This is a hands-on course giving you a broad experience in art & design. You will be able to express yourself through the use of different materials. The course aims to provide students with a broad programme of art & design studies covering a range of skills including Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, 3D work, Textiles and Fashion. Through projects that may run for a day, a week or a number of weeks the course will challenge you to step out of your comfort zone & try new things. You will also research into different artists and designers, visit museums and galleries and undertake location drawing. You will develop practical skills such as working in sketchbooks, presenting work and building a portfolio. You will be given the opportunity to develop language and literacy skills through research and writing about your own work and ideas. It will also help you to identify where your strengths and interests lie. If you are interested in a career in the creative industries, City College is the place to study art and design on the South Coast. Based at City College’s Pelham Street campus in North Laine, the College’s Visual Arts department has cultivated the type of vibrant, exciting atmosphere that you would expect from being at an Art College. There are rich and diverse opportunities across the art and design spectrum, covering fashion, textiles, graphics, illustration, games development, 3 D and mixed media - a diversity that is unmatched in local further education arts provision. There’s a big arts community at the College from Level 1 through to Foundation Degree level so it’s the kind of environment in which fashion textiles students are likely to rub shoulders with fine art sculpture students. This constant exchange of ideas is encouraged and supported by tutors. The department has a wide range of full-time and sessional staff who are all practising artists and designers involved in Brighton’s buzzing art and design scene. Whether you’re a school leaver or mature student, if you want to work in the creative industries but need guidance in finding your direction, there are staff here who will help you to focus and realise your potential. Every year, the department stages spectacular fashion shows which not only involves collaboration amongst students from different art and design disciplines but also with students from the College’s music and hair & beauty departments. Overseas study trips to locations such as Amsterdam have also proved inspirational to students. Along with the sense of creative freedom that students enjoy, there is an academic underpinning to the development of skills. Curses are vocationally-focussed with pastoral care, guidance and support helping students who are making the transition from school to College. Parental consultation during courses is welcomed and valued.

All students are invited into college for an interview with the Course Leader. This is where you can show your interest, enthusiasm and commitment to this art course through your studies at school, your hobbies, any work experience or your ambitions. You will need to show you are committed to the course and prepared to work in and out of class. You also need to bring a portfolio of work or sketch books with you to interview. Interviews take place from January through to August. You may also have to complete an initial assessment before your interview, so that we can see your level of literacy and numeracy skills.