Art and Design Level 3

This course is designed to prepare you for the world of work in the creative sector. The UK has one of the most diverse and vibrant creative landscapes, employing around 3.12 million people and generating around £101.5 billion each year. Employment in the UK creative industries is growing at 4 times the rate of the UK workforce.

Our Level 3 Art and Design course provides you with a firm grounding in the creative process whilst allowing to choose one of these exciting specialist areas to focus upon:

Fashion Design and Communication

Are you an aspiring designer? Or perhaps want to start your own fashion label? Or do you have a desire to set the next big trend?

Wherever your interests lie, our course offers an exciting introduction into the dynamic world of fashion. From concept to production, you’ll learn the skills needed to create high-quality products that will then be effectively communicated through various visual media.

You will be taught the fundamentals of fashion design; from garment construction, pattern cutting, sewing and textiles with a focus on sustainability.

You will develop skills in styling and image-making, visual graphics, fashion drawing and photography to promote you and your creative vision. As well as this, you will study the historical influences and theoretical concepts in fashion to help inform your practical skills, project research and critical reflection.

In your first year you will create a range of fashion products including accessories, style photoshoots and plan an end of year catwalk show. These projects will allow you to develop a range of technical and academic skills to prepare you for your final major project.

In your second year, you will build upon this and move more towards your chosen specialism. Your tutors and Learning Facilitator will guide you through with expert advice and support.

On completion of this course, you will have produced a strong portfolio of work that you can then share with potential employers or to gain further studies at University. Career pathways include:

• Fashion and textiles designer
• Stylist
• Merchandiser
• Trend forecaster and buyer.

Fine Art

“The artist sees what others only catch a glimpse of” - Leonardo Davinci

Do you have a passion for art, are curious to explore, and aspire to new challenges? Then this specialist course could be for you.

You'll work with an encouraging and supportive creative team to find your own unique style before specialising in your own preferred pathway; 2D Drawing, Painting, Graphics, Illustration, Printmaking 3D (Sculpture).

We work closely with industry professionals in order to provide an opportunity to build a valuable network right from the start. Competitions, collaborative working and live projects give you the confidence and skills to progress into employment or university.

You will learn through experimentation and exploration by engaging in practical and theory sessions, work on live briefs with industry specialists, discover the work of other artists and designers, find opportunities for career and progression routes and visit galleries and places of cultural and educational interest.

In year 1 you will build skills and confidence in the creative process exploring a range of practical skills using a range of materials and techniques - drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphics and illustration.

We give regular feedback, designed to help you be the best you can building to your final major project, a body of work that shows your strengths and personal interests, based around the areas in which you excel and reflecting your research, contextual design, presentation and, of course, your practical skills.

In year 2 you'll advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the extended final major project, showcasing how far you have come. Assessed on your professional portfolio of work, you will be ready to progress to university or the other exciting next steps in your creative career.

On completion of this course, you will have produced a strong and broad portfolio of work that you can then share with potential employers or to gain further studies at University.

Our students have progressed in the following creative careers:

• Tattooist
• Graphic Designer
• Fine artist
• Interior Designer
• Illustrator
• Architect
• Art Therapist
• Community/Freelance artist
• Curator.

Digital Arts

If you have boundless imagination and the desire to explore industry standard digital tools, to invent and create exciting visuals, then this course is ideal for you.

Digital Arts offers opportunities to manipulate pixels as well as traditional media to design characters, props and environments for your comics, games and film ideas. Putting you in good stead to develop a career in the burgeoning digital sector in the North East - one of the fastest growing industries in the country.

Working with experts in the field in our state of the art digital lab, you will hone your craft to be able to design, model, animate, light and render. You will have access to Adobe Design suite subscription for college and personal use throughout your time with us.

Entertainment Design at Gateshead College offers three pathways:

• Illustration - develop skills in digital painting for concept art and editorial illustrations.
• Sequential Art - focuses on developing skills in Book illustration, comics and storyboards.
• Animation - develop skills in 2D/3D animation, storyboarding, modeling, lighting and rendering for 2D/3D.