We can't wait to welcome you to Andover College in September!
We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying Foundation Art & Design at Andover College is like. Meet your lecturer Charmaine and check back in with this page weekly as she sets you new and exciting challenges to encourage your creativity and develop your skills before you start in September!
We would love to see your ideas and results so please send them back to andoverapplicantwelcome@sparsholt.ac.uk with 'Foundation Art & Design' as the email heading!
Make sure you also take a look at all the additional support we can provide for you at Andover College through our experienced Careers and Wellbeing teams.
About the Course!
This pre-degree diploma is an intensive, exciting and challenging course that will introduce you to a wide range of materials and artistic styles. You will be encouraged throughout the process by our experienced team of lecturers! One day you could be making cardboard communities, the next an animation exploring horizontal movement. Workshops are quick, but it is this which adds to the vibrant nature of FAD at Andover!
You will explore an extensive range of materials and resources delivered by subject specialists. We work with 2D; draw, paint, print. 3D; design, product, architecture, fashion, textile. Visual Communication; graphic, illustration, animation, film, photography. Our ethics are to play with materials, be invigorated and make discoveries.
Over the next 10 weeks, I will be posting a series of challenges. This is to keep your mind active and engaged, it may also reveal new opportunities and interests. The tasks will be varied, and encapsulate the nature of the first stage of the course. On FAD our students come from a wide range of areas, each experiencing some workshops for the first time. Be open to exploring materials and ideas, and if it doesn’t turn out as you expected, remember the reward is in the creative journey.
Materials will be hard to source, work with what you have. Importantly always stay safe. Problem solving is a key aspect of art education. Enjoy making the work, and we are looking forward to seeing how you approach the tasks across the weeks. Remember we want you to have fun as well!
Week Five: Marvellous Inventions
Week Four: Senses
This week I would like you to explore your conceptual skill. You need to produce a piece of work which explores one or more of the 5 senses.
Week Three: Superhero
This week I would like you to turn yourself or someone else into a superhero. This can be looked at from various starting points, but quintessentially this week is a 2D challenge.
Week Two: Miniature Space
Your challenge this week is to catapult yourself/life and experiences into a miniature space! Take a look at the presentation below and make sure you send us your results!
Week 1: Windows
We would like you to turn a window into an artwork!
For this challenge we have taken inspiration from the way the UK has recently come together in support of the NHS putting rainbow signs of support in windows across the country.
When thinking about artistic content a window provides an instant frame and dual perspective - will you look inside or outside? In addition windows offer artists the opportunity to explore optical illusions and play with shadow at different times of the day!
Your challenge is to turn a window into a piece of art!
- Make sure you ask permission – the window doesn’t have to be big!
- And, use temporary materials – those which can be removed without damage!
Additional Resources
Interested in exploring more topics in preparation for the start of college in September? Take a look at the resources below!
Six graduates are challenged to create a work of art following the rules of the Bauhaus. Contains some strong language.
Take a look at these fascinating documentaries focusing on Museums/Art collections during quarantine. Here.
Are you a Netflix subscriber? Why not explore the abstract world of Art and Design. Here.
Prefer to read? Your lecturers have suggested the following materials;
- Ways of seeing – John Berger - here.
- 100 Ideas that Changed Art/Fashion/Photography/Design/Architecture/Film/Street Style - fascinating collection of books by a variety of authors.
Explore this online gallery, available here.
The TATE web page has a variety of resources for budding artists take a look here.
Keen to develop further? Why not try one or two of the activities below;
- Keep a drawing diary – try to make quick drawing each day.
- Look for an on-line exhibition, arts site or view a creative documentary. Find out information about the most innovative artist or designer you can find – consider why you connected with their work, what makes them innovative
- Consider your ambition – what is it that you want to do in the future – investigate and find out about options which motivates and inspires you to succeed.
- Think about the world around you – find an article of current news, read it, learn, form an opinion which you would want to share with others.
The Open University has a variety of free online courses available in an array of different subjects. Take a look at the catalogue here and explore the different course topics available. In addition, Coursera and Future Learn have various programs available.
You could also investigate the courses offered at the EtonX web page; please note these are paid for programmes that your current school may have access to so please check with them and back here regularly for updates.
Interested in Art History? Take a look at this article to learn more. Here.
Student wellbeing and support
At Andover College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible.
We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including;
- Counselling
- Carer support
- Childcare support
- Confidential one-to-one services
We have also recently introduced two new members to the wellbeing team ... Arlo and Romeo the Therapy Dogs!
Arlo and Romeo are part of the continued effort from Andover College to consistently improve on and add to provisions for students. They are based on campus with their owners throughout term.
Research has shown that students are significantly less stressed and anxious, and even have increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present. What good boys!
Our Courses:
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (1 Year)
Meet the lecturer!
"Hi! My name is Charmaine Cook, and I am the Course Leader for Foundation Art & Design. My practice explores a wide range of materials and issues, primarily through performance, photography and print."
"I teach on the Visual Communication programme, delivering workshops in photography, graphics and print. I also work alongside Pete Hearn, who delivers Film & Animation. Carlie Windows leads the 3D programme, mastering materials and making for art & design. Richard Barnfather leads the 2D Fine Art programme, incorporating experimental drawing and painting workshops. The course is supported by Kimvi Nguyen, a practising fine artist with a wealth of experience in the visual arts."
Charmaine is also supported by the department technician Kimvi (below)
In the News!
Kimvi Nguyen, Andover College Art Technician Instructor, featured on episode 4 (Monday 18 May) of Grayson’s Art Show, on Channel 4.
Kimvi and her partner Vinny Montag submitted their work which was chosen for last night’s episode. The theme for last night’s episode was ‘view from my window’.
Kimvi said: “Instead of painting the view from our window, we thought ‘what has been our window throughout the lockdown?’. We realised it had been the view inside our fridge. We went with this idea as we had been constantly opening and shutting our fridge door to reveal the ever changing landscape of our diet, illuminated every time. We worked with a time restraint of an hour to create our submission and the final piece was made from pieces of a bed frame and a bedsheet which we constructed as a curtained window inside our fridge."
Grayson announced on the show last night that Kimvi and Vinny’s work will be displayed in his exhibition which will be created once lockdown is over. He chose their work as he thought it was a ‘beautiful and successful gesture’. It was also a fantastic birthday present for Kimvi! The Art Club Exhibition is being put together as a lasting artistic record of how people have felt together through these strange times together.
We wish Kimvi and Vinny the best of luck with the exhibition. You can watch the full episode here.
Follow our art lecturers on Instagram to keep up with the creative content and inspiration – @kimvi_nguyen, @h_talks_creative_making, @carlie_creative_lecturer and @andovercollege_graphics
Foundation Art & Design WK 1 Task Download
Foundation Art & Design WK 2 Task Download
Foundation Art & Design WK 3 Task Download
Careers Guidance
Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college.
Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Andover College!
We also have our Sun Progression Mentor Anna!
Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education!
We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna!
Social Media
We love to post about all our students on our platforms including their achievements, trips and excellent work - take a look at some of the highlights below and make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!
Not already applied?
Got this link but not yet applied? – Click below so you can join us in September!