Course Resources Archive

This module provides students with the opportunity to self initiate and undertake a practical brief. It introduces students to the professional practices associated with the creative industries, specifically, working in the Arts, and/or Design and Media industries; and requires students to research, secure and undertake a period of work experience or industrial placement in a business or organization appropriate to the student’s field of study.

It should enable students to focus on an area of personal interest and the experience and outcomes may assist and inform decision-making for future progression and personal development at level III.

This module provides students with the opportunity to agree a plan of practical work with  tutor to assist in helping them develop their individual artistic practice.  The student may wish to explore a theme or concept initiated in a previous module or advance experience of working with particular materials or technologies.

This will also include researching the preparation for a placement period within an organization or business related to the creative industries appropriate to the student’s area of study.  The module will introduce lectures or master classes by visiting practitioners and business professionals and a number of practical workshops appropriate to self promotion, employability and further study.

The module allows students a certain freedom to initiate content and structure however individual negotiated learning agreements will be required and must include regular contact points with tutor to assess progress and assist in progression.  Areas of inquiry covered will include: seeking employment portfolio management, self and business promotion, networking, an introduction to setting up a business and freelance practice

Students will undertake a period of placement work in an organisation or with an individual appropriate to their discipline area – the placement could include working alongside a freelance designer, illustrator or photographer, working within the voluntary sector, with arts organizations, schools, galleries, hospitals, media organisations, publishers, advertising agencies etc. etc.

i)  Knowledge and Understanding
At the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
a) methodologies for communicating a plan and strategy for self initiated work to a third party;
b) have a sound knowledge and understanding of their personal attributes, skills and abilities as they relate to progression to employment or further study;
c) the historic and contemporary context of their work demonstrating methods of investigation and a level of enquiry appropriate to Level II;
d)the importance of self-motivation in the continued development of a sustained practice;
e) have an understanding of employment opportunities within the various branches of the creative industries and within voluntary organisations and the business structures, practices and roles as appropriate to the students’ discipline area.

ii Skills
By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate skills in:
a) undertaking responsibly the self initiated approach to setting a personal work programme
b) experimentation and testing of ideas within a fixed time constraint
c) verbal and written articulation of artistic and personal objectives including the observation and recording of working practices to provide a resource for future career planning
d) critical analysis of personal practice and progression.
e) self-management of a project and structuring of self-promotional material including the continuing development of their CV and skills portfolio.

Staff/Student contact (lectures, tutorials): approximately 20%  
Independent study: approximately 80%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.