Art and Design

This is an exciting short course for students who need an exciting, layered and individual portfolio for progression to Level 6 courses in visual art or graphic design areas.

Build your portfolio from a series of experimental projects exploring personal themes and client briefs.

You'll benefit from tutors with an expansive range of specialisms whose critique and support will help expand your work technically and conceptually.

What's more, you will be working in specialist studios and workshops that are equipped to reflect the professional practices of artists and designers, and to enable you to build a varied and diverse body of project work that reflects you as an innovative creative individual.

We are looking for engaged, motivated individuals who are open minded and excited to explore a wide range of techniques and processes. You must be able to deliver creative art and design work and to apply a creative process to consider and develop your ideas and concepts in sketchbooks.

You may be experienced through

• Successful completion of Intro to Art & Design course at Ayrshire College
• Successful completion of a similar introductory college course
• Art courses at school, e.g. Nat 4 or Nat 5 Art and Design
• Art clubs and groups

and must be prepared to advance the level and volume of your work in pursuit of progression to a Level 6 course in Visual Art or Graphic Design and Illustration.

You need good organisational and time management skills in order to meet the demands of this programme of study and construct the portfolio you need for your chosen progression route.

Applicants will be invited to an interview where they will be expected to show their suitability for this course by

• Showing a portfolio of your artwork
• Being prepared to discuss your work and ideas

Other factors that could support your application can include

• Existing qualifications, e.g. NQ units from college, Nat 4 or Nat 5 Art
• Alternative experience, e.g. membership of a community art group
• A strong personal statement

Further guidance on the interview process and portfolio requirements will be provided following submission of your application.

This course will help you develop your creative skills in fine art and graphic design.
By the end of the year, you’ll have created a portfolio for progression to a higher level of study which will be bursting with items you’ve produced or designed.

Working in 2D, 3D and digital media you’ll develop work for your folio, while gathering ideas and experimentation in personal sketchbooks.

In 2D portfolio projects, you will experience
• Drawing, painting, mixed media and printmaking
• Graphic design and illustration

3D components can explore
• Ceramics and sculpture

Digital media encompasses…
• Software skills in professional programmes, e.g. Photoshop

Throughout the programme, projects will be underpinned by exciting and relevant workshops in presentation skills, allowing you to select and present your portfolio for progression to your next step

Students who make the most of this course and construct an expansive portfolio have the opportunity to progress to:

• Advanced Portfolio Production: Visual Art courses
• Graphic Design and Illustration
• Similar Level 6 college courses

or you may decide to take what you've learned and explore your future career options including: Self-Employed Artist, Practising Artist, Community Arts, Youth Arts Worker, Art Therapist, Teacher.