Foundation Art: some advice

I studied Foundation Art in 2005, at London Guildhall Uni, now London Met. Every now and then, people ask me about it, so I thought I'd let y'all know. This information was definitely good in 2003.

Foundation lasts a (university) year. The idea is to try as much stuff as possible, to get an idea what you might want to do as a degree.

The courses are very variable, but mine was like this:

• 4 days a week.
• Of those, Wednesday is always for learning a skill, like how to develop your own photos, how to make prints, etc.
• Fridays off, go to galleries.

• At the start of the year, you get one two-day project (Monday and Tuesday) and one one-day project (Thursday). The projects give you a reasonably broad base, but there's plenty of opportunity for expression and individuality. They ranged from 'draw whatever you like all over the walls' to 'play consequences, then illustrate a six-page book on the results'.
• After a while, you get week long projects. Still with briefs.
• After Christmas, you get month long projects with no brief, or a very broad/minimal brief. They want you to start choosing a discipline and working in that. If you want to be an animator, make animations, etc.
• After Easter, you have to do one enormous project on your own material. This is all that is assessed.
• The teaching is as and when you ask for it, especially further on in the year.

If you are interested in Foundation, look into the following:

• TEACHERS:PUPILS ratio. This is super important.
• Teaching style. I really enjoyed everything about London Met. From what I have heard, at Camberwell (good reputation) there was less teaching, and they started on month-long projects. I got the impression it was a lot less fun. At Central St. Martins (really good reputation) I heard the teaching was non-existant. The open-day gives you an air of arrogance and disinterest. On the other hand, I think I might've learnt more from bouncing ideas off the people I studied with, than from the teachers! In this way, maybe the well-regarded colleges will be best, as they should attract the most talented pupils.
• Particular subject focus. For example, Ravensbourne is where you go for fashion. The London College of Printing, for print-making. Duh. If you want to do a degree afterwards, you might want to consider this.
• A portfolio. You'll need one to get in. It doesn't have to be extensive, but should include a sketchbook, some finished looking stuff, and some of the in-between work, that looks kind of messy but shows your explorative side. They like people who try lots of different media and ideas. Your portfolio will look better with selected things rather than everything you've ever done. Lots of A-level stuff is OK, but show you've not neglected art in the interim time.
• About nine hundred quid in fees.

Application:

• For application in London, get an application form from one of the London colleges. The form lists all the places you can study.
• When you choose, you give an order of preference. Before you choose, ask your choices if they resent being not first choice. For example, Central St. Martins will only take you as a first choice applicant.
• Before you apply, visit lots of places. Try and talk to the students themselves about what they think and the style of teaching (if you get taught at all). You could also consider other places. I think London is most exciting from a galleries and events point of view. One place that is a complete break from the norm is Falmouth. It's down in Cornwall and very beautiful. Lots of artists live there for the light- good if you're into traditional drawing/painting.

Why do Foundation?

• It's really fun and broad.
• You get to try loads of things.
• The pressure is pretty low, at least before the final project.

Good luck!