Art and design: Overview:- Qualifications, Job prospects, Top degrees to pursue
WHAT’S ART AND DESIGN?
Any product of creative human activity can be defined as art. Art and design education is the study of visual thinking which includes design, visual communication, visual culture and fine/studio art. Most popular ones are the visual arts like painting and sculpture. Design is initial planning, preparation of something great that could happen in the form of art. The creation of ideas, their blossoming is as important as the final strokes of perfection added to a masterpiece.
Some courses for art and design include----
- Design studies
- Fine arts
Starting from history to sculpture and theatre to fashion, there are many areas one can study in an art and design degree course. Skills you will develop during an art and design course include good imagination, creative thinking, problem solving ability, better coordination and communication, power of expression of ideas. Many universities give a chance to study abroad as part of the course whether the duration is one term or a whole year. It helps to broaden one’s skills and knowledge and gives an opportunity to live and learn from anywhere. There are a range of occupations graduates can enter in this field. From illustration to TV production, teaching, museum curating, art and design field is not at all low vocational.
ARE ART AND DESIGN THE SAME THING?
Art and design both involve composition using visual and physical means. Art is said to act on the mind while design acts on reality. Design solves problems, it is the way the world needs to function based on reality grounds. Art shows problems and invites people to consider ideas beyond reality.
WHY IS ART AND CRAFT IMPORTANT?
Art and craft is important because having experience in these sectors enables the people pursuing this field to learn how to reflect critically on their own and other’s works. It gives children, young people and lifelong learners with regular opportunities to think creatively, with deep imagination and develop confidence in many other subjects and life skills. Art and design is a way to express this world, life, happenings, events by being creative through sketches, paintings and many other ways which gives life another beautiful angle to look at itself and which generates added interest in living up, doing mundane things more creatively, making learners know more and add some fun to everything.
MEANING OF GOOD DESIGN IN ART
Good design is not just what looks good to all. It needs to perform, impact, influence and complete its purpose. It should be innovative in multiple ways. It cannot be measured by anyone as being good or bad in a finite way, there are bound to be multiple perspectives.
DO WE NEED ART?
Art reflects cultural values, beliefs and helps to preserve the different communities making up our world. Art depicts our own life and experiences over time. We need art to understand and share our individual and shared history. Art in any form lifts up the spirit and emotions of people making them driven and ready to face their lives smartly. We are surrounded by art in many ways via painting, music or videos which have a huge impact on our moods and emotions.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES AS AN ART AND DESIGN GRADUATE
Having the right skills and talent as an art and design graduate can take one up to many exciting career opportunities. Some job roles are community worker, fashion and graphic designer, illustrator, textile manufacturer, advertising executive, multimedia worker and museum curator.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED?
One may be selected based on GCSE scores and A levels. Some courses may need a foundation diploma in the subject area and some may include a foundation year as part of a longer undergraduate course.
DEGREES TO STUDY?
1.BA Art and Design
2.BA History,Communication and Curation
3.Bsc Creative Technology
4.BA Fashion
EXAMPLES OF MODULES IN THE COURSE
1.History of art
2.Fine art
3.Sculpture
4.Fashion Design
5.Garden Art
6.Exhibitions
7.Media Studies
8.Graphic Design
9.Musical and Theatre Art
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The primary criteria for assessment is through coursework. There will be theory based modules which will have essays and in some cases there may also be presentations, written exams and practical observations.
POSTGRADUATE OPPORTUNITIES
There are research degrees like MA's in Advertising, Animation, Arts Journalism, Design Management, Game Design, Documentary, Graphic Branding and Media Design, Illustration, Photography, Photojournalism, Art Directors, Craft and Fine Arts, Fashion Designers, Floral Designers, Industrial Designers, Interior Designers, Jewellery Designers, Set and Exhibit Designers.
THE TOP DEGREES FOR CREATIVE FOLKS
1.Architect
2.Art Director/Graphic Designer
3.Environmental Engineer
4.Game Design
5.Instructional Design
6.Multimedia Design/Animation
7.Occupational Therapy
8.Literature And Arts Education
9.Urban Planner
10.Web Design
11.Fashion Designers
12.Floral Designers
13.Industrial Designers
14.Interior Designers
15.Jewellery Designers
16.Multimedia Artists and Animators
17.Set and Exhibit Designers
The world of art and design is dynamic. The range of art and design careers give many opportunities for about every person with a creative knack. Today about every sector needs people with art and design knowledge for their rewarding niche roles. The people in these fields use their creative skills to communicate their client’s message. This sector can be quite competitive with the need for technical skills too. Freelance artists who sell their artwork benefit from more of the artistic freedom, flexible time schedule and the ability to select their projects. They also manage their finances, marketing and public relations.
CONCLUSION
Art and design is a very promising course provided you have the zeal, the dedication and spirits to pursue it, focus on it and make it your career. Today, it is a requirement in every sector and is a special field in itself, a bit different from others as it takes one closer to life and living, giving a lot of enriching experience and making one develop the creative and observant eye for life. One can never say that it is a less accountable course than any other. It gives a good salary, interesting opportunities and lot of fun along the way if one would want to establish his or her career in it.