The Art and Design course enables you to study a wide range of Art and Design activities before specialising in the second year in one of the key areas of Fine Art, Graphics, Illustration, Photography, Fashion, Textiles and 3D Design. Through drawing projects and experimental workshops, you will experience a variety of new Art and Design techniques. This will allow you to broaden your own visual experience so that you can make an informed choice of specialist area in your second year. You will extend your Art and Design skills by working in printmaking workshops, photography studios, Apple Mac suites and 3D workshops. Throughout the programme, there are educational visits to galleries, workshops, museums, exhibitions and places of specific interest to extend your awareness of the wide range of contemporary creative activity. Art and Design history is an integral part of the qualification and supports your work in the studios and workshops. Research and contextual studies will increase your awareness and understanding of how artists and designers work, this will inform your creative thinking and practical work. You will have the opportunity to take part in live projects with local industry. At the end of the course you will work on a Personal Project in a specialist area, which will be exhibited in the Creative Show for parents, practitioners and VIPs. You will leave the course with a visually stimulating portfolio to aid progression on to higher education, employment or training.