The intensive Foundation in Art and Design (iFAD) is a unique course, developed so you can progress directly to relative visual arts and design undergraduate degrees in just 12 weeks.

iFAD is also a progression route onto our BSc Architectural Technology https://www.mdx.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/architectural-technology degree.

Why study the intensive Foundation in Art and Design at Middlesex University?

The intensive Foundation in Art and Design offers a short, creative and diagnostic approach to starting a career in visual arts or design. You may have a good idea of what you want to do, but you are looking for more hands on experience. You may have no idea of what you want to do but just know that it has to be in a creative environment.

Our course is ideal if you are:

• An A Level student looking to combine your preparation for an arts based degree with a gap year or to gain experience before progressing to a degree in the same year
• A mature student interested in working in a creative role or developing your artistic skills

Course highlights

• Completion of the iFAD guarantees you a place on a Middlesex University visual arts or design degree
• You can complete the course in just 12 weeks, which means you can easily combine the course with a gap year
• You will have a dedicated work space in our iFAD studio, with one-on-one tuition every day, five days a week, from academics who bring with them a wealth of industry experience
• Our projects are tailored to suit individual needs alongside group activities - our small group sizes combined with high staffing ratios allow for a very personal and individual approach
• Middlesex University is renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities – you will have full access to a variety of specialist, industry standard equipment
• iFAD offers you a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with studying at Middlesex ahead of starting your degree and to gain an early insight into the ethos behind our Art and Design courses
• As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

What will you study on the intensive Foundation in Art and Design?

Our course is divided into four phases: Introduction, Diagnostic, Pathway and Presentation.

Introduction
The course starts with a series of workshops including learning resources, reprographics, photography, media, 3D, wood, metal, plastics and ceramics, and life drawing (which continues throughout the programme). This will give you the knowledge to use our facilities effectively and confidently.

Diagnostic
In the diagnostic phase you will be encouraged to explore and experiment in unfamiliar areas so you can make an informed and appropriate choice of undergraduate programme. The diagnostic phase varies in length depending on individual needs. During this period you will be introduced to methods of visual research, combined with drawing exercises and colour theory.

Pathway
This phase enables you to consolidate your chosen pathway through personal project work negotiated with your tutors.

Presentation
At the end of the programme you will review your portfolio and select work for presentation and public exhibition.

Throughout the course, most of your time will be spent in the dedicated iFAD studio, working on a variety of tasks and projects, as well as using specialist workshops and resources. We also provide weekly drawing sessions and contextual study field trips in and around London, visiting a number of museums, galleries and exhibitions.

How is the intensive Foundation in Art and Design taught?

iFAD is a challenging course that rewards dedication and commitment. You will build up and be assessed on a body of work that demonstrates your particular skills, creativity and interests.

A process of continual review, combined with tutorials and self assessment, is used to monitor and evaluate your progress, helping you make day to day decisions about your work as well as providing guidance on your final BA choice.

We ask you to indicate the specialist degree course you are interested in before you start, which reserves you a conditional place, but this can be changed if you, in discussion with your tutors, feel it would be appropriate.

Our philosophy

The need to explore and experiment in art and design has long been seen as a necessary part of making an informed decision when making career choices. iFAD, with its broad diagnostic approach, fills this need.

You will be encouraged to leave behind preconceptions and learn to play with your imagination, accepting that a mistake might be the one thing that leads to success and to make connections and associations that would otherwise be lost.

Being part of a group of students with widely varying interests adds to the group dynamic. For instance a potential student of Interior Architecture, perhaps, in working alongside and with a graphic designer or photographer will result in the cross - fertilisation of ideas and fresh lines of visual enquiry, arriving at unique and often surprising conclusions.

The reawakening of the imagination provides a new perspective into where an individual's creativity can lead. Without the confines of an examination, accidents and mistakes can lead to results as positive and successful as those from intended exploration; Projects can also be unproductive in terms of conclusion but rich in knowledge and understanding.

How can the intensive Foundation in Art and Design support your career?

You can pursue a broad range of careers in the field of visual arts and design. Successful completion of this course prepares you to study on one of the following degree courses at Middlesex University:

• 3D Animation and Games BA Honours
• Animation BA Honours
• Design Crafts BA Honours
• Fine Art BA Honours
• Graphic Design BA Honours
• Illustration BA Honours
• Interior Architecture BA Honours
• Interior Design BA Honours
• Photography BA Honours