Assessment 1: Practical Portfolio
You will produce a portfolio of practical work developed through studio workshops and guided creative exercises. This portfolio will demonstrate experimentation with materials, tools, and techniques across art, design, media, and/or sound. You will evidence safe working practices, creative exploration, and developing technical confidence. The portfolio may include analogue and digital outcomes, supported by introductory documentation of your creative process. Emphasis is placed on exploration, engagement, and willingness to test ideas rather than polished final outcomes.

Assessment 2: Reflective Journal
You will maintain a reflective journal that documents your creative development, studio experiences, and learning across the module. The journal should include short reflections on experimentation, feedback received, challenges encountered, and skills developed. You will be encouraged to reflect on your growing confidence, independent working habits, and understanding of creative processes. The journal may be submitted in written and visual or audio and visual and should demonstrate emerging reflective practice appropriate to Level 3 study.

Option 1: Written reflection with supporting visuals – word count 900
Option 2: Audio recording with image folder – 3-5 mins
Option 3: Video reflection with supporting visuals – 3-5 mins

Formative Assessment:
Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

- Introduction to creative studio practices across art, design, media, and sound
- Exploration of introductory materials, tools, and techniques (analogue and digital)
- Safe working practices and workshop inductions
- Experimentation through short, low-risk creative exercises
- Introduction to visual, audio, and time-based creative processes
- Developing creative confidence through making and play
- Introduction to critique, feedback, and discussing work informally
- Introductory digital skills for creative production (file management, formats, export)
- Introduction to documenting work for portfolios - Developing routines for independent studio working

1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge, skills, and techniques relevant to creative industries, applying these in practical tasks.

Programme Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding

2. Use digital tools and processes to support the development and presentation of creative work.

Programme Learning Outcome: Digital Literacy

3. Apply problem-solving skills to experiment with materials, methods, and ideas in response to set challenges.

Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem Solving

4. Reflect on your developing creative skills and identify areas for improvement.

Programme Learning Outcome: Reflection

Sessions will include:
Lectures
Workshop/ Lab/ Studio activities
Seminar discussions
Tutorials
Drop-in support sessions

- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Media Store
- Betty Smithers Design collection

Edwards, B. (2001) The new drawing on the right side of the brain: A comprehensive drawing guide to unleash your artistic potential. New York: Tarcher/Putnam.

Etherington, L. (2021) How to think when you draw. Bournemouth: Bourne Digital.

Morrill, R., Melick, T. and Rattee, K. (2019) Vitamin P: New perspectives in painting. London: Phaidon Press.

Müller, J. (2018) The history of graphic design. Vol. 2, 1960–today. Cologne: Taschen.

Wilson, K. (2017) Drawing and painting. London: Thames & Hudson.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

This module introduces you to the core practical skills, tools, and studio habits used across creative disciplines. You will experiment with materials, techniques, digital tools, and processes through guided workshops and practical tasks. Emphasis is placed on exploration, safe studio practice, and learning through doing. By building a foundational portfolio and developing reflective habits, this module prepares you for more independent creative work and progression into undergraduate study.