FdA Design and Materials

Bristol Zoo Gardens Conservation and Education Centre
remains open to students.

You will have private access to the zoo grounds during lectures, to carry out your observations and data collection, but as more animals are moved, this will gradually be carried out at the Wild Place Project. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Course Description

The FDA Design and Materials offers you the chance to engage with contemporary practices as designers and makers. During the first year you will experiment in a range of different media and explore processes of making with a focus on ceramics, jewellery and enamelling, and textiles. You will also build skills in drawing, print and digital fabrication to support your design and ideas development. In your second year you will study more independently in your chosen contextual and practical area and begin to build your own professional network through relevant work experience. The programme is built around studio practice and full-time students have dedicated studio space. Delivery takes place in form of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and workshops. Scheduled visits to galleries and exhibitions, a varied programme of Visiting Lecturers and the opportunity to exhibit at the Bristol School of Art degree show will make this an unforgettable experience. Progression from this course is onto our BA (Hons) Fine Art and Contemporary Art Practice L6 top-up programme, a one-year course to complete the full BA (Hons) degree.

‍Bristol School of Art

At the heart of Bristol School of Art lies a dynamic team striving to support and develop your creative thinking. This unique environment has been a centre for art education for 160 years. Located in the beautiful Royal West of England Academy building, it is located within minutes from art galleries and museums in Bristol’s city centre, such as RWA, Bristol City Museum and Gallery, the Arnolfini and Spike Island. A particular feature valued by our alumni is the small group sizes, which help forge an atmosphere where everyone is valued for who they are. The school has an ethos for interdisciplinary approaches to idea development that fosters both individual and collaborative outcomes. Our HE programmes are awarded by the University of Gloucestershire.

2023 Degree Show

"The Bristol School of Art campus is beautiful"

"The Bristol School of Art campus is such a beautiful building and space, which is definitely part of the experience. There are such a wide range of facilities and work spaces such as industrial sewing machines, jewellery and enamelling studio, ceramics space and a print-making room. Having all of these facilities and equipment at your fingertips means that what you can achieve is so much greater as you have so many options!"

Shona

FdA Design and Materials

Study Modules

AA4002

Introductory Workshops

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The module will consist of a series of workshops and short projects that introduce you to core designing and making skills across a range of media. The aim is to give you a good basic technical introduction to the materials-based areas available. Projects will enable you to make individual pieces of work, but the emphasis will be on exploration and experimentation. Materials explored might include clay, textiles, wood, small-scale metalwork and enamel on metal. You will present a series of test-pieces and experimental practical work for assessment. Workshops will include ceramics, enamelling, wood-working, textiles, small-scale metalworking, 2D skills including print and surface design processes, and additional 3D skills such as mould-making and plaster casting. You will be expected to keep ongoing notes (in a journal, blog, or other negotiated format) that reflect on the processes used and progress made, which is submitted for assessment alongside the body of practical work. It is intended that the experience provided by this module, in conjunction with other level 4 modules, will provide a foundation for identifying future directions of specialist practice.

Portfolio : 80 % (4,000 words equivalent)

Assignment: 20 % (1000 words equivalent)

AA4003

Developing Practice

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This module aims to equip you with an outline of the design process. From a selection of set briefs you will choose two, and respond according to your developing area(s) of specialist interest. Projects might include: repurposing or remaking an existing artefact; packaging or transporting a delicate object. These projects will run sequentially. The emphasis is on planning and decision-making alongside extending relevant skills. You will be required to draft ideas, select materials and processes, make models/prototypes and sample pieces. You must also keep ongoing notes (in a journal, blog, or other negotiated format) that reflect on the processes used and progress made. From these reflective notes, you will write an evaluative statement, to submit for assessment with the reflective notes.

Portfolio : 80 % (4,000 words equivalent)

Assignment: 20 % (1000 words equivalent)

SH4001

Creative Thinking and Visual Communication

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The emphasis of this module will be on creative thinking and visual communication; developing strategies and skills for the processing of creative ideas and concepts and realisation of relevant outcomes in a range of media. Through experimentation, risk taking, and play with materials and process, you will be encouraged to identify and establish an understanding of approaches that relate to your main subject specialism and developing personal identity.Workshops will include, but not be limited to, screen printing, relief printing, laser cutting, basic dark room techniques, cyanotypes digital camera skills, basic Photoshop, Indesign and Illustrator, using Print and 3D workshops, an introduction to moving image, presentation skills, creative social media and website presence and using a sketchbook and journal both digital and analogue. Drawing workshops will also be delivered to encourage exploration of the variety of ways in which it can underpin the design process.

Portfolio: 80 % (4,000 words or equivalent)

Assignment: 20 % (1000 words or equivalent)

SH4004

Professional Studies

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This module provides an opportunity for you to begin to engage with the wider creative industries and the potential professional contexts for your developing practices. This module will support you in developing the vocational and transferable skills essential for effective professional practice in any of the creative design industries. You will have the opportunity to review, comment and debate, and evaluate and present issues relevant to your own developing practice and your evolving ambitions. You will investigate relevant creative industries, visit exhibitions, shows and events, and critically evaluate your findings. The module will also help you to identify potential opportunities for your work placement.

Assignment: 70% (1750 word equivalent )

Presentation: 30% (5 minutes - 750 words, or equivalent)

SH4005

Exploring Contextual Environments

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The first part of this module will introduce you to the broader design and creative contextual environments through a series of seminar lectures and discussions that consider historic, social, economic and cultural influences on the contemporary practitioner. Pre-Modern, Modern and Postmodern contexts for design and creative practice will be examined, and theoretical positions discussed and explored. You will be introduced to significant developments in art and design history, contextualising practitioners from around the world and from different time periods working with similar themes e.g. Power, Scale, Identity.

Assignment: 70% (1750 word equivalent )

Presentation: 30% (5 minutes - 750 words, or equivalent)

SH5005

Contextualising Practice

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This module offers you the opportunity to develop your understanding and knowledge of the wider issues and debates that surround the creation and consumption of art and design artefacts. Through a variety of shared lectures and seminar activities, you will investigate the historical, theoretical and creative contexts in which your practice is located and learn new ways of analysing and relating to visual imagery. The module emphasises the need for students to further develop strategies for effective research, academic writing and referencing. You will be expected to reflect on contemporary culture and communication, explore theoretical frameworks, and develop your skills of visual and critical analysis.

Presentation: 30% (10 minutes, plus 5 minutes discussion/ question & answer - 1,800 words, or equivalent)

Assignment 70% (4,200 words or equivalent)

SH5004

Self-promotion and Professional Context

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This work-related module provides an opportunity for students to build upon work-based knowledge and experience. You will begin to consider and prepare for your own exit strategy. You will be introduced to considerations for self-promotion through the production of a personal identity and digital portfolio (website). You will also produce promotional material relevant to your specialist practice (blog, website, professional social media presence, photo-sharing sites, flyers, etc.) and research and secure an appropriate platform to show your major project work being prepared in your major specialist practice module to your chosen audience.

Portfolio: 100 % (3,000 words or equivalent)

SH5003

Work Experience

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This module will give students an insight into the professional responsibilities and practical expectations required of practitioners in the creative industries. Building upon investigation of workplaces and through seminar discussion, students should identify an appropriate context for a work placement / placements, undertake their placement / placements and then critically reflect on their experience and any changes to their future goals. This module will initially introduce students to a range of industrial/professional issues for employment in the creative industries through a series of seminar lectures and lectures by visiting professionals, building on knowledge already gained. Topics will include: professional and environmental ethics, legislation and opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. Students will also consider opportunities for educational progression. They will undertake a body of research into their chosen profession in order to prepare for future progression.

Assignment: 75% (2,250 words or equivalent)

Assignment: 25% (750 words or equivalent)

AA5001

Design Projects

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You will select one from a number of prepared live briefs and develop it according to your chosen specialist area(s). The briefs are assigned to a live client, but designed to be flexible and to allow you the freedom to explore and develop in your own directions. You may wish to combine aspects of more than one area e.g. combining metal and ceramic or textile with print. The emphasis is on the design methodology and process whilst allowing plenty of opportunity to develop individual knowledge of materials and processes. By the end of the module you will have produced a body of 2 and 3 dimensional work, as well as the potential for digital practice, demonstrating your ability to take an idea and develop it to a successful conclusion.

75 % Portfolio: 75% (4,500 words, or equivalent)

25 % Assignment: 25% (1,500 words, or equivalent)

AA5002

Negotiated Project

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The module aims to provide you with the opportunity to explore your own design ideas and choices of materials and processes. You will devise and present an exhibition in consultation with tutors in your chosen specialist area(s). You will write a detailed brief, based on your developing specialism, providing a clear plan taking into account materials, processes and research needs and time management. By the end of the module you will have produced a series of preparatory works (such as Marquette's, models, drawings) and finished pieces of work rooted in your own personal interests. The work will need to be of a sufficiently complete form to be formally presented to a client/the public.

75 % Display, Show or Performance: 75% (4,500 words, or equivalent)

25 % Assignment: 25% (1,500 words, or equivalent)

There are no modules at this level.

Course Video

Jessica Thorn

Lecturer in Ceramics

*Programme subject to validation by the University of Gloucestershire

APPLICATIONS FOR SEPT 2023 ENTRY ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS COURSE.

Applications for September 2024 entry open on September 5th 2023.

APPLY ON UCAS_(FULL-TIME)APPLY ONLINE_(FULL-TIME)APPLY ONLINE_{(PART-TIME ONLY)}

Campus:

Queens Road Campus

Level:

Foundation Degree

Full-time Duration:

2 Years

Full-time Fee (Per Year):

£8,500

Part-time Duration:

4 Years

Part-time Fee (Per Year):

£4,250

UCAS Application Code:

W2W2

UCAS Entry Tariff:

Entry Requirements

The minimum UCAS tariff entry points from a level 3 qualification, GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4. Please submit a portfolio to be reviewed by Programme Lead. Once your portfolio has been reviewed, you may be invited for an interview. Mature students over 24 without the relevant qualifications will be required to demonstrate previous experience and evidence of academic ability.

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