Art, Design and Digital Media

At St Vincent we value creativity and encourage our students to explore and create whilst they learn.

Our Art, Design and Digital Media courses offer students a range of learning experiences that enable you to develop your creative skills and embrace your talent whilst offering you the opportunity to gain the qualifications to progress to University or employment.

Students learn in state of the art facilities in which students can be inspired to create and learn under the expert teaching of highly accomplished and experienced industry professionals.

The St Vincent campus also offers students a unique and naturally beautiful coastal campus from which students can seek inspiration to enhance your artistic and creative projects. With dedicated work space and classrooms with the latest digital technologies and learning resources our Art, Design and Digital Media courses can support all aspiring artists, designers, film makers, photographers and any other creative pathway to achieve your career ambitions.

FILM AND DIGITAL ARTS

LEVEL 3

Students will learn how to approach theories and imagery in an critical and analytical way; to write fluently about film and media subject matter; to discuss and share ideas confidently and to present your findings in a visual and professional way using digital technology. You will also learn how to produce short films.

If you are interested in the creative possibilities of film and moving image, this course is for you! You will develop your practical and theoretical knowledge and use industry standard software to create your own original films.

Course duration: Two years.

Entry requirements:

Five GCSEs at grade 9-4. Ideally some experience of creative subjects.

What students will learn:

The knowledge and understanding of how moving images relate to the time and place in which they were made and to their social and cultural context, underpins this course.

How students will learn:

Through practical assignments (film making), written essays and formal (coursework 60%) (controlled assessment 40%).

Assessment:

Course work, task assessment, 15 hours controlled assessment at the end of the second year.

Student profile:

Students who are inquisitive and asks questions about the world they live in. Have a keen interest in theory and practical aspect of media and film.

Possible combinations:

Photography, Graphics, IT, Sociology, Business.

Potential university courses:

• Film/Creative • Advertising and Marketing

Potential career paths:

• Film and TV production • Advertising and Marketing • Publishing • Museums, galleries and libraries

FINE ART LEVEL 3

This course focuses on building strong artistic skills within drawing, painting and printmaking. Experimentation is encouraged through practical lessons and gallery visits. Sketchbooks are used to record ideas and other artists’ work.

This course is ideal for students with a strong interest in drawing and painting and with a desire to progress into a creative arts career or higher education pathway.

Course duration:

Two years

Entry requirements:

Five GCSEs at grade 9-4. Must include grade 4 or above in GCSE Art.

Assessment:

Course work with externally set portfolio and 15 hour practical exam.

Possible combinations:

Preferably combined with another creative A-Level course.

Potential university courses:

Illustration, Fine Art, Sculpture, Painting, Printmaking.

Potential career paths:

Gallery Worker, Illustrator, Animator, Freelance Artist.

GRAPHICS

LEVEL 3

Do you want to communicate in a visual and creative way? This course will make you confident with a variety of graphic design techniques and processes.

Experimentation is encouraged through practical lessons and gallery visits. Sketchbooks are used to record ideas and other artists work.

This course is perfect for students that are highly creative and passionate about visually expressing and communicating a variety of themes.

Course duration:

Two years.

Entry requirements:

5 GCSEs at grade 9-4. Must include grade 4 in Art or a creative subject.

How students will learn:

A combination of practical and digital workshops, artist analysis and theory based creative learning.

Assessment:

Course work and externally set project portfolio with 15hr exam.

Possible combinations:

Well combined with Photography, Fine Art or Film A-Level courses.

Potential university courses:

Graphics, Illustration, Web Design, Animation, Advertising and Marketing.

Potential career paths:

Graphic Designer, Illustrator, Web Designer, Animator, Marketer.

LEVEL 2 - GCSE

This course will encourage you to explore different forms and processes and communicate using a variety of traditional and modern techniques to produce creative graphical outcomes. By the end of the course you will be able to explore, understand and apply visual language and terminology to a variety of tasks.

Students will learn through a combination of practical workshops, digital recording and exploration of artists.

Course duration:

One year.

Entry requirements:

Five GCSEs at Grade 2 or above If you have not yet gained Grade 4 or above in English and/or Maths, this will form part of your timetable.

Possible combinations:

Would work well with GCSE Photography or other Level 2 courses.

Progression routes:

Level 3 creative courses including Graphic Design A-Level.

PHOTOGRAPHY

LEVEL 3

Do you want to communicate in a visual and creative way? This course will make you confident with film and digital photography.

Experimentation is encouraged through practical lessons and gallery visits. Digital sketchbooks are used to record ideas and artists’ work. Previous knowledge of photography is not essential, nor is owning your own camera, just a passion for making your own images!

The photography department provides most of the equipment necessary. We don’t expect all students to have their own digital camera, but you might decide to invest in one if you become serious about the subject as it will aid your ability to make more work independently. You will however need a storage device such as an SD card.

Course duration:

Two years.

Entry requirements:

Five GCSEs at Grades 4 – 9. A Creative Portfolio for the interview.

Possible combinations:

A-Level Art and Design – Art and/or Graphics. Film and Digital Arts.

Progression routes:

For creative students, to foundation and a range of Visual Arts degree courses at art colleges. Other Higher Education courses if studying a mixed study programme.

LEVEL 2

Photography has a profound impact on the way we live our lives. This course will encourage you to explore different forms and processes.

You will learn how to visually communicate using a variety of traditional and modern techniques and produce creative photography outcomes.

You will learn about composition, the technicalities of using a camera well, darkroom processes and how to use lighting in the photographic studio.

By the end of the course you will be able to explore, understand and apply visual language and terminology to a variety of tasks and most importantly take better photographs.

Course duration:

One year

Entry requirements:

Five GCSEs at Grade 2 or above. If you have not yet gained Grade 4 or above in English and/ or Maths, this will form part of your programme.

Possible combinations:

GCSE Graphics and other level 2 courses.

Progression routes:

A-Level Photography, A-level Graphics and Film and A-level Digital Arts.