Vocational Academy - Art, Design and Media
Opportunities in the North West
Outside London, the North West enjoys one of the largest concentrations of art, design and media businesses in the UK. Many of these are based in nearby Manchester and Liverpool, but with the creative industries central to Blackpool’s multi-million pound redevelopment, Blackpool is emerging as a key creative centre in its own right. We were recently involved in the development by Blackpool Council of the town’s first creative industries hub – FYC – which helps new graduates to start up their own creative businesses. As Blackpool’s vision begins to be fully realised, even more opportunities will be created.
Our art, photography, fashion and design courses are all taught in our stand-alone Art, Fashion and Design Centre on Park Road with its own parking and refectory. Media is taught at the University Centre on Palatine Road.
What course should you do
Entry Level/Level 1
If you have not completed a GCSE programme
Level 2
If you have 4 GCSEs at grade D or above, including English Language or a merit grade at First Certificate or Introductory Diploma, along with examples of your work
- Art and Design – BTEC Level 2 Diploma
- Media – BTEC Level 2 Diploma
Level 3
If you have 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English Language or a merit grade at First Diploma (eg BTEC) and an English GCSE
You will also need a portfolio of your work
- Art and Design – BTEC Level 3 Diploma
- Graphic Design – BTEC Level 3 Diploma
- Photography – BTEC Level 3 Diploma
- Fashion and Clothing – BTEC Level 3 Diploma
- Media – BTEC Level 3 Diploma
Levels 3/4
If you have 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English Language, plus one A Level pass or National Diploma and a portfolio of recent work.
- Art and Design – Diploma in Foundation Studies
Career Low-Down
Below are just a few of the art, design and media careers open to you. In many areas, junior roles are available but studying for a relevant degree generally leads to more responsible roles and greater opportunities. If you want to teach in any of these areas you will also need to do a postgraduate qualification.
| Career area | What they do | How much they earn |
|---|---|---|
| Designer | Anything from computer games design and packaging to websites, magazines and interiors. Products must be visually appealing as well as functional. There may be an environmental impact too. | £18,000 to £75,000 |
| Artist | Produce original pieces that can be privately commissioned or for display in public spaces. Some artists also work in arts administration, organising events, or as curators in art galleries and museums. | £14,000 to £40,000 |
| Craftsperson | Use both traditional and modern techniques to produce everything from bespoke furniture to props for films and the theatre. Examples of more specific work include engraving, ceramics and model-making. | £10,000 to £42,000 |
| Photographer | Work in lots of different industries: advertising, sport, social and documentary photography, photo-journalism, travel and fashion. They may specialise in an area such as wildlife or food. | £12,000 to £50,000 |
| Graphic Designer | Produce eye-catching work designed to attract attention and communicate client messages effectively. Specialisms include advertising, marketing, packaging, illustration, animation, web design and print. | £11,000 to £65,000 |
| Fashion/Clothing Designer | Design clothes, fabrics, accessories and shoes. Some make expensive one-off pieces, others create mass-market designs. Designers may also specialise in a particular area or product – think Jimmy Choo or Philip Treacy! | £13,000 to £60,000 |
| Film/TV Producer | Responsible for pulling all the different strands of a media production together. They manage the production from start to finish and ensure that it has the potential for commercial success. | £15,000 to over £75,000 |
| Studio Production Assistant | The administrative, organisational and secretarial work involved in a production. This job is often the first rung on the ladder for many people in the TV and film industries. | £16,000 to over £25,000 |
Meet the learner
Name: Emily Eccles
Age: 18
High school: St Bede’s
Course: National Diploma – Art and Design – Fashion and Clothing
Why College?
I chose the National Diploma over A Levels as it was more specific to the career I wanted to pursue. Also, College seemed to have an exciting and lively atmosphere.
The course?
It offers lots of innovative projects – highlights have included fashion shows and photo shoots, the Windsock project and the Shoe Salon installation in Blackpool Library
What’s good?
The tutors are very caring and have spurred me on to become a creative, forward thinker capable of generating lots of new ideas.
What’s next?
I’m going to university. Having a unit on the course specifically designed to help you decide what to do next was really helpful.
