Level 3 Art and Design (Illustration)

Year 1 Unit 1 The Creative Process Unit 1 introduces students to the creative process, exploring its key stages from idea development to final outcomes in Illustration practice. Through projects and workshops, students will build practical skills, understand how each stage connects, and gain insight into how the creative process is used across the creative industries. Students will engage with and show an increasing ability to identify and apply creative process skills. This will include consideration of ethical and sustainable practices in Illustration.

Unit 2 ? Developing Creative Practice This unit introduces students to creative practice, exploring materials, techniques and processes across 2D, 3D and 4D (2D animation and storyboarding) disciplines. Students will experiment with and refine practical skills, learn safe working practices, and develop problem-solving approaches to create and present effective creative outcomes responding to briefs.

Unit 3 ? Responding to a Set Brief In this unit, students bring together all the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course in response to a creative brief. Students will plan and propose a project, generate and develop ideas, and produce and present a final outcome that meets the brief?s requirements.

The unit focuses on demonstrating practical skills, project development and professional presentation. Students will also reflect on their creative process, using reflective practice to inform decision-making and evaluate how successfully their work responds to the brief.

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Year 2 Unit 4 ? Researching a Specialist Industry Practice Students explore a chosen specialist area (such as editorial illustration, comics or graphic novels, animation, book illustration, character design, concept art, or graphic communication). They will use research into this area to support their development as emerging creative practitioners and to inform future career progression.

Students apply industry-focused research, reflection and experimentation to refine and communicate their ideas. The work produced demonstrates the development of specialist visual language and the ability to effectively communicate ideas and concepts within their chosen practice.

Unit 5 ? Specialist Technical Skills Development This unit focuses on improving technical and practical skills relevant to illustration practice. Through focused, material and process-led experimentation, students refine their understanding of their specialism. Students gain experience using materials and techniques to solve problems and produce outcomes relevant to their chosen industry practice. Safe working practices and professional presentation methods are embedded throughout the unit, ensuring work is produced to an appropriate standard. Ongoing reflection and evaluation support students? creative development, helping them strengthen their practice and prepare for progression.

Unit 6 ? Specialist Creative Outcome The final major project allows students to produce a sustained body of work that reflects their skills, interests, and creative development in a chosen specialist practice area. Experimentation, problem solving and refinement are central to this unit, resulting in a resolved outcome suitable for portfolios and progression. Students must use all aspects of the creative process within their practice to develop an appropriate and vocationally relevant outcome that meets the needs of a selected audience/consumer.

This course is designed for students with a genuine passion for any of the following: drawing, character design, Illustration and art and design techniques. You should be curious, motivated and excited to use a range of techniques and materials to communicate your ideas. It offers the chance to build confidence, and explore a range of illustrative, art and design, 2D animation techniques and traditional 3D skills such as ceramics and small-scale modelmaking.

If you are motivated to expand your creative abilities and committed to completing the programme, you will achieve a UAL Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma in Art, Design and Communication (Illustration pathway) ? this is a recognised qualification that opens doors. Through hands-on projects, you?ll develop your skills, grow in confidence, and begin to shape your own strong, creative voice. You?ll be encouraged to experiment, take risks, and challenge yourself, producing work that shows both technical ability and imaginative ideas. This is about learning how to think like an illustrator and visual storyteller.

Completing this qualification provides a clear progression route to higher-level study at degree level, apprenticeships, or entry-level employment within the illustration, art and design, animation, graphic communication and wider creative industries. It is an excellent foundation for ambitious students who want to unlock their full potential and prepare for a successful career in visual communication.

Assessment is portfolio and assignment-based, with work completed to strict deadlines in line with UAL expectations.

? On the UAL Level 3 Diploma, students complete a total of three units. ? On the Extended Diploma, students complete six units. [Inclusive of year 1]

All units are internally set and assessed, with Unit 3 (Diploma) and Unit 6 (Extended Diploma) externally moderated by the awarding body.

Each unit is graded, and students must achieve at least a pass in every unit to gain the full qualification. ? Units 1, 2, 4, and 5 are graded Pass only. ? Units 3 and 6 determine the overall qualification (Diploma or Extended Diploma) grade, awarded as: Pass, Merit or Distinction.

This structure ensures students develop a broad range of skills before applying their learning to the final projects, where creativity, increasing independence, and technical ability are demonstrated.

If you are aged 16-18, work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment. You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career. Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual academic progress or support needs. All students will continue to improve their maths and english and if you don't have a grade 4 (C) at GCSE Maths or English at the time of entry, we will work with you towards achieving that goal (subject to specific entry requirements for particular courses).

You will gain understanding into the industry practice of Illustrators, artists, animators and visual practitioners. You will explore a wide range of contemporary and historical illustrators, artists, designers and animators including diverse cultural influences, helping you to draw inspiration and contextualise your own creative work at Level 3.

You will learn about creative sectors relevant to illustration including publishing, storyboarding, editorial, animation and digital media, alongside professional expectations and emerging trends, supporting progression to higher-level study, apprenticeships, or employment.

Sustainable practice: Develop an understanding of environmentally responsible and ethical approaches in illustration and art practices and apply these principles to your projects. You will also look at the ethics surrounding use of Ai and the industry. You will work on your own strong visual voice and foundation in drawing and storytelling skills to set your work apart.

Digital skills: Gain competence in developing a digital portfolio, digital illustration skills and using 2D animation software enabling you to produce work that meets Level 3 professional standards.

Build expertise in a wide range of illustration, art and design and 2D animation techniques. This will include strong drawing skills, painting, printmaking, character design, storyboarding, visual storytelling, digital illustration, 3D ceramics and mixed media processes, enabling you to produce quality, industry-informed work.

Research: Use creative research methods and apply this research to inform your ideas and practical work.

Design and problem-solving: Learn to generate, develop, and apply creative ideas to illustration project briefs, enhancing your ability to solve visual and conceptual challenges independently and confidently.

Presentation and portfolio development: Gain the skills to present work effectively in both digital and practical formats, creating a portfolio that demonstrates your abilities and supports progression to higher education, apprenticeships, or employment within the creative industries.

Planning and organisation: You will manage your own workload effectively, plan and organise projects to meet industry standards, and ensure deadlines are achieved.

Reflective practice: You will critically evaluate your own work, analyse your practice, and make changes to improve outcomes and develop as an independent creative practitioner.

Project responsibility: You will take ownership of your projects, managing development from concept to completion, and respond constructively to feedback from tutors, peers, clients, or other stakeholders.

Professional conduct and attendance: You will demonstrate consistent attendance, punctuality, and good studio practice, maintaining a professional attitude and fully engaging with all academic and practical learning opportunities.

Engagement and collaboration: You will actively participate in group activities, tutorials, and workshops, contributing to a productive studio environment and supporting your own learning and that of others.

You may be required to go on trips or purchase a kit to undertake this course. Information about individual items and their associated costs will be sent to you in June/July before you enrol.

Some students may be eligible for support from the Student Bursary Scheme with the costs of coming to college. Applications are available on the college website under Student Support. If you require further assistance or would like to speak with a member of Student Services, please email financial.support@northamptoncollege.ac.uk or call 01604 734333.

If you are applying for financial assistance, please do not purchase any kit items. If your application is successful, the necessary items will be provided to you.

On successful completion of this programme you can go onto: ? Degree-level study in illustration, art and design, animation, graphic design and communication, concept art / game art or related subjects

? Creative apprenticeships

? Entry-level or freelance work in the illustration, art and design, graphic design and wider creative industries

This course is an excellent foundation for ambitious students who want to develop their ideas, build a strong portfolio, and prepare for a future in art and design or Illustration.

• A minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English and Art
• A portfolio demonstrating your skills and particular interest in Art. This may include GCSE artwork and personal work produced at home
• The level of course you enrol on will be determined by the quality of your portfolio
• References may be requested by the course lead

We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply.

These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.

Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements.

If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.