The art and design industry is where creativity, talent and energy combine, offering a wide variety of careers. You will have the opportunity to study and develop skills in Art, Design, Fashion and Textiles and choose a specialist route to take in the future. We will help you to arrange a work placement in the industry so you can develop your employability skills, attitudes and behaviours that are expected in the workplace.
This course is accredited by UAL.
Topics covered can include:
You will need:
All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.
The course is assessed throughout the year and with an end-of-course portfolio.
If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.
Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.
This course will help you to move on to higher level courses such as our Level 3 courses, specialising in an area of art and design or fashion and communication.
Shirley Dixon is a creative practitioner with many years experience as an artist and designer-maker, since graduating from the Royal College of Art.
An advocate of lifelong learning, Shirley has taught in the Further Education sector for over 18 years and has facilitated workshops for art organisations in conjunction with her exhibited work.
Shirley regularly participates in open studios, open calls and art fairs. Her specialisms are Constructed Textiles and Fine Art: drawing, painting and printmaking.
Valentina joined Westminster Kingsway College in 2015, where she has been teaching Creative Media across the Digital Media department. In September 2023 she became the course leader of the Access to HE Creative Media course.
After completing her Diploma in Photography at Riccardo Bauer School of Photography of Milan, she moved to New York to progress her portfolio. This was a significant turning point – she discovered her passion for teaching, whilst working as a teacher assistant at the International Center of Photography, Upon returning to Italy, her home country, she worked for a variety of commissions including Grazia Neri Photo Pres Agency, Universal Music, Milano Film Festival and Pirelli P Zero Photo.
In 2006 she moved to London to start a Master's course in Documentary Photography at London College of Communication. From 2010 to 2014 she directed Fotosynthesis C.I.C., a non-profit organisation that uses participatory photography for positive social change.
In 2014 she undertook a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Greenwich. Valentina is currently working on an ongoing documentary project about an Irish traveller community-based in East London.
At Westminster Kingsway College she has been able to continue nurturing and developing her passion for teaching Creative Media, as a way to empower and give a voice to people.
Educator, Art Director, Illustrator, and Creative, Panicos is a skilled and passionate creative professional with an extensive background in the creative industries. Panico’s journey in the world of Art and Design has taken them from the vibrant creative hub of London to the diverse and culturally rich landscape of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Panicos hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of the Arts London, Camberwell College of Art and Design, which they completed in the years 2005 to 2008. Panicos also holds a PGSE at the Institute of Education from 2009-2010. This educational foundation has provided them with a strong and diverse skill set that they continue to draw upon.
As an Art Director, Panicos has had the opportunity to lead and inspire creative teams, steering projects to success and ensuring they align with the artistic vision and goals of an organisation. The role as an Illustrator has allowed Panicos to express their artistic creativity and storytelling abilities. Whether through digital or traditional mediums, Panicos has a deep appreciation for the power of visual communication and its ability to evoke emotion and convey complex ideas.
Presently, Panicos is associated with an internationally renowned company with offices in major creative hubs, including London, New York, Paris, Hamburg, and Shanghai. This global exposure has enriched their creative perspective and allowed them to collaborate with diverse talents from around the world.
Rachel teaches 3D Art and Design and Level 2 and 3 Art and Design courses in the well-equipped 3D workshop at Kings Cross. Rachel completed a Fine Art Degree at Cardiff Uni in the 90's specialising in sculpture.
Rachel went on to work within the creative industries across events, film, theatre, and TV. Later she started her inflatable design company; notably creating interactive breathing window displays for Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, the butterfly tunnel at London Zoo and her art installations.
She got into teaching by facilitating various workshops during artist residencies and visiting lecturer posts going on to complete an MA in Art and Design in Education at the Institute of Education London in 2013, Rachel achieved her PGCE in 2019.
She currently creates jewellery alongside teaching and brings her wealth of experience and creative passion to the classroom to engage students in experimental ways of working with a variety of sources and materials - including inflatables from time to time! Rachel enjoys helping build students’ portfolios with interior design and architectural models, product designs, public art, lighting and more.
Clare started off her career as a commercial painter, painting murals, frescoes and ‘Trompe’L’Oeil’ paintings. Commissions included Europe, The Middle East and The US. She started teaching Contextual Studies in Creative Media, and Art and Design. She then taught A Level Media Theory and is currently teaching Humanities (African and Caribbean studies) at Access Level, Study Skills also at Access Level (commercial and academic writing for Creative and Digital Media) and Art A Level and Art History.
She previously worked as Programme Leader for Broadcasting and Journalism at the University of West London for 8 years, where she was awarded an HEFA (Higher Education Fellowship Award) from the University of West London. She also has a BA in Combined Arts from Brighton University and a CELTA from the British Council Bogota.
Her industry experience includes presenting work for Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky, BBC, Carlton, and ITV. Film and documentary work for Channel 4, which includes an Award-winning documentary focusing on adoption called ‘The Colour of Love’, ‘Mission Divine’- a film based in India, and several ‘Travelogue’ films.
Appearances on Radio 4,5, LBC as well as being a freelance journalist, commissioned by The Guardian, The Observer, The Sunday and Financial Times, The Voice, The New Nation, Red Magazine, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, and a stint as editor for ‘Pride’ magazine.
The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.