I want to show the beauty and detail in objects that we often miss due to not being interested enough to look and just miss the details or we can’t see the subject’s detail fully with just the human eye. I wanted to pick a topic to photograph that is somewhat relevant to today, so I chose the topics of nature and household objects. This is because, due of Covid, we have all been trapped in doors for months and everyone is trying to find ways to cope with this and their mental health, so a lot of people have turned to nature. Being locked in isolation all year has made people appreciate the smaller things in life, so I wanted to capture this through the lens of a camera.
Students have been engaged in the production of media content for skills development in Script Writing, Cinematography and Video Editing. They have researched, planned and produced videos for various projects, including exploring a narrative theme, The Box and TV advert production for Sony products. Students also explored the theme of ‘Identity’ where they drew upon how they feel about their own image, their ethnicity, their social groupings and their personal tastes. They then planned and produced a series of short films based on this.
The standard of work has been excellent, with students adapting to the restrictions presented by lockdown with limited access to locations and actors, and team work being adversely affected. However, all students have proved themselves to be able to work independently and use their initiative in making good out of a difficult situation.
The work produced this year shows genuine creativity and imaginative uses of available resources.
Stuart McConnell, media tutor
Over the course of this last year, I have developed a deeper understanding and a true passion for portraiture. This is now something that I want to go into professionally. In this selection, I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone to try self-portraiture.
Using a range of different lighting, from natural sunlight to the studio lights, I have been able to work and experiment with multiple styles of lighting and how they overall affect the final image. Some of my images offer a ‘story telling’ element, for example, the photograph of the adult looking at the barbie doll was from my final project and was part of a theme of work titled “Childhood Influences”.
My work over this last year has slowly begun to develop, along with a new sense of confidence and I wanted to be able to choose images which reflected these statements.
It is fair to say that Extended Diploma Art & Design has its challenges. No one could have anticipated the impact Covid would have on the last two years. The students on the second year Extended Diploma art and design have embraced this challenge with creativity, imagination, determination and good spirits. Having experienced a significant part of their first year with limited access to studios and equipment, they tackled industry-level project briefs using whatever materials and resources they had at home. The second year began with the hope that they might explore their creative pathways accessing the full college’s facilities. Lo and behold they went back into lockdown at what is often the most crucial point in their creative journey. It was heartening to see them continue undeterred and produce their university portfolios and coursework with little change in pace. Much of the last few months has been conducted in preparing them for the first professional exhibitions. They ably demonstrated that they could produce and exhibit work commencing with the entirely digital Silent Gallery. Returning to the studio they then had a very short space of time to conceive, produce and exhibit their first physical show despite the fact there was every chance the public would never be able to see it in person. This did not dissuade them from producing imaginative and thought-provoking pieces, showcasing the creative resilience and professionalism they have developed in these atypical times. It is testament to the dedication that the following work can at least be enjoyed in the digital realm.
We are delighted once again this year to have had Hereford College of Art support our learners’ progression into HE via their ‘One To Watch’ initiative. Tutors from their Fine Art, Graphics, Photography and Fashion/Textiles areas have judged entries from our corresponding courses and awarded those learners whose work shows potential for excellence beyond FE. Look out for the banners next to the recipients’ work who will also receive a book for their efforts. This recognition undoubtedly motivates learners to aspire to greater things.
Martin Doyle, lecturer, visual arts
Interior design of a spacious living room, home space. Targeted at those who love a spacious and comfortable living space with cultural, modern/contemporary design. I am interested in marbling and repeat work.
The passing of time and events are constant and is not altered for anyone. No one gets more or less time.
You will never truly understand someone’s internal emotions
We reflect ourselves on time which makes us regret afterwards that we dont have time to fulfil our small or big requests. As time passes we think about what we done in the past and how can we improve in the future but never do anything properly in the present.
The way we see ourselves can be distorted, different to what others see and media can have a negative effect on this.
This is my interpretation of Alice in Wonderland where the characters are on a tablecloth along with home-made scented candles that I feel remind me of these characters and the story in general.
Researching into adverts and the reality behind them inspired this range of clothing graphics for ‘Inverse’ – a new brand that celebrates both new and old.
What do people use to escape reality? With stress being a main point, most people try to escape by using things such as Music, Art or books.
The fear of trusting others.
My work is about showing the beauty of the world that we continue to destroy everyday through simple things. It raises awareness for all ages to get involved and learn how we can make a change. Because as Sylvia Earle said “Start with someone. Some “one.” And no one can do everything but everyone can do something”.
From a shamanistic practice within the roots of both love and war, to now modern times it’s always been a show of self-expression.
I want to create a piece of work about the idea that no matter how small or insignificant a controversial topic may seem to some people it can completely change your perception of a person. I want people who view my piece to have a moment ambiguity and to challenge their own thoughts and develop new ways of thinking.
As an interior designer, I want to push the ‘scare maze / tour’ to a different level.
I’m learning to fall in love with the twilight, spent a lifetime trying to.
For my project I looked at drag queens, taking into consideration the culture of Hawaii and how ‘mahu’ (the third gender) could be the future of drag.
Similarly to Muppet style characters in media, I have created a mascot to teach young children the creative side of recycling and how it helps the environment. Clutter, the Gryphon!
What if you over-thought until you can’t distinguish assumptions from reality? The lines between the real world and a fictitious world conjured from your mind becomes blurred. When you lose touch with the reality around you, the atmosphere can become sinister; plaguing your thoughts and emotions.
“Those kids with their spray paint, God love ’em” A physical demonstration of trashy teenage rebellion & the ageing process.
What we do impacts the ocean
Set in the near future of 20XX, Morgan escapes to a world which they consider their perfect world
A short film exploring how a sense of uneasiness can be achieved through sound and visuals. The character explores a forest that has a strange aura, causing him to get increasingly more paranoid as the film continues.
Translating to “House of books”, the design is a reminder of where society began and that knowledge and learning are part of our fundamental growth as humans.
My work is a visual representation of anxiety, and how it can feel isolating and take over your mind.
Developing my art skills to help me get better with my future in becoming a concept artist.
What you wear never justifies ‘asking for it’.
In the style of Kirigami, I have created a piece that combines the spiritual meaning of the Pegasus with the peacefulness and creative freedom that making an Origami piece provides.
I want spread awareness of what anger is like in a creative way. Anger issues can cause severe mood swings and you can go from really angry to really happy quickly, I want to use masks to show this.
Currency’s deplete. Memories made. Human nature undefined. Built on others.
In this project I worked to achieve a proposal / 3D model design for a living studio space. The reason why I chose a studio space is because when searching for a studio apartment online the square footage size is very miniature with almost no room to move around.
Panic attacks suck. Simple as. They are humiliating and painful. For me my breathing speeds up and my heartbeat becomes all I can hear.
How do you build a computer game from the ground up? This course shows you how.
The work showcased demonstrates how young designers and artists at Dudley College have challenged the parameters of game design to present original and imaginative solutions for 2D and 3D game outcomes. Learners are challenged to ‘think outside of the box’ to explore and question conventions within the world of games design. The course provides learners with the opportunity to creatively develop dynamic conceptual outcomes, while working with industry-standard design and production applications.
Students produce a wide range of game related ideas, from creating and developing proposals for intriguing game play and challenging game mechanics, to learning how to visualise, design and build digital characters for game deployment. The learners also get the opportunity to imaginatively craft and sculpt 3D environments and worlds. The use of industry-standard software is at the core of what we offer.
Programmes such as 3D Studio Max, Unreal Engine 4, World Machine, Mudbox, Z Brush, Qiuixel Suite, Crazy Bump, Visual Studio, GameMaker Studio are embedded throughout the projects our learners undertake. As part of the creative aspect of the course, we encourage our learners to become keen practitioners in areas of conceptual illustration, using applications such as Photoshop and Sketchbook to visually portray aspects of their imagination. I hope that you enjoy viewing and watching examples of their work.
Who knows? In a few years, you could be playing one of their games . . .
John Jones, Computer Games Design Course Tutor
Although ‘Covid’ has had an impact on much of the curriculum, our Graphic Design students have continued with their studies using Adobe Creative Suite at home during periods of lockdown. Dudley College has made sure that all art students have access to Adobe software for the duration of their course in order to support their studies both in college and at home. The work on show here is just a snapshot of some of the work produced over the past two years. While our students are taught digital skills, they also learn traditional art and design skills in order to develop a broad portfolio of art and design for their progression onto higher education. Some of our recent students have gone on to study at degree level in subject areas such as visual communication or graphic design, but also illustration, animation, fashion illustration, automotive design, architecture, interior architecture, jewellery design, digital media, and many other creative pathways.
Over the past few months all our students who made university applications were accepted (as usual), and generally on their first choice. Some have chosen to begin their studies at degree level, and others have decided to stay on at Dudley College for a Foundation Year. Well done all – it’s been great working with you. Good luck for the future.
Paul Oldnall, graphics tutor
