FdA 3D Design

Program Overview

This two-year program emphasizes the development of professional and creative skills in the creative arts industries. Students engage in work-based learning projects, develop their creative style, and explore historical and contemporary influences. The program offers an opportunity to showcase capabilities through a final major project and prepares students for careers in fields such as architecture, interior design, and product design.

Program Outline

Outline:

Level 4

• Module 1: WBL: Developing Professional and Employability Skills Part 1 (HRC)
• Focuses on career planning and developing employability and professional skills.
• Explores the creative arts industries to identify a route that reflects strengths and preferences.
• Prepares students for progression by networking and producing self-promotion materials.
• Articulates skills and knowledge to create an action plan for progression.
• Module 2: Creative Skills Development (HRC)
• Investigates and experiments with a wide variety of creative skills and techniques.
• Informs and develops students' own creative style.
• Researches and analyzes the work and styles of specialist practitioners.
• Develops individual creative practice and personal application of creative skills to support future projects and modules.
• Module 3: Vocational Project (HRC)
• Provides an understanding of professional practice and processes relevant to the discipline.
• Works to a scenario and researches the context, intended audience, and their expectations.
• Plans and completes the project to fulfill the vocational brief and manages the creative process from conception to final outcome.
• Module 4: WBL: Developing Professional and Employability Skills Part 2 (HRC)
• Articulates personal and professional skills development along with experiences gained through work-based learning project(s).
• Project outcome is a written report reflecting and evaluating on work-based learning activities with effective use of written communication skills and application of appropriate academic protocols.
• Includes an action plan to support Work Based Learning Project: Professional Practice Level 5 progression.
• Module 5: Contextual Studies (HRC)
• Executes a variety of research methods and techniques.
• Synthesizes discoveries and findings to demonstrate an understanding of historical and contemporary cultural influences in the creative discipline.
• Examines the work produced by creative practitioners during major movements and styles.
• Thoroughly researches historical and contemporary periods in the discipline and the contextual, cultural, technological, social, economic, and/or political factors that have influenced creative work produced in these contexts.
• Produces an essay (or negotiated equivalent) demonstrating subject knowledge, research and communication skills, and adherence to academic writing conventions.

Level 5

• Module 6: WBL Project: Professional Practice (HRC)
• Provides an opportunity to expand, develop, and apply knowledge, understanding, and skills learned from the course of study with local
  ational employers in a work-based environment.
• Exposes students to potential employment and study opportunities to develop their future careers.
• Requires working with an employer on a project that meets their needs while allowing students to express and develop their own professional skills and understanding.
• Project is shaped by negotiation between students, tutors, and employers.
• May be carried out on the employer's premises, depending on the type of project agreed upon.
• Students may develop creative ideas with fellow students and work in teams, partnerships, or individually.
• Develops professional skills needed to undertake and communicate a project plan and present outcomes successfully to employers and/or potential clients.
• Module 7: Critical and Cultural Studies (HRC)
• Examines the student's own discipline in relation to a personally chosen academic issue, theory, or debate in their creative field.
• Requires developing a substantiated perspective or argument.
• Lecturer helps students decide on a suitable topic to explore and provides academic support in researching and writing an essay or negotiated equivalent.
• Conducts substantial academic research and produces a literature review.
• Essay has a persuasive argument or an equivalent and adheres to academic protocols.
• Module 8: Portfolio Development (Three-dimensional Design, HRC)
• Explores, develops, and applies professional skills needed to build a strong portfolio of creative work to prepare for progression and/or employment.
• Develops understanding of professional practice, client/audience needs and requirements, and professional constraints in response to a vocational brief.
• Module 9: Final Major Project (Three-dimensional Design, HRC)
• Culmination of all previous modules studied and projects completed throughout the program.
• Synthesizes all previously acquired knowledge and skills to create an ambitious, large-scale self-directed creative project showcasing capabilities.
• Students can select an appropriate platform/context for their work and target it towards specific audiences.
• Draws on previous experiences and allows students to focus their creativity and work in the field they intend to progress or find employment in.

Teaching:

• Combines lectures, seminars, workshops, small group tutorials, coursework, and practical assignments.
• Encourages independent study to consolidate learning and broaden knowledge and understanding of the subject.
• Teaching staff includes full-time teaching staff and part-time industry professionals who split their time between teaching and working in the creative industries.
• International study trip, national study trips, and visits to businesses, agencies, museums, and galleries.

Careers:

• Architecture
• Interior design
• Product design
• Industrial design
• Jewellery design
• Model making
• Exhibition design
• Producing props and sets for film & TV
• 3D modelling
• Design education
• Self-employment
• Freelance work

Other:

• Emphasis on personal development and employability within the creative industries.
• Excellent employer engagement, live briefs, industry feedback, guest speakers, study trips, and overseas visits.
• Opportunity to gain a nationally recognized qualification in two years of full-time study.
• Progression route to the final year of an appropriate honors degree program at the University of Hertfordshire.