Art Foundation courses

[Minitoots]

My son is interested in doing an art foundation course when he leaves school in a year's time. He thinks he'd eventually like to specialise in something like product design but is unsure exactly what at the moment.

We've been to Camberwell and Ravensbourne's foundation open days, and will be going to look at degree shows at CSM, Kingston and maybe Epsom and wondered if anyone has any more suggestions? If you or someone you know has done a foundation course, it'd be great to get some inside info as I think it's changed a lot since I was at art school a loooong time ago!

[pincushionqueen]

Chelsea College of Art-I went there (about 10 years ago) for foundation and degree courses in Fine Art and it was brilliant. I have popped in to look at their degree/MA shows almost every year since. I like the new building, next to Tate Britain, with everything under one roof. I think it is much better then when I was there- everything was in separate buildings miles away from each other!

[Crokes]

It's also worth looking at the Industrial Design degrees at Brunel, Loughborough and I think Newcastle(?). Further afield yes but all have great reputations for product design graduates and no need for the foundation degree first (at least there didn't used to be with those courses at Brunel and Loughborough).

Obviously involves specialising slightly earlier (but then I guess that's one year less in education) The one I did gave all students the option to come out with either a BA or BSc AND my peers have gone on to do a massive variety of creative vocations. Good luck to him!

[brezzo]

Doesn't his school have a careers adviser? Or at the very least, a switched on art teacher?

[mrs f]

CSM does a foundation too as to Chelsea I believe, although Chelsea are more fine art from what I remember.

I did both my foundation & degree (product design & development for fashion industry) at LCF so very fashion but I'd rate the university of arts, I think CSM were more product designy than the other collages (??)

[Minitoots]

Yes, Brezzo his school careers advisor has been very helpful so far and helped him get a place on a Goldsmiths design masterclass in June but it's not the same as having helpful advice from people who have actually been students at the various colleges so thanks to everyone who has replied so far with feedback from their own experience.

[gillandjoe]

i went to camberwell for my foundation ten years ago and it was brilliant - very creative, lots of encouragement to explore and gain confidence. pete nemcini ran it but i think he is on the illustration ba now so im not sure what state the foundation is in now. i think that lcc has a good course too.

[intexasatthe moment]

TSR is good for views from students ,general discussion and all studenty stuff .

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=113