YOUR CANVAS
YOUR UNDERGRADUATE APPLICATION GUIDE 2018-19
Introduction At Cleveland College of Art & Design, we pride ourselves at providing every individual* the chance to demonstrate their potential to us. That’s why we give every applicant the opportunity for a one-to-one 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. CONTACT 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. Information is also available online at: hartlepool.ccad.ac.uk/apply
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Contents Key Info 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7
Application Process at CCAD Entry Requirements Your Portfolio Project Work Written Work Digital Work Presentation Sketchbooks Your Interview Interview Questions Programme-Specific Advice Programmes:
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BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design BA (Hons) Contemporary Textile Products BA (Hons) Body Contour Fashion BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Production FdA Lighting & Camera for Stage & Screen FdA sound for Stage & Screen FdA Post Production for Stage & Screen BA (Hons) Fine Art BA (Hons) Graphic Design BA (Hons) Digital Design & Advertising BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application BA (Hons) Commercial Photography BA (Hons) Photographic Practice (With Moving Image)
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Useful Checklist Finally Open Days
Next Steps
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APPLICATION PROCESS AT CCAD It is important to us that you have all the information you need at every stage of the application process: 1.
Enquiry Stage: Research our institution via the website, prospectus and open day.
2.
Application Stage: Complete UCAS application form (preferably before 15th January)
3.
Interview Stage: Attend interview and tour our facilities
4.
Outcome/Offer Stage: Receive notification of our decision
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Reply to Offer Stage: If successful, you have the opportunity to FIRM or INSURE with us
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Pre-Enrolment Stage: We will keep in touch with you at key points throughout the year and invite you to join our special social media groups to start building relationships with staff and other prospective students.
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Enrolment Stage: Find out about Freshers’ events and Welcome Week
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Your potential is our main focus 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
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Your Undergraduate Application Guide 2018-19
YOUR PORTFOLIO
PROJECT WORK
DIGITAL WORK
Your portfolio should be a visual representation of your creative interests and identity. Therefore, no two portfolios will ever be the same.
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 away to:
Essentially, any portfolio should include some evidence of the following: 1. Development 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 evaluation Additionally, including work completed outside of your usual studies is a good way to show independence and self-motivation. If your work is too heavy or too awkward to bring to interview, you can always bring photographs instead.
WRITTEN WORK Even though our degrees are mainly practicebased, you will have written tasks to over 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 a work saved on a compact disc or USB stick. Digital work can include: • • • • • • •
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 of self-evaluation from one of your projects • A report, journal, blog or script • All should be word processed 500-1000 words
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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.
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Your Undergraduate Application Guide 2018-19
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. Interviews are an opportunity for you to demonstrate your enthusiasm, commitment and self-motivation for the programme. It is also the chance for you to interview us! Ask us anything you want to know to help make your decision easier. If you require any support or special arrangements during your interview please let us know beforehand so that we can have everything in place for you before you arrive. If you would like to discuss any support needs contact Student Services who will be happy to help.
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. We also like to know what activities you do to feed your cultural appetite? This may include: • Who or what inspires your work? • What TV shows, theatre productions/films are you excited about? • What books, magazines, newspapers do you read? • Have you volunteered for anything? • What gigs/festivals do you attend? • What galleries and museums have you been to? • What artists and designers have you researched? • When have you worked well in a team?
PROGRAMME SPECIFIC ADVICE
Programmes: 8
BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design
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BA (Hons) Contemporary Textile Products
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BA (Hons) Body Contour Fashion
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BA (Hons) Production Design for Stage & Screen
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BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Production
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FdA Lighting & Camera for Stage & Screen
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FdA sound for Stage & Screen
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FdA Post Production for Stage & Screen
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BA (Hons) Fine Art
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BA (Hons) Graphic Design
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BA (Hons) Digital Design & Advertising
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BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application
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BA (Hons) Commercial Photography
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BA (Hons) Photographic Practice (With Moving Image)
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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. Drawing Any drawings from life drawing, experimenting with different media, to design sketches and illustrations. 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.
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 • Observational drawing of natural and/or man-made subject matter • Experimental drawing/image making using a range of media and techniques Sketchbooks Ideally some sketchbook work showing the journey through a project.
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Your Undergraduate Application Guide 2018-19
BA (HONS) BODY CONTOUR FASHION What we like to see Your portfolio doesn’t necessarily need to contain evidence of fashion, but it is important to be able to discuss your work confidently. Work should demonstrate an understanding of the creative process through the use of drawing, application of media and an understanding of the work of others. Drawing Evidence of observational drawing, and rendering using different media. Sketchbooks We would ideally like to see the journey you have taken from the initial concept of a project through to a final outcome. Also show evidence of observational drawing and rendering using different media.
BA (HONS) PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR STAGE & SCREEN BA (HONS) VISUAL EFFECTS & MODEL MAKING 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 also 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. Questions we may ask • What TV shows, theatre productions and films are you excited about? • What have you been to see recently? • Do you have any practical experience such as back stage work or working on festivals or events?
BA (HONS) FILM, TV & THEATRE PRODUCTION FDA LIGHTING & CAMERA FOR STAGE & SCREEN FDA SOUND FOR STAGE & SCREEN FDA POST-PRODUCTION FOR STAGE & SCREEN What we like to see Evidence of some of your own moving image or recorded media be it Visual, Sound, or Edited material either in college, or under your own initiative, e.g. a Youtube or Vimeo Short Films or a theatre production you may have been involved with. Show that you think about film and theatre and/or write about it. You may want to show us some script ideas, which you are developing too. We want Vimeo short films.
BA (HONS) FINE ART What we like to see 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. Sketchbooks • Showing observational drawing (landscape, life drawing, still-life)
Photography We are aware that it is not always easy to demonstrate theatre involvement but photographs are a good alternative to bring if you are unable to show us your own moving image or theatre productions you may have been involved with as this enables us to see how you see through the lens and how you frame and select shots. Written work May include film/programme reviews, scripts.
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BA (HONS) GRAPHIC DESIGN BA (HONS) DIGITAL DESIGN & ADVERTISING What we like to see Examples of finished design work presented to a good standard. Work-in-progress including developmental drawing, design thinking, alternative ideas, solutions and proposals. The portfolio should indicate an interest in images and type/lettering. Please include work such as: • 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.
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Your Undergraduate Application Guide 2018-19
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. BA (HONS) COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY BA (HONS) PHOTOGRAPHIC PRACTICE (WITH MOVING IMAGE) 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 - experimental • Simple presentation – 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 your level of understanding photographic technique; this includes an ability to use a camera = exposure/composition/lenses – different focal lengths + work flow. Written work will include the influence and reference to 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. The work should be considered and organized, displaying the ability that you have decided to choose key images before placing them in the appropriate order to be viewed during the interview. Be selective with your images that you can talk confidently about. FINALLY Be honest. Be yourself. Relax
USEFUL CHECKLIST
OPEN DAYS
USEFUL CONTACTS
Here is a handy checklist to help you before you come to see us:
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.
CCAD Admissions Team 01429 858 462 interviews@ccad.ac.uk • General Application Advice & Guidance
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 Contact us beforehand if you have any support needs
All visitors will be invited to take part in a structured programme involving: • 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 Student Services 01429 858 462 studentsupport@ccad.ac.uk • Accommodation • Student Finance & Funding • Disability Support
Please visit our website to book: hartlepool.ccad.ac.uk/open-events/ OPEN DAYS 2018: Saturday 24th March Saturday 9th June Thursday 5th July
10:00 — 15:00 10:00 — 14:00 10:00 — 14:30
THE NORTHERN SCHOOL OF ART
SINCE 1874
We are the Northern School of Art. We are not only the leading provider of specialist creative art & design degrees in the north but one of the best across the UK. It’s the place for people serious about a creative career, where 96.7% of graduates get work or enter postgraduate study when they leave. Cleveland College of Art & Design Hartlepool.ccad.ac.uk Instagram: weareccad Facebook.com/weareccad Twitter.com/weareccad studentrecruitment@ccad.ac.uk
THE NORTHERN SCHOOL OF ART
SINCE 1874