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What Art & Design courses are available at QE?
What Art & Design courses are available at QE?
Welcome to the Art & Design department, an innovative and stimulating environment where you learn a broad and varied curriculum across four A Level Art & Design courses, including; Fine Art, Graphic Design, Textiles and Photography. We also deliver a third year art foundation course.
Outstanding achievement is encouraged through engagement with high quality teaching and learning delivered across the department which consists of seven teaching staff with over 30 years experience in teaching and working in the creative industries. We have dedicated art, design and photography studios and a purpose built workshop to support your creative studies which is primarily based on the designated third floor and a further three photography studios on the ground floor.
We encourage individuality and treat students as artists, designers and photographers, allowing them to express themselves creatively through independent learning, practical experiences and tailored support in lessons. Our department is open beyond timetabled lessons giving students the opportunity to access specialist equipment and facilities when required. We hope you enjoy looking at the outstanding student work and fantastic opportunities available for you to get involved with.
Meet the Art & design TEAm
Meet the Art & design TEAm
Rachel Barras
Rachel Barras
Assistant Head of Art, Teacher of Textiles, Photography and Art Foundation
News and events
News and events
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SEW TALENTED!
SEW TALENTED!
First year Textiles students have been working with Employer Champion, Amber Kotrri on a live brief as part of their coursework to design a kimono suitable for the brands target audience. Students took inspiration from the brands ethos and aesthetic and studied natural forms in the way of vibrant flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables. During the project they took part in a drawing and painting workshop with Freelance Surface Pattern Designer, Davinder Madaher who discussed with students how to take drawings into patterns for fashion. The Textiles students developed their original drawings into repeat patterns to explore composition and layout and they aplied their selected designs to a kimono layout. Lily Horvath won the runner up place with two of her designs selected, and Matilda Haymer won first prize and is having her design printed and made into a full size fashion kimono at the sustainable production factory in Albania.
Rachel Barras, Assistant Head of Art and Design says: “We are so grateful for the support from Amber and her fabulous team at House of Zana. It is a real privileged to work with a team of business women who are paving the way for young people in Darlington, offering contemporary fashion that is sustainable and environmentally friendly. Working with House of Zana has allowed our students to see a world outside of education where a vibrant and aspirational career is possible for them. I am so proud of the work that was produced by all our Textiles students, which was of such a high quality. Matilda and Lily were in tough competition and it shows how creative their designs were for them to be selected as winners. We can’t wait to see the final fabrics!
“We extend our thanks to Amber and Olivia for all they have done and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
INTERNSHIP FOR ART FOUNDATION STUDENT, TILLY
INTERNSHIP FOR ART FOUNDATION STUDENT, TILLY
For the third year running QE’s Art Foundation students have been working with founder of UGD Apparel, Sam Stanislaus, to work on live project briefs with the Art Foundation students.
This year Sam asked students to design a concept for an upcoming take over tour where he joins various sports facilities and gyms and holds pop up shops with his products. Students came up with a range of ideas but it was Tilly Murphy who won the competition and was offered an internship with the brand. Tilly designed a fun, contemporary concept that explores the idea of ‘Happy Space’ where the garments were designed to be worn for comfort, leisure or on top of sportswear to and from the gym. As part of the internship Tilly has discussed layout, colour and product selection with Sam, she has also directed and planned the photoshoot for the first look of the products, as well as being a model for one of the full sets. She also created designs for a tote bag, socks and thankyou cards as part of the whole concept range. Her products are going on sale on a soft launch on Friday 8th March at a pop-up shop at CrossFit Darlington, and then the full release will be online at ugdapparel.com from the 29th March. Tilly will be working at the pop-up shop to meet clients and discuss her work. We would like to extend our thanks to Hash Bar and Kitchen, Darlington for giving us access to their top floor café bar for the photoshoot, providing Tilly’s products with a cool and contemporary backdrop.
Assistant Head of Art and Design, Rachel Barras says that ‘working with Sam is an incredible opportunity that provides students with real life, industry experience where they are working to short timescales, a specific brief and receiving critical and constructive feedback. We are always impressed with the work students produced, but this year Sam commented on how professional Tilly’s work was and that he was blown away with her maturity, ideas and work ethic on this project. I am so proud of Tilly and how far her work has developed since A levels. Tilly is going on to study Textiles and Surface Pattern Design and The Northern School of Art and her final work will be on display alongside her course mates at our Art Foundation Show on the 13th June’.
DESIGNER RETURNS TO QE FOR DRAWING AND DESIGNING WORKSHOP FOR SECOND YEAR
DESIGNER RETURNS TO QE FOR DRAWING AND DESIGNING WORKSHOP FOR SECOND YEAR
Textiles students had the wonderful opportunity to take part in a workshop lead by Davinder Madaher, a print designer/consultant/lecturer with over 25 years experience in the design industry. Davinder has worked for brands such as The Gap, Debenhams, Tesco and Cottontraders, and has had designs featured in various magazines such as Marie Claire, Grazia and House & Garden.
Our students, who were joined by a group of pupils from Risedale School, learned from Davinder what it is like to work in the fashion and design industry, as well as how he got to where he is today. They spent much of the day experimenting with watercolours, and drawing the flowers and fruit that were on the tables in front of them. Erin Christie, who is in her second year at QE commented ‘I really enjoyed the day and the atmosphere was great. Davinder’s vibrant personality really made the day. I am looking forward to developing my drawings further using more loose techniques inspired by Davinder’s guidance’.
The day was enjoyed by all, and will be a valuable experience for students who were able to gain many new skills and discover from Davinder, who has first-hand knowledge of the fashion and design world, where they can be applied. Taylor Duffy, second year Textiles student says ‘It was really informative to learn more about the industry and how to make connections through networking. It was insightful to learn how fundamental the drawing process is for a wide variety of careers within the art and design industry. I really enjoyed the day, and the opportunity to work with an industry professional’.
Course Leader for Textiles, Rachel Barras, says about the workshop ‘The work being produced in A Level Textiles is of a high quality and we look to maintain this standard by creating further experiences such as this, allowing students to explore technique and process at a sophisticated level. We are also excited to show our students the exciting career and progression opportunities available to them within the vast art and design industry. We also loved working with students from Risedale School again, they showed a very mature work ethic and some brilliant creativity. We extend our thanks to Davinder for creating such a fantastic experience, and to the staff at Risedale School for continuing to build our relationship with them’.
STUDENT WORK DISPLAYED NATIONALLY
STUDENT WORK DISPLAYED NATIONALLY
Striking work by three QE students is on display in a national art exhibition that explores the theme of sustainability. Mia Johnson, Alex Mason and Anna Bradley – Art students at the College – are among 146 students from across the UK chosen to have their work included in the Sixth Form College Association (SFCA) annual art exhibition, which this year is themed ‘A Sustainable Future’.
Mia, a first year Fine Art student from Yarm, was inspired by the famous oil painting Girl with a Pearl Earring, by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, when she painted her piece Girl with a Plastic Bag. She explained: ‘The piece depicts how plastic has become integrated into every part of our lives – it is inescapable. I believe this is communicated visually by the stark contrast of a beautiful woman painted in a classic style opposed to the plastic bag, which appears out of place to the eye.’
Anna, a student on QE’s Art Foundation course, explored a range of processes, including cyanotype and anthotype photography using natural products including seaweed and beetroot. ‘I aimed to achieve more sustainable practices to promote eco – friendly photography, and to challenge how people would traditionally process film,’ said Anna, from Long Newton. ‘The final result is a collection of images that have been taken, explored, and developed through a range of sustainable processes, inspired by the natural world we are trying to save.’
The online SFCA exhibition aims to give young people a voice through the arts, encouraging Sixth Form students to express themselves and communicate their concerns and beliefs through their work. Much of this year’s work focuses on plastic pollution, climate change, rewilding, and sustainable living.
Alex, a second year Graphics student from Darlington, designed an outdoor adventure holiday resort with eco-friendly accommodation to promote sustainable living as part of his project. He said: ‘Sustainable living means understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us and finding ways for everyone to help preserve the environment. I was really surprised when I found my work had been selected and felt really proud.’
QE’s Assistant Head of Art and Design Rachel Barras, a teacher of A Level Textiles, congratulated the students. She said: ‘The work they’ve produced is not only visually stunning but also discusses interesting and important topics that just shows the maturity and creativity in our Art and Design students.’
RISEDALE SCHOOL TAKE PART IN PRINT AND FASHION WORKSHOP
RISEDALE SCHOOL TAKE PART IN PRINT AND FASHION WORKSHOP
Year 9 pupils from Risedale School, Catterick Garrison, have experienced a hands-on day in the life of an A Level Textiles student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (QE), Darlington, through an exciting print and fashion workshop. The neon-themed, interactive session allowed pupils to get to grips with QE’s state of the art facilities as they worked in teams to design and screen print lengths of fabric before manipulating them around mannequins to create their very own fashion garment. The budding artists were encouraged to experiment with form, shape and folding techniques to create unique silhouettes. The outfits were then judged by Rachel Barras and Sarah Steel, teachers of A Level Textiles at QE, who were very impressed with the students’ efforts. Rachel, Assistant Head of Art and Design, comments: ‘Everyone showed fantastic creativity and enthusiasm during the workshop. There was an eruption of colour as the group screen printed some dazzling garments. It was incredibly hard to judge a winner!’
Risedale School pupil, Paige Doak, thoroughly enjoyed visiting QE. She explains: ‘It’s been such a fun experience and the students at the College were really helpful. Teammate Ava Cox enthuses: ‘I’ve enjoyed being able to try something new and learn a different skill in Textiles. Everyone at QE is very friendly.’ Miss Vizor, teacher of Design and Technology at Risedale School who accompanied the group on their taster experience, says: ‘The session has been a great opportunity to build links with the College and we’ve been able to provide our pupils with the chance to add something new to their portfolios. They have loved visiting QE for such a creative day. On behalf of Risedale, we’d like to thank the Textiles department and hope to continue making connections.’
Ms Southworth-Gedye, teacher of Drama at Risedale School, adds: ‘The workshop has been fabulous as students have seen the career options available to them in the art and design industry. It has also shown them that they can study A Level art at a local college with wonderful facilities. The staff have been brilliant and it’s definitely highlighted how our pupils can take their studies further.’
Following the visit, Rachel is looking forward to working with Risedale School again in the near future. She concludes: ‘We held the print and fashion session to encourage more young people to study art and make them aware of future progression opportunities available to them beyond school. Working with these students has allowed us to create links and show how our curriculum can expand on their knowledge and experiences at key stages three and four.’
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