasks:
- Examines, appraises and advises on the acquisition of exhibits, historic records, government papers and other material.
- Classifies material and arranges for its safe keeping and preservation.
- Maintains indexes, bibliographies and descriptive details of archive material and arranges for reproductions of items where necessary.
- Examines objects to identify any damage and carries out necessary restoration whilst preserving original characteristics.
- Makes sure that storage and display conditions protect objects from deterioration and damage.
- Allows access to original material or material not on display for researchers.
- Develops and promotes ideas for exhibitions and displays.
- Negotiates loans of material for specialist displays.
- Liaises with school and other groups or individuals, publicises exhibits and arranges special displays for general, specialised or educational interest.
- Answers verbal or written enquiries and gives advice on exhibits or other material.
Industry Insights
ENTRY £14,567
AVERAGE £23,946
POTENTIAL £37,889
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
Artist
Typical Tasks:
- Conceives and develops ideas and ways of working for artistic composition.
- Selects appropriate materials, medium and method.
- Prepares sketches, scale drawings or colour schemes.
- Builds up composition into finished work by carving, sculpting, etching, painting, engraving, drawing, etc.
- Approaches managers of galleries and exhibitions in order to get finished work displayed.
- Uses artistic skills to restore damaged artworks.
- Liaises with writers and publishers to produce book illustrations.
- Markets and sells finished work directly to customers.
- Produces works on commission basis for clients.
Industry Insights
ENTRY £17,706
AVERAGE £26,735
POTENTIAL £48,282
- Active Learning
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
- Science
Graphic designer
Typical Tasks:
- Liaises with client to clarify aims of project brief, discusses media, software and technology to be used, establishes timetable for project and defines budgetary constraints.
- Undertakes research into project, considers previous related projects and compares costs of using different processes.
- Prepares sketches, scale drawings, models, colour schemes and other mock-ups to show clients and discusses any required alterations.
- Prepares specification and instructions for realisation of the project.
- Liaises with other parts of the production team to ensure graphic design fits with other elements, processes and timescales.
- Produces or oversees creation of the final product.
Industry Insights
ENTRY £18,077
AVERAGE £24,648
POTENTIAL £39,039
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
Product, clothing or related designer
Typical Tasks:
- Liaises with client to determine the purpose, cost, technical specification and potential uses/users of product.
- Undertakes research to determine market trends, production requirements, availability of resources and formulates design concepts.
- Prepares sketches, designs, patterns or prototypes for textiles, clothing, footwear, jewellery, fashion accessories, set props, wigs, ceramics, plastics, motor vehicles, domestic appliances and engineering products.
- Prepares sketches, designs, mock-ups and storyboards for consideration by theatre/film director or client.
- Submits design to management, sales department or client for approval, communicates design rationale and makes any necessary alterations.
- Specifies materials, production method and finish for aesthetic or functional effect, and oversees production of sample and/or finished product.
- Observes and manages intellectual property issues.
Industry Insights
ENTRY £17,004
AVERAGE £23,790
POTENTIAL £38,415
- Active Learning
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Science
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