Courses

Art, Craft & Design

Course Description

Art, Craft and Design covers all areas of art and design; students will explore 3D, painting, drawing, print, photography, illustration, digital design, textiles and craft. The course will stretch your artistic capabilities in the first year, where you will explore a wide range of techniques, processes, materials and media. In the second year you will specialise in one (or more) of the art, craft or design areas, creating a portfolio of work that explores your chosen pathway in detail.

Entry Requirements

Students studying three A Levels will be expected to have a minimum of two GCSEs at grade 6 and three GCSEs at grade 5/4, including English Language and Mathematics at grade 5/4 or above. Or eight GCSEs at a minimum of grade 5.

Features of the Course

A variety of subjects will be considered here: landscape, still life, detail and texture in nature and architecture, and drawing from life. Subjects can be realistic or have a more contemporary, abstract and expressive approach. Other ideas could be concept-driven, with subtle or explosive colour, capturing the essence of the theme. Pattern, shape and texture can also be an interesting starting point and can be used to create a change in style that could inform a new art-work. This course will provide a foundation for those interested in fashion design, fine art, applied art and those wanting to explore a wide range of traditional and contemporary media and materials for drawing, sketching and painting as well as collage and mixed media. Inspiration is taken from a wide range of primary sources and all project work begins with your own drawings and photographs. You will use both creative drawing and photography methods to record, enhance and focus your ideas. You will work in sketchbooks documenting your creative making and use these to record and present all your artist research, gallery visits and practical workshop tasks.

Five hours per week will be set as independent study work, which will also be documented in your sketchbooks and form the basis of your studio work.

Assessment

Component one: Personal Investigation (60% of final grade) throughout the first year and into December of the second year.
Component two: Externally set assignment (40% of final grade) from February to May of the second year.

Both components are internally assessed and externally moderated. You will also present a portfolio and an exhibition of your work covering both components which is internally assessed and externally moderated.

Exam Board: Eduqas

Enrichment and Work Experience

There is an expectation that students will complete a one-week work placement in the Summer term. Throughout the academic year there will be several day trips to galleries, artist studios and city visits to gather and practise your observation recording techniques. Some will be enriching, but for those that are compulsory, travel costs will be met by The Sixth Form. Throughout the year, the department offers a range of enrichment activities including: hand and machine stitch workshops, 3D workshops, paper-making and mixed media art, craft and design workshops

Additional Information

To support your studies, you will be required to purchase relevant materials as outlined below:

Kits available through Cass Arts, link details will be provided at the start of term. Students can edit the basket to add/delete items you may already have or would like to purchase in addition to the media and materials recommended by the course tutor. The approximate cost will be around £12.

Links With Other Subjects

This course links well with Graphic Design, Fine Art, Photography, Media, and Film Studies.

Future Career Opportunities

Many students go on to study art and design at pre-degree foundation level or a BA degree. Possible career pathways include: fine artist, illustrator, photographer, textile designer, surface pattern designer, teaching, fashion design and stylist, interior designer, costume designer, gallery curator, sculptor and animation.

Why study at The Sixth Form Bolton?

The vast majority of our students go on to study textile design, surface pattern design, fashion design, printed textiles, 3D, photography, illustration and fine art at a range of prestigious universities with whom The Sixth Form has excellent links.