Subject Intent: Why Digital Design and Commercial Photography?
See portfolio guidance HERE.
UAL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Visual Arts
UAL is an Awarding Body that designs courses to meet the gap in current creative education and employment, to empower, support and inspire young people to reach their potential in the creative sector.
The creative industries are currently one of the fastest growing in the UK, this professional based course aims to develop students’ ability to develop industry skills and practice within the digital arts, specifically commercial photography and digital design.
Students will be expected to work to a brief and produce exciting commercially driven work independently and collaboratively. The course covers a range of industry-based skills, where students’ can push their understanding of how creativity is used within the workplace. Students are able to enrol on this course alongside any other Visual Arts A-levels including Graphic Design and Photography.
What will I study?
Over the course, you may study topics and skills such as:
- Adobe CC (Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator).
- Digital photography; the functions of a digital camera.
- Studio and location photography.
- Flash and lighting.
- Composition and layout.
- Colour and typography theory.
- Branding and logo design.
- Social media and marketing.
- Editorial design.
- Experimental image editing and manipulation.
- Creative business and freelancing skills.
- Visual and contextual research.
- Idea generation and working to a set brief.
- Critiquing your own work and that of others.
Digital Design and Commercial Photography
Please note: Subject videos have been filmed from colleges across our Trust.
What are lessons like in this subject?
In Year 12, the course is structured to develop a variety of skills in both digital design and photography. In Year 13, you will specialise and develop one personal and in-depth body of work. Students are encouraged to develop their skills in research, problem solving, collaboration, independent thinking, professionalism and marketing. Students will also understand the potential of self-employment and creative entrepreneurship. Students could expect to continue into professions such as marketing and communications, graphic design, digital media production, games design, photography, art-working or retouching, and more.
The Visual Arts department has professional standard spaces with Apple Macs, drawing tablets, a photography studio, DSLR cameras and other equipment for student use. It also has a wide variety of other arts-based specialist equipment to encourage students to explore multidisciplinary techniques. We operate an ‘open door’ policy to allow students to use the equipment and studio spaces independently outside of lessons.
What our
students
I learn a variety of different ways to apply techniques to fit certain briefs in order to cater to certain audiences. I learn many values of composition and my teacher constantly helps me apply them.
Kaycee Ley, Ash Hill Academy
