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University of the West of Scotland


Courses

Digital Art

Take your art and design skills to a new level – this course explores design for print, web design, video production and animation, opening up career opportunities in a range of areas within the creative industries.

This exciting programme aims to widen access to art and design at higher education level, providing students with the practical expertise, creative thinking and aesthetic sensibilities that will be attractive to employers in the creative industries.

The programme has three main areas of study. Firstly, students will develop practical experience in the more traditional skills of visual communication and principles of art and design. Through a range of activities, which will include analytical drawing, life drawing and design, students will become proficient in the use of the visual elements and composition. These topics provide the background knowledge and practical skills, essential to a digital art degree. Digital media is the main focus in the second component and looks at how these art and design principles can be applied in the digital domain. You will use state-of-the-art equipment and cover topics such as design for print, web design, video production and animation. In the third part, academic studies, you will examine the way art and other texts engage with people and societies and will provide you with the opportunity to develop your critical thinking. Professional issues within the creative industries will also be addressed.

Students will experience a number of studio and workshop practices that include individual and team work. There will be opportunities to devise, at a professional level, creative projects that bring together all the art learning and digital skills acquired during the course. Guest lectures and workshop sessions with artists and designers of note are also planned.

In addition, students will be able to plan, mount and set up exhibitions of their own creative projects. There may be opportunities to undertake practical work experience. Applicants will be expected to present a strong portfolio with evidence of drawing skills, experimentation and research.

At interview, applicants should be able to discuss their art and design skills and demonstrate a strong visual awareness through their practical work. Photographic experience, computer literacy and interest in areas such as digital art and animation would also be useful to support application for the course.

 

 

Course Contents

Year 1

Students are given opportunities to develop their fine art and design skills. They will explore creative areas of video, animation and graphics design for print. They will be given the opportunity to explore art practice and historical contextualisation.

Year 2

Students will further enhance their skills in fine art and design. They will become more proficient in the specialist areas of video, animation and graphics focusing on web design. They will engage with art-based theoretical models which will enhance their ability to contextualise and locate their work.

Year 3

Students will now specialise in their chosen areas of digital creativity – video, animation, graphics and interactive new media. Fine art teaching will continue to develop students’ skills within this area. Academic and theoretical subject material will further prepare students for their Honours year.

Year 4

In this final year, students will be expected to utilise their core skills in the development of self generated creative projects covering digital and fine art. Production of an Honours dissertation covering an area of personal study is also a pre-requisite for this programme.

Career Prospects

Digital Art graduates are likely to have employment opportunities in Media, Film, Television, Graphics, Computer Games Design and Publishing. Graduates of this specialised visually creative degree would be attractive to employers across the creative industries.

CAMPUS

  • Ayr

UCAS CODE

  • Digital Art
  • Ayr Campus - W290 A BA/DA

QUALIFICATION & DURATION

  • BA - 3 Years
  • BA Hons - 4 Years

LINKS

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

  • Higher
    BBC including English and preferably Art.
  • A-Level
    CC. English Language and Literature required @ GCSE and Art preferred.
  • FE
    Year 2: HNC Digital Art and Animation; Animation; Art and Design; Illustration; or other relevant subject. Contact Admissions Officer for details.

    Year 3:     HND Digital Art and Animation; Animation; Art and Design; Illustration; or other relevant subject. Contact Admissions Officer for details.
  • Comments
    N.B. All candidates will also interviewed and assessed on their portfolio.

CONTACT