Covers both observational skills and the expression of the imagination. It opens the eyes to the so called ‘real world’ and channels ideas and experiences into colours, lines and shapes.

Core concepts to all art and design areas, such as colour theory, composition and drawing approaches are introduced. Representational skills such as proportion and perspective are taught and the development of each student’s original style is nurtured.

Gouache and acrylics are normally used although watercolours and oils can be accommodated.

Focuses on responding to and representing the nude human figure in its many forms.

Fast drawing of short poses encourages a response which makes students live the experience, so overcoming shyness and fear of personal expression. Longer poses allow a study of the whole figure as well as sections focusing on detail.

Class exercises may include life sized drawings, collage, tonal studies, contour breakdown, plane intersection and colour in the development of a plastic visual sense.

Combines the creation of three dimensional forms in response to a given theme with an exploration of the properties of materials. These include plaster, wax, clay and wire as well as found materials. Some construction and casting techniques are also covered as well as more experimental processes.

The safe use of a variety of tools, both common and specialist is demonstrated prior to hands on experience. There is a strong emphasis on the relationship between materials, processes and the development of ideas. The course encourages students to develop a practical understanding of how to make objects exist in 3D space.

Techniques developed through the need to generate multiple images. The College uses a professional etching press and encourages experimentation with a wide range of techniques including engraving, monoprinting, silkscreen, wood and linocutting and even photocopying. Some of these may be combined within the same image allowing unique effects to be created.

Both the working through of a process and the handling of raw materials give rise to new ideas which have their effects in the finished expression of a subject. These individual images diversify the students work and the experience feeds into other areas of art and design.

Spans last century to the present day through a series of slide lectures and class discussions as well as visits to relevant exhibitions and permanent collections.

Students’ critical review faculties and analytical abilities improve through absorbing visual and verbal messages alongside interacting with others. Visual skills arising through the body of art historical facts and theories feed into the students’ practical work and locate it within a broader framework.

Develops strong image making skills that enable students to visualise design ideas for presentation to others who may be clients, garment makers or buyers.

Practice in figure and fabric drawing using paint, pens, inks, pencils and papers accustom students to bodily proportions and the natural hang of fabrics. Research, observational and analytical drawing, the development of sketchbooks and design roughs lead to the presentation of creative fashion ideas. Mood, theme and story boards are produced and a wide variety of illustration techniques are used. Most projects will finish with a design for a garment or garments and a range of illustrations.

Is a development from Fashion Drawing but may also be taken in conjunction with Sculpture and/or Model Making by those interested in exploring 3D design.

Fashion Design ideas are generated on a given theme through research, design development and samples. Finished designs for garment and accessories will then be produced in 3D using a variety of experimental materials and methods.

The course will also include some basic pattern cutting and sewing instruction.

Explores the tactile and visual elements of materials creating surface pattern and texture on flat artwork, textural fabrications and 3D forms for application in interior design, fashion and as installations.

Taking the qualities of colour, texture, surface and form students dissect and analyse these elements, disregarding preconceptions and expressing new ideas through unrestricted exploration.

A variety of techniques including weave, knit, tie-dye and batik are taught using pastels, wax, bleach sponges and stencils amongst other media.

Teaches the skills of hard line measured drawing combined with lighting, rendering, material, finishes and furniture as well as the presentation of mood and sample boards.

The course covers how to survey, scale and draw both plans and elevations as well as simple axonometric drawings. Projects range from compact living spaces to cutting edge urban environments. Drawing may be by hand or using Vector Works.

The emphasis is on the students’ ability to create original interior/architectural spaces based on creative and analytical investigations/research.

Is for those interested in producing three dimensional models to scale, normally by using foamboard, cardboard and glue although other materials may be used and models may also be produced on the computer.

The course is normally taken as an extension of Spatial Design but may also be useful to those interested in the broader world of 3D design.

Is suitable for students interested in comics, political and street art, cartooning, children’s books, magazine illustration and any other area where artwork communicates ideas or stories to an audience.

The emphasis of the projects is on a free and innovative approach to realistic briefs using a diverse range of media and music, poems, animation and the like as stimuli. An illustration catches a mood and instantly conveys a message about the subject or product.

Students are trained to get inside a brief, opening up key themes and thinking laterally to reach this end.

Focuses on developing visual concepts through the creative use of words and imagery for the commercial environment.

The course includes magazine, CD and packaging design as well as advertisements, logotype and corporate branding. The studio is equipped with state of the art Apple Macs including the key software of Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and InDesign as well as desk and wall space for traditional media.

Exploring typographic design and graphic image making, projects range from the commercial world to experimental work documenting personal experience. Combining digital and traditional the process of working through a brief to finished artwork trains the student to convey their intentions with impact.

Uses the latest versions of Dreamweaver and Flash to train students to utilise their creative skills to produce a fully functioning website and design interactive media.

Dreamweaver is the leading website tool and Flash provides the opportunity to create effective animations and interactivity. Students learn the principles behind animation, story-boarding and how to assemble audio and graphics elements to produce self-running, computer controlled, sequences.

Projects will lead to an understanding of the relationships between objects, movement and colour in simulating two and three dimensional space.

Is both a technical and creative course, instructing students on the efficient use of Adobe CS3 Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign on state of the art Apple Mac computers.

It is suitable both for beginners and those who want to extend their knowledge and skills. Photoshop is for manipulating and combining images, Illustrator is used to create logos and illustrations while in InDesign layouts can be planned for 2D/3D. Authentic design briefs give an edge to the learning.

The skills acquired in this course allow for a wide range of applications across art, graphic design and photography.

Practically demonstrate techniques, equipment and materials. They also include visits to galleries and museums to look at photographs and photographic debates.

The course covers black and white tonal control, printing materials, studio lighting, shooting techniques for still life and portraiture, types of film, colour control using different light sources and creative darkroom processes like toning, bleaching and hand tinting.

A workbook is constructed by each student for personal reference. Workshops provide the skills and experience necessary to make connections between the use of techniques and visual meaning which, in turn, makes for a much improved photographic portfolio.

Is designed to familiarise students with a wide variety of photographers from traditional masters to the latest cutting-edge artists.

Visits to museums and galleries and slide presentations form a base for lively discussions about the work of other photographers with an emphasis on the relevance to the students’ own photography. An investigation of the professional aspects of photographic practice provides insights into the realities of working as a free-lance photographer and helps students to prepare for their career or higher education progression after college.

The knowledge and understanding gained exploring other photographers’ work can provide inspiration for students’ own projects and helps to put their photography into a contemporary professional context.

Students are given instruction in camera functions, processing film, darkroom skills, printing techniques and presentation.

They work on practical projects interpreting a set theme according to their own ideas, taking photographs outside the College and using the College’s printroom and darkroom during class time. The results are analysed both creatively and technically with the teacher until the student is in control of every step of the process from the original idea in the mind to the finished product in front of the eyes. There is a fully equipped darkroom with eight black and white enlargers and a studio with professional lighting kit.

The College supplies the chemicals and the students supply their own camera, film and paper.

Is for students who would like to learn how to produce high quality digital images and how to manipulate them for maximum effect using Photoshop.

Students learn how to operate a professional digital camera on location and in the studio. Using professional photo editing software the images are then enhanced both technically and aesthetically. This includes colour management and workflow, preparing the images effectively for exhibition quality printing and the preparation of photos for presentation on the web.

Projects are designed to develop students’ practical and creative skills whilst compiling a body of research to help inspire and inform their own work.

Moves through the sequence of pre-production, production and post-production which means hands-on experience of planning, shooting and editing.

Students learn to use DV cameras with ancillary equipment and digital editing utilising Final Cut Pro. Crews are formed for each project so that students gain experience in storyboarding, location research, scripting, camera operations, direction and editing. They will consider story telling conventions such as narration and sound/image interplay so as to make decisions on telling their own stories.

The course also covers writing proposals, budgeting and scheduling. Projects may include a music video, a commercial, a documentary, a drama or an experimental piece.