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Art and Design – Level 1

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A photo of a flower painting
Courses Code
QF1AD
Study method
Full Time
Location(s)
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  • Is this course for you?

    Do you want to begin your journey towards a career in the creative industries? Do you want to develop and extend your skills and knowledge of a broad range of art and design skills and specialist areas? Then this course is for you!

    The UAL Awarding Body Level 1 Award and Diploma in Art & Design has been developed to provide students with an interest in art and design with the opportunity to explore the materials, methods and processes that support art and design activities, and to begin to develop some related technical skills.

    This initial experience of art and design activity is intended to provide you with an early test of commitment and interest in the subject. It also provides an opportunity for you to explore and develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required for progression within art and design education.

    The qualification structure will provide a sound base of skills and knowledge, will enhance self-confidence, and impart an understanding of the career demands and opportunities within art and design.

  • Required qualifications

    There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification.

  • What skills will I develop?

    Stage 1 (Level 1 Award in Art and Design)

    • Unit 1: Introduction to materials, processes and technical skills in art & design
    • Unit 2: Introduction to contextual research in art & design.

    On successful completion of this stage, you will be awarded the Level 2 Award before progressing onto the Diploma

    • Stage 2 (Level 1 Diploma in Art and Design)
    • Unit 3: Introduction to drawing skills
    • Unit 4: Introduction to communication skills in art and design
    • Unit 5: Solving 2D creative problems
    • Unit 6: Solving 3D creative problems
    • Unit 7: Solving time-based creative problems

    Stage 3 (Level 1 Diploma in Art and Design)

    • Unit 8: Developing and producing a personal project in art and design

    Drawing is a vital skill to have as an artist or designer, and there are opportunities to develop this skill throughout the whole course.

    You will also develop confidence in being able to communicate your ideas and thoughts effectively in a visual way, creating work in 2D (painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media), 3D (ceramics, model making, sculpture), and time-based (photography, animation, film-making and editing).

    The course is designed to provide you with as broad a range of experiences as possible to enable you to discover where your interests and talents lie within the visual arts.

    You will also be encouraged to think about your intended career path within the creative industries and identify the steps you need to take to achieve this on completion of your Level 1 course.

    Alongside your practical skills development, we will help you to gain confidence in the broader professional skills of problem solving, working with others, communication skills, and effective time management.

  • Careers

    Typically graduating students from our Level 1 study programme progress to Level 2, and could use this as a stepping stone to eventual employment, apprenticeships, work experience and employment including innovative and dynamic careers such as:

    Advertising, architect,  artist, arts journalist, art director, CAD/CAM designer, cartoonist copywriter, content writer, costume designer, creative director, curator, digital artist, engraver, entrepreneur, event manager, exhibition designer, researcher, fashion designer, film maker, footwear designer,  furniture designer, gallery staff, game designer, graphic designer, interior designer, illustrator, lighting designer, makeup artist, marketeer, merchandiser, multimedia designer, product designer, programmer, photographer, set designer, teacher, therapist, UX designer, videographer and web designer.

  • English and maths

    Students who have either GCSE maths, or English at grade 4 or higher will benefit from having additional time allocated to their art and design study programme.

    Students who have not achieved GCSE English or maths to grade 4 or above, will benefit from having additional time allocated to their study programme in order to achieve GCSE’s in English and maths.

    English and maths skills development are also embedded within the core qualification.

  • Work experience

    Our dedicated work experience team are here to help and support you in finding a meaningful work experience opportunity.

    Recent studies have shown that employers consider work experience to be extremely desirable. Whilst qualifications are hugely important, employers also require candidates to have skills and experience necessary for the workplace.

    Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.

    Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills; have a better understanding of the industry you want to work in and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding and you may even be offered a great reference, a part–time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships or full-time jobs.

    Once you start your course you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early for you to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

    Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path in order to develop relevant skills. Equally, it also helps you to acquire employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience and you will receive some form of reference/feedback from the employer.

  • Other important information

    Students who have either GCSE maths, or English at grade 4 or higher will benefit from having additional time allocated to their art and design study programme.

    Students who have not achieved GCSE English or maths to grade 4 or above, will benefit from having additional time allocated to their study programme in order to achieve GCSE’s in English and maths.

    English and maths skills development are also embedded within the core qualification.

  • Is this course for you?

    Do you want to begin your journey towards a career in the creative industries? Do you want to develop and extend your skills and knowledge of a broad range of art and design skills and specialist areas? Then this course is for you!

    The UAL Awarding Body Level 1 Award and Diploma in Art & Design has been developed to provide students with an interest in art and design with the opportunity to explore the materials, methods and processes that support art and design activities, and to begin to develop some related technical skills.

    This initial experience of art and design activity is intended to provide you with an early test of commitment and interest in the subject. It also provides an opportunity for you to explore and develop the skills, knowledge and understanding required for progression within art and design education.

    The qualification structure will provide a sound base of skills and knowledge, will enhance self-confidence, and impart an understanding of the career demands and opportunities within art and design.

  • Required qualifications

    There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification.

  • What skills will I develop?

    Stage 1 (Level 1 Award in Art and Design)

    • Unit 1: Introduction to materials, processes and technical skills in art & design
    • Unit 2: Introduction to contextual research in art & design.

    On successful completion of this stage, you will be awarded the Level 2 Award before progressing onto the Diploma

    • Stage 2 (Level 1 Diploma in Art and Design)
    • Unit 3: Introduction to drawing skills
    • Unit 4: Introduction to communication skills in art and design
    • Unit 5: Solving 2D creative problems
    • Unit 6: Solving 3D creative problems
    • Unit 7: Solving time-based creative problems

    Stage 3 (Level 1 Diploma in Art and Design)

    • Unit 8: Developing and producing a personal project in art and design

    Drawing is a vital skill to have as an artist or designer, and there are opportunities to develop this skill throughout the whole course.

    You will also develop confidence in being able to communicate your ideas and thoughts effectively in a visual way, creating work in 2D (painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media), 3D (ceramics, model making, sculpture), and time-based (photography, animation, film-making and editing).

    The course is designed to provide you with as broad a range of experiences as possible to enable you to discover where your interests and talents lie within the visual arts.

    You will also be encouraged to think about your intended career path within the creative industries and identify the steps you need to take to achieve this on completion of your Level 1 course.

    Alongside your practical skills development, we will help you to gain confidence in the broader professional skills of problem solving, working with others, communication skills, and effective time management.

  • Careers

    Typically graduating students from our Level 1 study programme progress to Level 2, and could use this as a stepping stone to eventual employment, apprenticeships, work experience and employment including innovative and dynamic careers such as:

    Advertising, architect,  artist, arts journalist, art director, CAD/CAM designer, cartoonist copywriter, content writer, costume designer, creative director, curator, digital artist, engraver, entrepreneur, event manager, exhibition designer, researcher, fashion designer, film maker, footwear designer,  furniture designer, gallery staff, game designer, graphic designer, interior designer, illustrator, lighting designer, makeup artist, marketeer, merchandiser, multimedia designer, product designer, programmer, photographer, set designer, teacher, therapist, UX designer, videographer and web designer.

  • English and maths

    Students who have either GCSE maths, or English at grade 4 or higher will benefit from having additional time allocated to their art and design study programme.

    Students who have not achieved GCSE English or maths to grade 4 or above, will benefit from having additional time allocated to their study programme in order to achieve GCSE’s in English and maths.

    English and maths skills development are also embedded within the core qualification.

  • Work experience

    Our dedicated work experience team are here to help and support you in finding a meaningful work experience opportunity.

    Recent studies have shown that employers consider work experience to be extremely desirable. Whilst qualifications are hugely important, employers also require candidates to have skills and experience necessary for the workplace.

    Preparing you for the working world is very important to us, so that you may be successful in your next step.

    Work experience placements provide you with the opportunity to develop your skills; have a better understanding of the industry you want to work in and give you an insight into what it is like to be employed. They can also be great fun and very rewarding and you may even be offered a great reference, a part–time job, holiday working hours, apprenticeships or full-time jobs.

    Once you start your course you will be provided with further information about work experience programmes, but it is never too early for you to start thinking about work experience placements and finding an employer who will offer you an opportunity.

    Work experience is an opportunity for you to gain experience in your chosen career path in order to develop relevant skills. Equally, it also helps you to acquire employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for future employment. There will be an opportunity for you to reflect on your performance during work experience and you will receive some form of reference/feedback from the employer.

  • Other important information

    Students who have either GCSE maths, or English at grade 4 or higher will benefit from having additional time allocated to their art and design study programme.

    Students who have not achieved GCSE English or maths to grade 4 or above, will benefit from having additional time allocated to their study programme in order to achieve GCSE’s in English and maths.

    English and maths skills development are also embedded within the core qualification.

Apply for a course

  • Art & Design Diploma

    Lichfield College

    Start Date: September

    Code: QLF1AD

    Full Time: 35 Weeks

    Day(s): Usually 3-4 days per week