Art & Design Level 3

Entry requirements

A good standard of creative skill, students will be required to provide a portfolio of work at interview. At least four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, ideally including Art or BTEC Level 2 Art & Design at Merit or equivalent. 

Course Overview

For students looking to study art and design in Southampton and the New Forest, our Art & Design Level 3 course, is designed to actively prepare and support those who are interested in studying at a higher level or seeking a career in the creative industries.  

Taking your learning further, our course covers a range of art and design practice including drawing, painting, photography, illustration, 3D and digital design. Enabling you to develop your creative skills and undertake projects with commercial briefs to develop confidence and give you the relevant experience and skills for employment. 

You will explore and learn different art styles from other artists and designers and understand the impact they have on society. You will be encouraged to work within a team and to develop independence, as well as have the opportunity to work with employers and visit local higher education providers. 

What will I learn?

Our art and design courses are based on the Nacro Education Get Set! framework, enabling you gain critical skills and transferable skills that you need to progress onto your next step and help build your CV.  

As part of this course, you will enhance your understanding and knowledge of the techniques associated with the art and design sector. We’ve designed this course to shape your creative vision, while supporting you to present ideas, listen to advice and the views of others. You will have the opportunity to work with commercial briefs and learn how art and design can make a positive difference in the wider community.   

In addition, you will have the opportunities to learn maths and English as part of this course. 

Work Experience

As part of the Nacro Education Get Set! framework, we encourage you to engage in enrichment activities to support your learning.  

You will be required to complete 60 hours of work experience during the college year. This can be undertaken throughout the year or during the two work experience weeks, one in February before the half-term break and the other the week before the Easter holiday. 

You will be able to undertake creative tasks in the local area. Previously, this has included mural painting at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre, painting Memorial Day sculptures through Totton Town Council, working at local galleries such as ‘A Space Arts’ in Southampton. 

In addition, you will be encouraged to visit local creative higher education providers to see the day-to-day activities provided within this level of study, and attend careers fair to discuss employment, apprenticeships, further and higher education.  

You will also be able to take part in drawing and painting activities with internal and external organisations. Recent activities have been to produce artwork for some of the management offices, painting Memorial Day statues and producing photographic publicity for college departmental teams. 

Modules

Modules for the Art & Design Level 3 course include:  

Art and design in context  

In this module students produce a timeline for a chosen area of study that relates artists, craftspeople, or designers to their movements or styles. Students identify relevant influential key trends and events. Students produce competent final creative work inspired by the work of the artist, craftsperson or designer studied. 

Landscape photography  

Students investigate the colour and black and white landscape photography work of a range of professional photographers, using annotated studies. Students develop their own landscape ideas in response to a client brief. Students present their ideas and initial photographs to the client for selection and feedback. The final images produced by the learner demonstrate proficient skills in landscape photography and satisfy the requirements of the client brief.  

Character design and creation 

Students investigate a range of characters, from comic or graphic novels and animation or console games. Students use annotated studies to investigate how characters are created. Students develop a range of ideas for a new character using annotated studies. One idea is developed further and presented in a final design. The students place their character in a short cartoon strip with at least another character. Finally, students use 3D modelling techniques to produce a competent 3D model or maquette of their new character.  

How artists use 2D media  

Students produce studies into a broad range of 2D artists and/or designers to investigate how they respond to subjects, themes and issues. Students then generate a range of appropriate ideas for their own 2D work. Students also consider safe working practices when using 2D media and produce final 2D work using their chosen media. 

How artists use 3D media  

Students produce annotated studies into a broad range of 3D artists and/or designers. Students use explore the characteristics, working and potential of a range of 3D materials. They produce a range of competent 3D samples. Students use their investigations into 3D artists’ and/or designers’ work to influence the development of a chosen idea for their own 3D work. 

Illustration  

Students use studies to investigate the styles, media, techniques and processes used by a range of illustrators. Students develop a range of appropriate ideas for illustration work in response to a client brief which they present to the client for feedback and selection. Students then go on to produce the final illustration work which is presented in a suitable format.  

Fine Art Drawing  

Students investigate the drawing techniques and approaches used by artists. Students produce a series of drawings influenced by the artists they have investigated and develop ideas for a personal fine art drawing project. Students produce a competent personal fine art drawing project, along with a sketchbook/journal that records their thoughts and progress. 

Fine Art Painting  

Students investigate a range of fine art painters’ work, using annotated studies, generating ideas for a personal fine art painting, and develop one of them further. Students produce a competent final fine art painting and present their work. 

Fine Art Printmaking  

Students investigate a range of printmaking techniques and processes, developing ideas for a series of fine art prints, in response to a project or brief. Once the final prints have been produced, they are presented in an appropriate format.   

Upcycling fashion products  

Students investigate how the fashion industry is influenced by reclaimed materials, ecological sustainability and trends for vintage, retro and eco-fashion. Students explore how garments or fashion accessories are made by demonstrating a range of construction and deconstruction techniques. Students produce a competent final up-cycled garment or fashion accessory. 

Fashion Illustration 

Students investigate how a range of fashion illustration styles have developed and been influenced by relevant contextual trends. Students experiment with techniques, media, materials, and processes to develop their own fashion illustration style. Students apply their illustration style and technique to produce a range of original fashion illustrations, in response to a client brief. Students use appropriate techniques to present their illustrations to the client. 

Assessment

At Totton College, we use a variety of assessment methods to ensure you achieve the Art & Design Level 3 qualification.

Modules are assessed in the form of a portfolio of work; this could include observations on practical tasks or written assessments. You will be supported with all your work and given feedback and an opportunity to rework it before external assessment takes place. Your teacher will go through all this when you sign up for the course. 

The coursework is graded at the end of each module with continual and final assessments.  

Enrichment Opportunities

As part of the Nacro Education Get Set! framework, we encourage you to engage in enrichment activities to support your learning.  

You will be required to complete 60 hours of work experience during the college year. This can be undertaken throughout the year or during the two work experience weeks, one in February before the half-term break and the other the week before the Easter holiday. 

You will be able to undertake creative tasks in the local area. Previously, this has included mural painting at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre, painting Memorial Day sculptures through Totton Town Council, working at local galleries such as ‘A Space Arts’ in Southampton. 

In addition, you will be encouraged to visit local creative higher education providers to see the day-to-day activities provided within this level of study, and attend careers fair to discuss employment, apprenticeships, further and higher education.  

You will also be able to take part in drawing and painting activities with internal and external organisations. Recent activities have been to produce artwork for some of the management offices, painting Memorial Day statues and producing photographic publicity for college departmental teams. 

Career and Progression

After successfully passing this course, you will have core knowledge to progress on to a higher-level qualification and to move forward towards your chosen career. 

On successful completion of this course students will achieve the Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate in Art and Design. 

After completing the course, you can progress into higher education at undergraduate level. You may also wish to discuss career options with the college careers advisor prior to completion of your course to explore apprenticeships or employment. 

During my course, I have had the chance to explore printmaking, fine art, collages, and self-image and using equipment like the printing press and darkroom facilities. I’ve enjoyed experimenting with different techniques and mediums and having supportive classmates and teachers, it has made experience even better. My proudest achievement was creating my first piece, inspired by the Dada movement, during my Level 2 Art & Design course, which is currently displayed in reception. My advice to new students is to take full advantage of the opportunities here and embrace mistakes, as they can lead to new creative ideas. After college, I hope to have my work showcased in a local or national art gallery.

Hayden Thornton

Art & Design Level 3 student

Funding and bursaries

Students if you’re aged over 19 you may be eligible for free tuition depending on the course you want to study, your existing qualifications and your financial circumstances. For more information email info@totton.ac.uk or call 023 8087 4874.

Advanced Learner Loans are available for students who are aged 19 or over. Repayments do not begin until the course is completed and you are earning £25,000 or over. Eligible learners will be enrolling on a level 3 or above course and are a UK or EU national. For further information, visit gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

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