This one-year course is designed for students aged 19+, providing an opportunity to explore a broad range of art and design disciplines while developing practical and creative skills.
You will experiment with diverse materials, techniques, processes, and approaches, enabling them to build a strong and varied portfolio of work.
Specialist pathways include:
- Fashion
- 3D Design (Interior Design and Architecture)
- Photography
- General Art and Design
The course supports creative exploration, portfolio development and progression towards higher-level (University level) study or careers within the creative industries. It's designed to cater for mature learners and timetabled to support family schedules.
On this course, you will learn how to develop ideas through research, experimentation and visual exploration and how to communicate your concepts effectively using drawing, mixed media, digital tools and presentation techniques. You will gain practical experience in 3D design processes such as model making and prototyping, alongside photography skills including studio work, lighting, image capture and editing.
In fashion, you will explore garment design, pattern cutting, textiles and fashion illustration, while also developing an understanding of how ideas are translated into finished products. Across all disciplines, you will build digital skills using industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite to support design development and portfolio presentation.
You will also study artists, designers, photographers and fashion practitioners to inform your own work and develop critical understanding of contemporary creative practice. Alongside this, you will learn professional skills such as responding to briefs, time management, problem-solving and presenting your work in a professional portfolio.
By the end of the course, you will have developed a confident creative practice, stronger technical skills and a portfolio of work that demonstrates your abilities and supports progression into employment, freelance work or higher-level study.
Units
- Use investigation to inform creative practice
- Explore concepts and practices through iterative experimentation
- Use evaluation and review to inform creative practice
- Develop techniques for realising intentions
- Communicate ideas and intentions through creative practice and outcomes
- Demonstrate engagement with self-directed practice
You will be assessed through written coursework and practical assessments.
You will need to have GCSE Maths, English Language and two additional subjects at grade 4 (C) or above.
As part of the application process you will also be asked to explain why you want to study this course, so that we can ensure any course offer made aligns to your career goals.
Or you will have gained a Merit or above in an appropriate Level 2 qualification. You will also need to provide a portfolio of work, as well as a reference.
On successful completion of this course, the confidence and skillset you'd have built during the course's duration sets you up for entering the creative industry or progressing onto the creative degree programme at Barking & Dagenham College, further study at Higher Education or progression onto employment, internship or apprenticeship.
