Art and Design, Fashion and Photography Courses

If you’re highly creative, dynamic and self-motivated…

Our Art and Design, Fashion and Photography Courses courses are delivered by tutors with extensive experience in the visual arts sector and their professional expertise is valued by our students. We believe that people learn best when they work together, engaging in the process of debate and dialogue, instruction and construction.

Our focus is on developing an environment where your imagination and creativity can flourish, in studios and workshops that are equipped to offer you the opportunity to express and realise your ideas and ambitions.

Career options include:

  • Animator
  • Artist
  • Concept Artist
  • Fashion Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Illustrator
  • Photographer
  • Stylist

There are excellent facilities including studio spaces for painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and printmaking, as well as photo studios, digital suites and dark rooms. Further Education study programmes are offered across a wide range of art and design subjects and the Hay Gallery provides a versatile exhibition space for displaying students’ work.

One of the things I enjoy most about the course is that we’re able to exhibit our work to a wider audience and experiment with different mediums. My final piece is a 3D wallpaper design aimed at those who are visually impaired which involves touch as well as sight.

Shannah – Art and Design (Progressed from: The Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form)

On successful completion of our level 3 courses applicants will have the opportunity to progress onto a wide range of art and design related degree courses at university.

There is also a range of popular short courses offered by The School of Art in areas including ceramics, interior design, photography and printmaking.

@colchesterinstitute Check out our fantastic end of year show 'Active Ingredients' put on last week by our Art & Design students! 🖼️ Thank you to our Music students Bobby Smith and Nasi Smith for the providing the groovy song. 🎷#colchesterinstitute #college #art #artexhibition #colchester #essex #student #fyp #showcase #music #studentmusic ♬ original sound – Colchester Institute
@colchesterinstitute Take a look at our Art department, located at our Colchester Campus! 📍 #colchesterinstitute #college #colchester #essex #collegelife #study ♬ Prism – Shingo Nakamura

Full-time Courses

Art and Design Level 2
Concept Art and Animation Level 3
Fashion and Textiles Level 3
Fine Art and Illustration Level 3
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Level 3
Graphic Design and Branding Level 3
Photography Level 3

TeganLevel 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and DesignI like working with different things and expanding my own
style and practice in the workshops. My tutors are so helpful,
attentive, knowledgeable and caring. I enjoy learning new
skills and different ways to approach briefs and concepts.
ImogenLevel 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and DesignI chose to study this course to study art for another year
and get the qualifications necessary if I wanted to pursue
it further. I like the variety of techniques that we use and
we have access to a range of equipment.
Bill MartinBillLevel 3 Animation and IllustrationThis course has a unique approach to learning which
brings the best out in me. I love the creative freedom to
do what you want and the student teacher relationship
that you cannot find anywhere else.
SallieLevel 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and DesignI wanted to study a Foundation course so I had more time to
think about university, while also making my application better
with another qualification. The course has allowed me to
build my portfolio and has made me more confident.
marselina adelineMarselinaLevel 3 Art and DesignColchester Institute has helped me develop many of the
skills I need in the art industry such as research and
problem-solving, context knowledge and technical skills.
My tutor always offers advice on how to get a higher grade.
FreyaLevel 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and DesignThis course allows me to experiment with new techniques
in amazing facilities and the tutors spend time to help us
make art to the best of our abilities. Colchester Institute is
great at allowing you to focus on one career in depth.
Grace WigginsGraceLevel 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and DesignThis course has brought me out of my shell and helped
me develop my art practice. I like the freedom given to
us to explore and create whatever we want, along
with the workshop resources we can use.

Apprenticeships

Event AssistantLevel 3 Apprenticeship

Short Courses and Workshops

An Introduction to Studio Photography
Clay Club
Colchester Sewing Bee
Improving Digital Content Creation