The Course

Course Overview

The HNC Fine Art (Art, Design & Photography) is a broad-based visual arts programme that provides students with the opportunity to explore, develop and refine their creative practice across multiple disciplines. Whether your interests lie in fine art, design, graphic design, photography, textiles, surface pattern or illustration, this course is designed to give you the freedom to specialise or combine areas through flexible, student-centred projects.

Throughout the course, students are encouraged to experiment widely, push creative boundaries, and establish a strong foundation in critical thinking, research, and technical skills. Assignments are designed to mirror real-world creative challenges, enabling students to build a professional, diverse portfolio of work.

Creative workshops form an integral part of the early experience, introducing students to a wide range of formal elements and technical processes. These are followed by independent project work, allowing for greater exploration and specialisation in chosen pathways.

Learning Approach

· Hands-on, workshop-led learning in a range of disciplines

· Focus on conceptual development and practical skills

· Critical engagement with historical and contemporary creative practices

· Self-directed projects supported by one-to-one tutorials and group critique

· Development of professional practice skills

Specialist Facilities

Students benefit from access to dedicated Higher Education resources and wider departmental facilities including:

· HE Design Studio (N.209) equipped with Apple Macs, Adobe Creative Suite, sewing machines, and heat press

· Fully equipped black and white darkroom and photographic studio

· Printmaking facilities (including screen printing and surface pattern equipment)

· Professional DSLR cameras and studio lighting

· Specialist textiles and surface design equipment

Modules

· A1: Concept and Development Focused on developing ideas, exploring materials and processes, researching contemporary and historical contexts, and solving creative problems through iterative practice.

· A2: Creative Project A self-directed, major project where students produce a substantial piece of creative work based on a chosen theme, supported by contextual research and professional presentation.