UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE
CONTENTS Introduction Application Process at CCAD Entry Requirements Your Portfolio Project Work Written Work Digital Work Presentation Sketchbooks Your Interview Interview Questions Programme-Specific Advice
3 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 SCHOOL OF DESIGN 7 BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design 7 BA (Hons) Contemporary Textile Products 8 BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design 8 BA (Hons) Fashion 8 BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen 8 SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS 9 BA (Hons) Creative Film & Moving Image Production 9 BA (Hons) Fine Art 9 BA (Hons) Graphic Design & Communication 9 BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application 10 BA (Hons) Photography 10 Useful Checklist 11 Finally 11 Open Days 11 Useful Contacts 11
INTRODUCTION At Cleveland College of Art & Design, we pride ourselves at giving every individual* the chance to demonstrate their potential to us. That’s why we give every applicant the opportunity for a one-toone interview with a member of our specialist staff. Our experts are interested in both you AND your work, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your portfolio in a separate room to be reviewed first. By visiting the Campus, you have the opportunity to tour our extensive facilities and get a feel for what makes us unique. We hope you find this guide useful. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Thanks, Admissions Team Cleveland College of Art & Design * Applicants must meet basic entry criteria. See hartlepool.ccad.ac.uk/apply for more details.
3
APPLICATION PROCESS ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AT CCAD Your potential is our main focus It is important to us that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about where to study. At each stage of the application process we endeavour to provide you with the most relevant and up-to-date information to help with your decision-making: 1. Enquiry Stage: Research our institution via the website, prospectus and open day 2. A pplication Stage: Complete UCAS application form (preferably before 15th January deadline) 3. I nterview Stage: Attend interview and tour facilities 4. Outcome/Offer Stage: Receive notification of our decision 5. Reply to Offer Stage: I f successful, you have the opportunity to FIRM or INSURE with us 6. P re-Enrolment Stage: W e keep in touch with you at key points throughout the year 7. E nrolment Stage: Find out about Freshers’ events and Welcome Week 4
when assessing your suitability for the programme you have applied to. Because of this, we take into account all aspects of your application and not just your academic profile. If you are a mature applicant (i.e. 21+ years), we will place more emphasis on your portfolio and the skills and experience you can demonstrate at interview. Your portfolio, which you bring to interview, is an integral part of the assessment. It should demonstrate your current skills, interests and knowledge where appropriate. Further details are given throughout this guide. It is also expected that you will bring evidence of written work to interview and/or have a Level 2 qualification in English/ Literacy.
YOUR PORTFOLIO Your portfolio should be a visual representation of your creative interests and identity. Therefore, no two portfolios will ever be the same. Essentially, any portfolio should include some evidence of the following: 1. D evelopment of ideas and creative thinking i.e. drawing, note-taking, photography 2. A range of appropriate skills and techniques you have previously developed 3. Your approach to the creative process i.e. research, ideas, concept, final outcome 4. Ability to experiment and take risks 5. Evidence of written work Additionally, including work completed outside of your usual studies is a good way to show independence and selfmotivation. If your work is too heavy or too awkward to bring to interview, you can always bring photographs instead.
PROJECT WORK
DIGITAL WORK
We like to see how you have responded to your project briefs from your initial research and how you have developed your ideas to the conclusion or final outcome. The subject does not matter and it can be either as part of your programme or an independent project as long as it demonstrates creativity, a deep involvement in your work and your conclusion or final idea.
You may decide to use digital work as a way to:
WRITTEN WORK
Digital work can include:
Even though our degrees are mainly practice-based, you will have written tasks to complete over your chosen programme. You will need to make lecture notes and write essays; with a dissertation in the final year. Written work for interview could be:
• Enhance your physical portfolio or; • Use as an alternative to a physical portfolio You may wish to bring in a tablet or have work saved on a compatible disc or USB stick.
• Photographs • Digital drawings • Evidence of software skills • Scans from your sketchbook • Show reels • Links to your blog • Research notes
• An extract taken from an essay previously completed during your studies • A reflective piece or self-evaluation from one of your projects • A report, journal, blog or script We would expect your work to be wordprocessed and between 500-1000 words in length. 5
PRESENTATION
SKETCHBOOKS
Portfolios can be presented in a variety of ways. However, you should consider the following:
Sketchbooks are a great way to demonstrate your creative process, and we strongly encourage you to bring them along with you. Quite often, sketchbooks can offer a different dimension to your portfolio and there may be some element of ‘magic’ within them that may be missing from your main portfolio i.e. areas of significant research or creative thinking.
Organise work logically If you organise your work into a logical order that demonstrates your thinking processes, it will allow for a better flow of discussion during interview. Does it represent you? Let your portfolio reflect your own individual style. Include personal projects and give it a sense of originality. Sometimes including unusual elements can be intriguing and create interesting conversation. Remember! Be practical - it’s likely that you will be attending other interviews and you may have to carry your portfolio for a long distance. Thinking about the weight of your portfolio may encourage you to think ‘quality not quantity’. It’s usually better to have a few really interesting things to talk about than lots of the same.
6
YOUR INTERVIEW Your interview with us is intended to be relaxed and informal. It is a time to focus our attention on you and your future! Previous applicants have commented on how valued they feel by the length of time we dedicate to your interview. This can be anywhere between 30-60 minutes. I nterviews are an opportunity for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm, commitment and self-motivation for the programme. I t is also the chance for you to interview us! Ask us anything you want to know to help make your decision easier.
Taking a tour As this may be the first time you see us in person, we also give you the chance to see what makes CCAD a unique place to study. By taking a tour, we hope you are able to experience our creative, supportive, and friendly environment.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS One of the main things we want to know is why you have chosen to apply for the programme. It is good practice to do a bit of background research on the programme by reading the prospectus or attending an open day so we can make sure you are on the right track. Generally, all of our programme teams will be impressed if you can show how you develop your cultural awareness. In other words, what you do to feed your cultural appetite? This may include: • Visits to galleries and museums • Gigs/festivals attended • Reading books, newspapers or magazines • Music you have listened to • Conversations you have had about art & design • Researching other artists and designers
PROGRAMME-SPECIFIC ADVICE
SCHOOL OF DESIGN BA (HONS) COSTUME INTERPRETATION WITH DESIGN What we like to see Generally sketchbooks, drawings, project work and evidence of your sewing skills; this can be garments, bags, embroidery etc., which you have either made for college projects or for personal use. If you have a lot of these, which are often difficult to carry, then just bring a small selection of your most successful pieces and bring photographs of the rest.
Sketchbooks Your research will show us what excites you and what has inspired you during your projects and course. This needs to be evident in your sketchbooks and should include visual references to other artists and designers. You should include references to contemporary and historical practices and show your interest in costume in its widest context.
Drawing Any drawings from life drawing, experimenting with different Media, to design sketches and illustrations.
• What inspired you to choose the costume industry? • We will also want to know who or what inspires you in the field of art and design, and particularly in costume, film, theatre, dance and from a historical and contemporary perspective
7
BA (HONS) CONTEMPORARY TEXTILE PRODUCTS BA (HONS) TEXTILES & SURFACE DESIGN What we like to see There is no set ‘requirement’ for a portfolio, but it is useful to see some evidence of your drawing/image making (whether that is traditional drawing or photography or print making), and some evidence of research into the work of other practitioners. You should also be able to talk about your research. The ability to generate ideas is really important, and you don’t necessarily have to include any ‘textiles’, as long as it is clear that this is where your interests lie. If you want to include evidence of ‘technical/design based skills’, this could be experimental samples, design sheets, or finished products. Drawing • O bservational drawing of natural and/or man-made subject matter • E xperimental drawing/image making using a range of media and techniques
8
Sketchbooks Ideally some sketchbook work showing the journey through a project. • Who or what influences your work? • Who is your favourite artist/ designer/maker? BA (HONS) FASHION What we like to see We would like to see at least one sketchbook, which shows a project from start to finish ie. theme, research (primary and secondary), including references to contemporary designers/artists and how this has been used to inspire design detail for fashion solutions. Also include the final outcome of the project. Drawing Evidence of mark making and exploratory methods of applying media, development of drawing skills in a wide context such as animals, figure drawing, flora and fauna etc. (if appropriate) and knowledge of illustrators, artists and photographers. • Who would be your muse and why? • Who do you find inspirational within the fashion (and creative) industries and why? • Which fashion publications inspire and inform you?
BA (HONS) PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR STAGE & SCREEN What we like to see A well presented and organised portfolio of work demonstrating your best work and a level of progression and development through your recent study. Also having the confidence and enthusiasm to talk about your work and portfolio. Drawing Technical drawing and perspective drawing would be beneficial but not essential. A wide range of media is an advantage which would demonstrate that an exploration of drawing is taking place. Sketchbooks Ideally these should include research and clearly show how this research relates to the project work undertaken. • W hat TV shows, theatre productions and films are you excited about? • What have you been to see recently? • D o you have any practical experience such as back stage work or working on festivals or events?
PROGRAMME-SPECIFIC ADVICE
SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS BA (HONS) CREATIVE FILM & MOVING IMAGE PRODUCTION What we like to see We like to see evidence of some of your own moving image, either in college, or under your own initiative, e.g. a Youtube or Vimeo. Show that you think about film and moving image and/or write about it. You may want to show us some script ideas which you are developing too.
BA (HONS) FINE ART
Please include work such as:
We would like to see work that demonstrates your suitability to study a multi-discipline Fine Art degree. Therefore this can include; paintings, drawings, photographs, multimedia, 3D work. We would also like to see your passion for particular examples of contemporary fine art and historical practice.
• • • • • • • •
Photographs Photographs are a good alternative to bring if you are unable to show us your own moving image as this enables us to see how you see through the lens and how you frame and select shots.
Sketchbooks Showing observational drawing (landscape, life drawing, still-life)
Written work May include film/programme reviews, scripts.
What we like to see Examples of finished graphic design work presented to a good standard (presentation skills are especially important for graphics). Work in progress including developmental drawing, design thinking, alternative ideas, solutions and proposals. The portfolio should indicate an interest in images and type/lettering.
• Do you have, or are you seeking, any industry experience? • When have you worked well in a team? • Do you have any technical skills already? • Can you demonstrate initiative, creative thinking, problem solving?
BA (HONS) GRAPHIC DESIGN & COMMUNICATION
Photography Drawing Illustration Painting 3D work (can be photographed) Short stories and/or poetry Web design and blogging Other on-line presence (design and visual arts related) e.g. Instagram, DeviantArt, Flickr, Behance etc.
Digital Work You can also include film/animation/ interactive work. If so please make sure that you provide correctly formatted files and that the work can be played/showed on Mac computers. Alternatively bring your own laptop or tablet. • H ave you had any work experience or volunteered for anything? • Where do you see yourself in three years’ time?
9
BA (HONS) ILLUSTRATION FOR COMMERCIAL APPLICATION What we like to see Drawing with a variety of tools and using a variety of mark making techniques. Experimentation with media that shows you are open to trying new ways of working that aren’t always successful but can lead to positive outcomes. Show how you generate ideas & research How do you look to other artists, illustrators and genres and relate that back to your own practice? Drawing This can include: pencil, ink, charcoal, pen – any tool or medium, from any subject. Sketchbooks Lots of them on any subject. • W hat do you know about illustration already? • W hat are your favourite books/magazines? • W ho are your favourite illustrators/artists? • W hat did you enjoy reading when you were younger?
10
BA (HONS) PHOTOGRAPHY What we like to see • Clearly laid out portfolio, which is easy to look through • Evidence of visual imagery/ photographs that you have created yourself • Considered quality not quantity and avoiding repetition • Organised into sections • Notebooks / contact sheets that indicate developmental processes (experimentation) • Simple presentation – clean. If mounted black or white board is preferable. Photographs Series of photographs that indicate Interpretation / technical ability - use of light / composition / print quality / narrative / interaction with the subject / a visual story / associated research and how this feeds into the project – relevance / individuality / ideas / experimentation / evidence of an ability to take a creative risk and experiment.
Sketchbooks Evidence of understanding photographic technique/exposure/composition/lenses – different focal lengths/work flow/influence of other photographers/artists/filmmakers Digital work If bringing a digital portfolio, we advise a maximum of 20 images prepared and ready to view on a tablet/laptop.
USEFUL CHECKLIST Here is a handy checklist to help you before you come to see us: • Select work you can talk confidently about • Consider labelling your work with brief, contextual information • Demonstrate your thought processes • Remember quality not quantity in your portfolio • Have a practice run-through with family or friends • Consider bringing work completed outside of your studies, eg. involvement in shows, exhibitions, competitions, work experience etc. • Remember to include evidence of your writing skills FINALLY Be honest. Be yourself. Relax.
OPEN DAYS CCAD offers you plenty of opportunities to build a successful career in the creative industries. During your time with us, you will be encouraged to work hard and have lots of fun too.
USEFUL CONTACTS
All visitors will be invited to take part in a structured programme involving:
CCAD Student Support 01429 858 410 studentsupport@ccad.ac.uk • Accommodation • Student Finance & Funding • Disability Support
• Programme-specific talks • Chat to staff across a broad range of academic and support areas • Speak to current students • Take a Campus tour • Learn about accommodation, student support, student finance and bursaries
CCAD Admissions Team 01429 858 458 interviews@ccad.ac.uk • General Application Advice & Guidance
To find out when our next open days are, please visit: hartlepool.ccad.ac.uk/open-events/
11
12