Booking
Your place on this course is reserved by Bookings and included in your original FDAD course fee. Please put the dates in your diary and allow for extra time to complete the tasks. It is ideally your tenth and final course, or you will have completed a minimum of seven courses before the start date. If you have any questions, please contact the Programme Coordinator. Priority is given to your cohort, but students from other FDAD intake groups may join your course, subject to availability. If you wish to book an earlier Project Brief Course to graduate early, you can.
About the Course
The course is released online on 18 May 2026 for self-study, and the first live participation session is on Zoom on 1 June 2026.
Course Description
A structured approach to developing visual and critical research skills to inform and create your own artistic response to a set brief. From an initial idea, use drawing, mapping, primary and secondary sources, reflection, and review, to find your focus enquiry and final artwork. You will be given guidance on how to present and review the work.
Course content includes videos, slide presentations and PDFs with clear guidance given on the tasks to complete each week, and the date to complete the work. Students share developing work via Padlet and receive feedback.
By the end of the course, you will have evolved a list of sources, identified relevant artists, influencers, lines of enquiry and completed a project plan. You will have presented and received feedback on work in progress, and direction to complete your final piece of work and how it may be presented. You will have gained confidence in independent study, identified subjects and materials that focus your practice. The final piece will be an original work supported by critical analysis and a rich body of development studies, adding to your portfolio.
Timetable
The course is released on Moodle on the start date, giving you access to the first self-study module and course information. There is no live session on this date. The live sessions with tutor/s take place on Zoom on the following dates:
- 1 June, 9am: Student presentations
- 8 June, 9am: Group tutorial
- 15 June, from 9am: 30 min individual tutorial, times to be confirmed on Moodle.
- 29 June, 5pm: Students submit project brief coursework for tutor feedback
(NB all times will be confirmed on Moodle at the start of the course. Group presentations/tutorials are usually 2.5hrs but vary depending on the size of the group.)
- Week 1: Introduction, starting points, reflection, mapping
- Week 2: Contextual research & student presentations
- Week 3: Visual research & group tutorials
- Week 4: Develop the work with individual tutorials
- Week 5: Refine & resolve
- Week 6: Statement and submit work for feedback
Technology
Moodle
The course content is released each week on Moodle.
Zoom
Live sessions take place on Zoom. All the links are provided on the Project Brief Course page on Moodle at the start of the course.
Padlet
A gallery for students to post images of their coursework. Padlet is chosen because it is the easiest to learn to use, it is visual making it easy to see the work. Students can make a free account.
PowerPoint
To present your work. If you don’t have a copy you can request access to PowerPoint as a current college student, please contact [email protected] with your request.
Timetable
The course is released on Moodle on the start date, giving you access to the first self-study module and course information. There is no live session on this date. The live sessions with tutor/s take place on Zoom on the following dates:
- 1 June, 9am: Student presentations
- 8 June, 9am: Group tutorial
- 15 June, from 9am: 30 min individual tutorial, times to be confirmed on Moodle.
- 29 June, 5pm: Students submit project brief coursework for tutor feedback
(NB all times will be confirmed on Moodle at the start of the course. Group presentations/tutorials are usually 2.5hrs but vary depending on the size of the group.)
- Week 1: Introduction, starting points, reflection, mapping
- Week 2: Contextual research & student presentations
- Week 3: Visual research & group tutorials
- Week 4: Develop the work with individual tutorials
- Week 5: Refine & resolve
- Week 6: Statement and submit work for feedback
Core Team Tutor - Foundation Diploma in Art and Design
Short Course Tutor
Rachel Larkins is a tutor on the FDAD program and has been teaching short courses at West Dean since 2017. Rachel holds a distinction level Masters in Sequential Design/ Illustration from Brighton University following an early training in Textile Art (BA Hons). Rachel's work encompasses drawing and narrative sculptures and is held in numerous private collections.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.