The Certificate in Arts + Design focuses on developing skills in drawing, painting, mixed media, and design. It offers opportunities for focused sampling and exploration primarily within the areas of Fine Arts + Photo Media, with some further content relating to Design Innovation and Fashion + Sustainability, all of which underpin the degree-level programmes at Whitecliffe.

 

Certificate in Arts + Design Course Outline

The Certificate in Arts + Design focuses on developing skills in drawing, painting, mixed media, and design. It offers opportunities for focused sampling and exploration primarily within the areas of Fine Arts + Photo Media, with some further content relating to Design Innovation and Fashion + Sustainability, all of which underpin the degree-level programmes at Whitecliffe.

The emphasis is on practical projects and deepening students' understanding of the visual arts as well as the principles and the application of design, supported by conceptual content and knowledge. Students are enabled to develop the appropriate skills and can manage projects/briefs under broad guidance. Students are guided to edit, select, and format their best visual outcomes into a portfolio at the end of the programme. Students gain a solid base of art and design-related knowledge, equipping them with the learning strategies, attitudes, and skills for higher-level tertiary study, or entry-level employment in the field.

 

Certificate in Arts + Design Overview

• Studio Based Arts
  Students are introduced to a range of drawing, mixed media, painting, collage, and three-dimensional art-making techniques enabling them to communicate ideas visually, whilst providing opportunities to practice, develop, and refine these skills. They will gain an understanding of mark-making, observational, conceptual drawings, and image-making. Students will also be introduced to practical painting skills, mediums, techniques, concepts, and colour studies.

• Photo Media + Moving Image
  Students will experiment with photographic and moving image concepts and processes allowing them to gain an understanding of composition, image capture, and editing techniques in both still-image making and short-film making. Students will learn about contemporary themes in both photographic and moving image mediums.

• Design Methodology
  Students are introduced to principles, elements, and foundational processes of design and print making. They will use design software and will be encouraged to think about how it can contribute to art making and design processes. This includes elementary print making processes; block-making, stencil creation, and screen printing. Students will develop an understanding of composition, colour, and the use of image and text in the design process as well as elementary theoretical and conceptual design processes.

• Arts Practices
  Students are introduced to fundamental methods of visual recording, critical analysis, and experimental art making. Students will explore and learn creative processes related to accessing, recording, and presenting information, critical studies, and collaborative work-making related to contextual theme and portfolio design and exhibition practices.