The Advanced Certificate Art and Design (Foundation) course provides students with a broad, exploratory introduction to creative practice, preparing them for progression into undergraduate study in art, design, and related creative disciplines. The course is designed to develop fundamental practical skills, visual literacy, critical awareness, and personal creative identity through a balance of studio-based practice, contextual studies, and portfolio development.

Throughout the programme, students build strong observational and developmental drawing skills, using a range of traditional and experimental techniques to explore form, structure, composition, and expression. Drawing is treated as both a technical skill and a thinking tool, supporting idea generation, experimentation, and visual communication across disciplines.

Students are introduced to the creative process in art and design, learning how to research, develop, test, and refine ideas. Emphasis is placed on understanding how concepts evolve from initial inspiration to resolved outcomes. Through project-based learning, students explore different materials, methods, and media, developing confidence in making creative decisions and reflecting on their practice.

The course also encourages engagement with contextual and cultural perspectives, enabling students to understand how art and design are shaped by historical, social, and cultural influences. Modules focusing on art and design context and cultural identity support critical thinking and help students situate their work within wider visual and cultural frameworks.

Alongside traditional practices, students gain experience in photography, graphic design techniques, and digital imaging, developing essential digital and visual communication skills relevant to contemporary creative practice. These modules help students understand how analogue and digital approaches intersect in modern art and design.

A strong focus is placed on portfolio production, guiding students in selecting, presenting, and reflecting on their work to a professional standard. The course culminates in a major graded unit and an integrated art and design project, allowing students to demonstrate their creative development, technical skills, and personal direction.

By the end of the foundation year, students will have developed a coherent portfolio, improved confidence in their creative abilities, and a clearer understanding of potential progression routes. Graduates of the course are well prepared to progress to undergraduate degrees in art, graphic design, digital design, games, animation, photography, or related creative fields.