Art and design

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A welcome from the Head of Floristry, Event Styling and Art & Design - Louise Quigley

Hello and congratulations on your offer to study with us! I'm delighted you've chosen to join our art and design department at Capel Manor College. 

Whether you're taking your first steps into the creative industries or looking to develop your existing artistic practice, you've chosen a course that will inspire your creativity, build your confidence and help you develop the practical and professional skills needed for a successful future.

Art and design is about exploring ideas, experimenting with materials and discovering your own creative style. Throughout your course you'll work with a wide range of traditional and contemporary techniques including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, mixed media and digital processes. You'll develop your portfolio through practical projects that encourage creativity, problem-solving and innovation, while learning how artists and designers respond to real-world creative briefs. Sustainability is also an important part of our curriculum, with many projects making imaginative use of recycled, reclaimed and natural materials.

Depending on your course, you'll be based at either our Enfield or Mottingham Campus, where you'll learn in dedicated creative studios alongside experienced artists and designers. You'll take part in practical workshops, exhibitions and collaborative projects that reflect the way the creative industries work.

As London's only specialist environmental college, Capel Manor College offers an art and design experience unlike anywhere else. Our beautiful gardens and natural environments provide endless inspiration for creative work, from botanical illustration and printmaking to sculpture, sustainable design and environmental art.

Our team brings together a wealth of industry experience and is passionate about helping every learner succeed. We understand that everyone joins us with different experiences, interests and ambitions, and we'll support you every step of the way as you develop your skills, confidence and creative identity.

I hope you're as excited as we are to get started. We look forward to welcoming you in September and helping you begin the next stage of your creative journey!

Course overview

Our art and design courses combine creative exploration with practical, studio-based learning to prepare you for further study, university or a career within the creative industries.

Based at either our Enfield or Mottingham Campus, you'll develop your artistic and technical skills through a wide range of exciting projects. Throughout your course you'll explore drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, digital processes and visual communication, while learning how to research, develop and present original creative ideas. You'll build confidence in experimenting with different materials and techniques, including sustainable and recycled resources, as you develop a professional portfolio that showcases your individual style.

You'll also have opportunities to exhibit your work, respond to live creative briefs, visit galleries and museums, meet practising artists and designers, and explore the diverse career pathways available within the creative industries. Along the way you'll develop valuable professional skills including communication, collaboration, problem-solving and independent thinking, helping you become a confident, adaptable and creative practitioner.

Two Capel Manor College students sitting in the grounds of the Enfield Campus, chatting.

Modules and structure

Your course combines studio-based learning with practical creative projects. As you progress, we'll encourage you to become increasingly independent, experimental and confident in your creative practice, helping you build a professional portfolio that prepares you for further study, university or employment within the creative industries. Throughout the year you'll develop your knowledge and skills in areas such as:

  • Drawing, observational skills and visual communication
  • Painting, printmaking and mixed media techniques
  • Sculpture, ceramics and three-dimensional design
  • Textiles, surface pattern and creative making
  • Digital art, photography and creative media
  • Creative research and artist investigation
  • Sustainable art practices using recycled and natural materials
  • Portfolio development and presentation skills
  • Responding to creative briefs and problem solving
  • Working independently and as part of a creative team
  • Planning, producing and evaluating a final creative project
Felting work by art and design students at Capel Manor College set amongst the beautiful grounds of the Enfield Campus.

Equipment and uniform

Art and design is a practical, studio-based subject and you'll be working with a wide range of creative materials and techniques throughout the year. Most specialist art materials and equipment will be provided during your lessons, although you may choose to purchase additional materials as your projects develop. You'll also have access to specialist studios, creative equipment and digital resources throughout your course.

You will also be using laptops/computers and the Microsoft Office suite, including Microsoft Teams, to access learning resources, submit work and communicate with your tutors. Don't worry if you don't have everything on day one - we'll explain what you'll need during induction. Before you start, we'd recommend bringing:

  • An A4 or A3 sketchbook for ideas and observations
  • A basic drawing kit (HB–6B pencils, eraser, sharpener and black fineliner)
  • A notebook and pen
  • An apron or old shirt to protect your clothing during practical sessions
  • A refillable water bottle
  • A memory stick or cloud storage for saving your digital work (optional)

Meet the team

Louise Quigley

Fisun Houssein

Shelley Jefferson

Joanne Higgs

Preparing for study

If you'd like to get a head start before September, here are a few ideas:

Watch

Explore documentaries and programmes such as:

• The Great Pottery Throw Down
• Abstract: The Art of Design
• Landscape Artist of the Year
• Portrait Artist of the Year
• Behind-the-scenes videos from artists, illustrators and designers on YouTube

Think about where artists and designers find inspiration, how they develop ideas and how creativity can solve real-world problems.

Visit 

If you have the opportunity, visit:

• A local art gallery or museum
• Sculpture parks or public art trails
• Craft fairs or local art exhibitions
• The Tate galleries
• The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
• The Design Museum London

Take photographs, sketch things that inspire you and think about how colour, texture, shape and materials have been used.

Keep curious

Follow artists, designers and creative organisations such as:

• Tate
• Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
• Royal Academy of Arts
• Crafts Council
• Design Museum
• Design and Art Direction (D&AD)

Look for inspiration everywhere - from nature and architecture to fashion, music and everyday objects. Keep a sketchbook or folder of ideas, photographs and interesting designs that catch your eye. The more you observe the world around you, the more inspiration you'll have when you begin your creative journey with us.

Art and design FAQs

Art and design opens the door to a huge range of exciting careers across the creative industries.

Our students progress into areas including:

• Graphic design
• Illustration
• Fine art
• Fashion and textile design
• Interior and spatial design
• Photography
• Animation and digital media
• Product design
• Set and exhibition design
• Creative marketing and content creation
• University and higher education
• Apprenticeships

Our aim is to help you develop the creativity, technical skills and professional portfolio needed to take the next step, whatever that looks like for you.

Throughout your course you'll gain experience in:

• Drawing and observational skills
• Painting and printmaking
• Mixed media and textiles
• Sculpture and ceramics
• Digital art and creative media
• Sustainable art and design using natural and recycled materials
• Researching artists and developing creative ideas
• Portfolio development and exhibition of your work

• How to develop and communicate original creative ideas
• How to use a wide range of artistic materials, techniques and processes confidently
• How to research artists, designers and creative movements to inform your work
• How to respond creatively to design briefs and solve visual problems
• How to build a professional portfolio of artwork
• How to present and evaluate your work with confidence
• To show that you are ready for further study, university, an apprenticeship or employment within the creative industries

Not at all! Our courses are designed to help you develop your skills, whatever your starting point.

We're looking for enthusiasm, curiosity and a willingness to learn - not perfection. Everyone joins us with different experiences, interests and levels of confidence, and our tutors will support you to develop your technical skills, creative thinking and personal artistic style throughout your time at college.

Whether you've studied art and design before or are simply passionate about being creative, we'll help you build the confidence and portfolio needed to achieve your goals.

Throughout your time with us you'll have opportunities to:

• Exhibit your artwork and creative projects
• Visit galleries, museums and design exhibitions
• Meet practising artists, designers and creative professionals
• Take part in live briefs and collaborative creative projects
• Build an impressive portfolio for progression or employment
• Develop your creativity, confidence and professional skills
• Explore the wide range of careers available within the creative industries

Have questions?

Speak to our Admissions team via live chat from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday or email admissions@capel.ac.uk.