Stage 1. Observation, Translation and Invention
About the course
One of the most exciting things about the art and design of tomorrow is that we don’t know what it will look like. However, we can be fairly certain that it won’t look like the art and design of today. So, if there is a job description which is common to all artists and designers it is that they have to be able to create things that people have never seen before; new images, new objects, new environments and new situations. In order to do this, students need to be able to move beyond their preconceptions. To surprise other people students first need to be able to surprise themselves. The Foundation programme at BHSAD establishes the conditions in which this can happen.
The emphasis early in the course is on arriving at ideas rather than beginning with ideas. Arriving at intention through exploring formal and material possibilities. Various constraints are employed which serve to deliberately limit the students possibilities in order to focus their inventive potential.
The course develops the student’s understanding of the world of art and design. Students examine where their strengths and interests lie through an engagement with practical projects, problem solving and critical thinking. The course is studied in three stages. It gradually moves from being predominately staff led during Stage 1, to a situation where students are able to develop projects wholly independently by Stage 3. This emphasis on developing independence is a vitally important preparation for degree level study.
The course is taught in English. English language tuition is an important part of the programme with a particular emphasis on the use of a specialist art and design vocabulary. Students attend twice-weekly English classes. Being able to confidently discuss their work in English enables students to becoming internationally employable.
How to prepare for entry exams
Foundation Art & Design Show 2020
The emphasis early in the course is on arriving at ideas rather than beginning with ideas. Arriving at intention through exploring formal and material possibilities. Various constraints are employed which serve to deliberately limit the students possibilities in order to focus their inventive potential.
The course develops the student’s understanding of the world of art and design. Students examine where their strengths and interests lie through an engagement with practical projects, problem solving and critical thinking. The course is studied in three stages. It gradually moves from being predominately staff led during Stage 1, to a situation where students are able to develop projects wholly independently by Stage 3. This emphasis on developing independence is a vitally important preparation for degree level study.
The course is taught in English. English language tuition is an important part of the programme with a particular emphasis on the use of a specialist art and design vocabulary. Students attend twice-weekly English classes. Being able to confidently discuss their work in English enables students to becoming internationally employable.
How to prepare for entry exams
Foundation Art & Design Show 2020
What makes the programme unique
Programme Structure
Stage 1
Introduces students to a series of strategies and attitudes through which they begin to engage with a broad range of ideas, media and workshops. Students are asked to suspend their judgement and to challenge their preconceptions through a series of intensive challenging projects.
These projects require students to work outside their comfort zone, encouraging them to arrive at ideas through mindful play and experimentation. Students attend relevant practical workshops, developing key skills such as drawing, idea generation, research and problem solving. Structured projects allow students to experience a broad range of creative activities in order that they make an informed decision of which specialist pathway to enter.
These projects require students to work outside their comfort zone, encouraging them to arrive at ideas through mindful play and experimentation. Students attend relevant practical workshops, developing key skills such as drawing, idea generation, research and problem solving. Structured projects allow students to experience a broad range of creative activities in order that they make an informed decision of which specialist pathway to enter.
Stage 2
In Stage 2 students study within a specialist pathway. The specialist pathways are: Fine Art; Fashion and Textiles; Communication Design and Three Dimensional and Spatial Design. An understanding of contemporary practice is emphasised so that students can make informed decisions regarding their future careers and their progression to the range of the School’s art and design BA courses.
Through a series of creative projects students develop a greater understanding of their chosen field and its related disciplines. As Stage 2 progresses the projects become increasingly focussed towards specific degree applications. Within the Communication Design Pathway this would mean students identifying as Illustration or Graphic Design specialists; within the Fashion and Textiles pathway students identify as Fashion or Textile specialists and within the Three Dimensional and Spatial Design Pathway students identify as Product Design, Jewellery or Interior Architecture Design specialists.
Through a series of creative projects students develop a greater understanding of their chosen field and its related disciplines. As Stage 2 progresses the projects become increasingly focussed towards specific degree applications. Within the Communication Design Pathway this would mean students identifying as Illustration or Graphic Design specialists; within the Fashion and Textiles pathway students identify as Fashion or Textile specialists and within the Three Dimensional and Spatial Design Pathway students identify as Product Design, Jewellery or Interior Architecture Design specialists.
Stage 3
In Stage 3, every student proposes and executes an independent project culminating in a body of work for a public exhibition in a professional context. Students receive intensive critical feedback during this period, thus allowing them to refine and realise their ideas to a high standard. Stage 3 is delivered and examined at the same level as the first year as a BA (Hons) programme.
By the end of the stage and the course, students have developed a sophisticated understanding of their chosen subject, refined their research, problem solving, planning, organisation, analytical and practical skills to degree level. They are perfectly placed to successfully progress onto the BA degree programme of their choice.
By the end of the stage and the course, students have developed a sophisticated understanding of their chosen subject, refined their research, problem solving, planning, organisation, analytical and practical skills to degree level. They are perfectly placed to successfully progress onto the BA degree programme of their choice.
Tutors
Course teachers
Student works
Stage 1. Skin&Bone Individual Structures
Stage 1. Text&Language
Stage 1. When worlds collide
Stage 1. Photographic constraint
Stage 1. Cut&Paste
Stage 2. 3D&Spacial
Stage 2. Communication design
Stage 2. Fashion&Textiles
Even more works in programme Instagram
How to apply
01
Entry requirements
Students applying for Foundation Art and Design (FAD) and Year 1 of British higher education (BA (Hons) programmes) need to complete the following:
- English exam (in the absence of an IELTS certificate) — Required Level of English)
- Portfolio review (See section on Required Portfolio)
- Interview (See section on Interview Procedure)
How to prepare for entry exams
- English exam (in the absence of an IELTS certificate) — Required Level of English)
- Portfolio review (See section on Required Portfolio)
- Interview (See section on Interview Procedure)
How to prepare for entry exams
02
Required level of English
The minimum entry requirement for prospective students during the preliminary examination is pre-intermediate to intermediate English. As part of Foundation Art & Design course students undergo intensive training in groups of respective levels (from Pre-Intermediate to Advanced). After this training the students take the IELTS test which is a prerequisite for moving to the Year 1 of a BA degree programme.
The test is carried out in several stages or modules:
Listening (listening to recording played once) – 10 questions, 15 minutes. Examples: audio task, answers;
Grammar test – 55 questions, 40 minutes, based on Murphy "English Grammar in Use" Intermediate;
Reading apprehension – 2 parts, 20 questions, 30 minutes, no electronic version, usually printed and adapted;
Essay writing – 45 minutes, 200-250 words on a topic proposed; e.g. Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in?
The total test duration is 2 hours. A 10-break is given before the essay writing.
The test is carried out in several stages or modules:
Listening (listening to recording played once) – 10 questions, 15 minutes. Examples: audio task, answers;
Grammar test – 55 questions, 40 minutes, based on Murphy "English Grammar in Use" Intermediate;
Reading apprehension – 2 parts, 20 questions, 30 minutes, no electronic version, usually printed and adapted;
Essay writing – 45 minutes, 200-250 words on a topic proposed; e.g. Some people prefer to live in a small town. Others prefer to live in a big city. Which place would you prefer to live in?
The total test duration is 2 hours. A 10-break is given before the essay writing.
03
Required portfolio
A1 portfolio
15 – 20 pieces of design / art work
Sketchbooks any size (maximum of 3)
Please ensure you clearly label your A1 portfolio and sketchbooks with your full name, in Latin text. Digital files should also be organized into a separate folder on your portable hard drive, be clearly labeled with your name and the title of any specific project.
Present examples of the best and most recent projects, reflective of your creative abilities. Include original artwork such as drawings and paintings as well as large format digital prints and photographs. Animation and video work should be presented on a portable hard drive, files should be compatible with Apple operating systems.
Your portfolio should contain a range of visual material, including sketchbooks, rresearch and developmental work as well as finished two-dimensional works and photographs of three dimensional pieces or two dimensional works which are too large to include in the portfolio.
We will look for:
Try to show us your best and latest works, which fully showcase your creative abilities. Students applying to BA Year 1 (as opposed to Foundation applicants) must be able to demonstrate a significantly higher level of conceptual and technical skills.
15 – 20 pieces of design / art work
Sketchbooks any size (maximum of 3)
Please ensure you clearly label your A1 portfolio and sketchbooks with your full name, in Latin text. Digital files should also be organized into a separate folder on your portable hard drive, be clearly labeled with your name and the title of any specific project.
Present examples of the best and most recent projects, reflective of your creative abilities. Include original artwork such as drawings and paintings as well as large format digital prints and photographs. Animation and video work should be presented on a portable hard drive, files should be compatible with Apple operating systems.
Your portfolio should contain a range of visual material, including sketchbooks, rresearch and developmental work as well as finished two-dimensional works and photographs of three dimensional pieces or two dimensional works which are too large to include in the portfolio.
We will look for:
- Drawing (the ability to translate observations of the three dimensional world in front of you to a two dimensional plane).
- Making and crafting skills
- Use of a range of media, materials and approaches
- Experimental approach to media and materials
- Development and process (we are more interested in how a work has been tested and developed – all the things that you experimented with and tried – than we are in the finished work itself) Evidence of this is often found in sketchbooks, design sheets and practical tests.
Try to show us your best and latest works, which fully showcase your creative abilities. Students applying to BA Year 1 (as opposed to Foundation applicants) must be able to demonstrate a significantly higher level of conceptual and technical skills.
04
Interview procedure
During the interview, you will be asked a number of questions to assess their knowledge and understanding contemporary art and design. You will be asked about your education and professional experience to inform the ultimate decision about your admission to the programme. Be ready to tell us about yourself, about your engagement with art and design and the projects you are presenting.
FAQ
How can I apply?
Applicants need to provide the following documents:
- online application form
- copy or the original of previous education certificates and academic qualifications.
- 2 photos 3×4
- copy of your passport
After the necessary documents are provided you need to sign the contracts. For applicants under 18 presence of one of the parents is required. More details about the application process can be found in the “How to apply” section of the website.
- online application form
- copy or the original of previous education certificates and academic qualifications.
- 2 photos 3×4
- copy of your passport
After the necessary documents are provided you need to sign the contracts. For applicants under 18 presence of one of the parents is required. More details about the application process can be found in the “How to apply” section of the website.
What is the language of delivery?
The education at BHSAD is provided by an international team of lecturers but the working language is always English for our British programmes.