Foundation Degree (FdA) Art and Design

Course description

The Foundation Degree Art and Design (FdA) is a vocational two-year Higher Education course which offers learners the opportunity to explore a broad range of Art and Design principles and practice through a diverse range of learning experiences including specialist workshops, seminars, tutorials and study trips.

In the second year learners focus on a specialist area from within Graphic Communication, Applied Arts or Fine Art. Learners develop associated skills in their chosen specialist area, building a portfolio of work. The course is run with our partner Bangor University and successful learners graduate with an FdA awarded by Bangor University.

A key feature of the course is the focus on Creative Futures, entrepreneurship and industry placement. This seeks to reinforce theory and practical work within the wider context of creative industries. Industry links are an important part of the course with learners working on live briefs delivered by specialists in a bilingual, creative and supportive environment.

Unit information

Art and Design encompasses a massive range of specialisms ranging from ceramics to web design, for example.

On this course you will study a range of Art and Design applications which will give you practical skills within the broad areas of Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Applied Design and Fine Art. Working with specialist staff within subject areas, students develop a portfolio of work suitable for progression within education or industry.

Year 1 (Level 4)

For every 10 credits, students should engage with around 100 notional hours of learning. This will be approximately 30% direct learning contact 70% independent student learning.

Contextualising Art and Design 1 (20 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to introduce learners to the historical and cultural nature of Art and Design through a lecture programme encompassing Fine Art, Visual Communication and Applied Arts. Linking theory, practice and. contextual thinking is encouraged through a focus on significant issues and objects in Modern Art and Design. (Reflective Journal 15%, Reflexive Blog 15%, Presentation 30%, Essay 40%)

Visual Language (20 credits, compulsory)

In this module, students explore approaches to observational drawing materials, processes and techniques in Art and Design. (Reflexive Blog 10%, Project 10%, Sketchbook 10%, Portfolio 70%)

Applied Arts (20 credits, compulsory)

This module has been designed to start from a quite basic level in order to help learners starting without any significant applied arts experience. For example, working with, ceramics, glass and textiles studios. (Presentation 30%, Final piece(s) 70%)

Graphic Design and Illustration (20 credits, compulsory):

This module introduces learners to key elements within Graphic Design and Illustration. Including introduction to graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Students will develop skills in the main industry-standard software. (Sketchbook 10%, Final piece(s) 60%, Written task 20%, Evaluation 10%)

Major Project (20 credits, compulsory): In this module, students consolidate experiences gained so far and identify a specialist area of interest on which to focus, in either Fine Art, Applied Arts or Graphic Design. (Reflexive blog 10%, Sketchbook 30%, Final piece(s) 40%, Written proposal 20%)

The Video (10 credits, compulsory)

This module aims to introduce students to time based media and video production. Students will be introduced to core skills within video of layout, navigation and process within video editing software, video capture, editing and effects. (Reflexive Blog 30%, Video 70%)

Professional Practice 1 (10 credits, compulsory):

In this module learners will present both a traditional mounted portfolio and a digital portfolio as a means of organising, archiving and presenting their work. (Portfolio 50%, Mounted portfolio 50%)

Level 5 modules (Year 2)

Contextualising Art and Design 2 (20 credits, compulsory):

This module aims to develop and extend learners understanding of key movements in Art and Design and its impact on contemporary culture and practice. The lecture programme will explore Modernism, Postmodernism and contemporary themes within Fine Art, Visual Communication and Applied Arts. (Reflective Journal 15%, Reflexive Blog 15%, Presentation 30%, Essay 40%)

Specialist Practice (20 credits, compulsory):

In this module, students identify an area for potential development and practical research in subject areas such as Applied Arts, Graphic Design or Fine Art, producing a body of work within that specialism. (Reflexive Blog 10%, Sketchbook 40%, Portfolio 50%)

Professional Practice 2 (20 credits, compulsory):

This module will explore the range of possibilities for developing the traditional and digital portfolio as a means of organising, archiving and presenting learners’ work to a specific audience. (Portfolio 50%, Mounted Portfolio 50%)

Creative Industry (20 credits, compulsory):

In this module, students will respond to a live brief or competition pertinent to their specialism. The aim of this module is to create an awareness of career opportunities within the arts sector and to provide students with an introduction to the artist/designers’ professional life. (Sketchbook 70%, Journal 30%)

The Exhibition (40 credits, Core):

This module aims to increase the self-directed nature of students work within a subject specialism. Students site their work within a subject specialist area from within Applied Arts, Design Communication or Fine Art, and develop a body of work exhibited to professional standards. The aim is to realise personal creative intentions within a specialist area, to consolidate specialist skills and showcase these within an exhibition context confidently and with ambition. (Reflexive Blog 10%, Sketchbook 10%, Written Proposal 10%, Final exhibition 70%)