Art and Design (BTEC Level 2 Diploma)

Specific Entry Criteria

Standard college requirements for an intermediate programme.

About the Subject

The BTEC Level 2 Diploma is a well recognised qualification and is equivalent to 4 GCSE’s.

The course aims to introduce students to a broad range of art and design skills, from painting and sculpture to graphic design. The work is largely practical with students recording processes and evaluating their own work in written form. In all units, students will work to an assignment brief, where ideas will be created for realistic environments and purposes.

On successful completion of this course students can progress on to an advanced level 3 BTEC National course specialising in the art and design fields or onto a range of A/S and A level courses. The BTEC Level 2 Diploma course will prepare you well for both of these progression opportunities in terms of quality of work and organisation of workload.

Course Content

This is a one-year course during which students complete 8 units. Six of these are core units.

Unit 1 - Contextual References in Art and Design

In this unit students will explore the work of other contemporary/historical artists, which may be through gallery visits, book and internet research. Students will respond practically, exploring the visual language of artists as well as presenting research gathered from various sources. Students’ own work will form a personal response to the work of others and could focus on individuals or a group of artists.

Unit 2 - 2D Visual Communication

Unit 3 – 3D Visual Communication

Students will explore a variety of drawing techniques, recording from life as well as using the work of other artists to inspire their own ideas. Students will work through a clear process, with the exploration of a range of media discussed in groups and recorded in writing. Students will develop ideas on paper and explore 3-dimensional ideas through the use of models.

Unit 4 – Using Ideas to Explore, Develop and Produce Art and Design.

This unit is part of a Final Major Project. The unit will build on specialist skills such as sculpture, fine art, and graphic design work. Students will work to a project proposal where clear aims and objectives will be set, this enables students to create a thorough and considered piece.

Unit 5 – Building an Art and Design Portfolio

In this unit learners will be taught the skills required to undertake the building of their portfolio to act as a vehicle for supporting an application to employment or further study. In doing this they will learn how to evaluate their work as a whole, and consider the strengths and areas for development in their work.

Unit 6 – Working in the Art and Design Industry

This unit aims to provide learners with a broad understanding of the art and design industry and the employment opportunities available within it. This will include an overarching understanding of the different specialist areas and how they relate to each other and give learners an awareness of the employment roles and possibilities within the art and design industry.

Unit 8 – Working with Photography Briefs

Students will explore a range of media and technology within the Photography field. Students will use digital techniques to manipulate, adjust and edit imagery. Students will learn Adobe Photoshop skills to develop and produce final photos.

Unit 13 – Visual Arts briefs

Students will explore a broad variety of art and design skills to develop ideas for functional objects. This may include working in areas such as ceramics, free art and textiles, depending on the assignment brief and functional needs of the design.

This is quite an intense course as there is much to cover in one year. Therefore students need to be motivated, eager to learn new skills and organise their time well to meet deadlines.

Assessment

The units and the full award are graded as Pass, Merit and Distinction. After initial assessment, units will be returned to students with feedback, to enable students to develop/extend work and therefore improve grades.