AA3006 - Critical Creative Practice (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Critical Creative Practice | ||||||||||
| Module level | Foundation (03) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 30 | ||||||||||
| School | The School of Art, Architecture and Design | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 300 | ||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The module addresses what is fundamental to creative practices across all disciplines; discovery through making, development of ideas and visual narratives, colour, composition and materiality
You will explore the practice of key artists and designers, reflecting on techniques and skills used and will be asked to analyse your own studio work, how you develop your work through drawing and making, discussing materials and techniques.
The programme will offer a range of traditional and analogue techniques and processes where you will experience thoughtful and creative making events.
The module aims to establish a creative practice and introducing critical reflection in connection to making and developing concepts. You will have opportunities to discuss and critique work in order to develop your ability to confidently articulate and present ideas and concepts.
The module aims to expand subject-area knowledge and introduce practical strategies for the formation and growth of your creative practice.
Prior learning requirements
Available for Study Abroad? NO
Syllabus
Through discipline-specific studio practice, workshop exercises and visits, you will develop a range of skills in communication and develop knowledge of safe workshop practice working with a range of materials, techniques, processes, tools and equipment.
You will explore the limitations and potential of different processes in relation to your growing creative practice. Looking at artists and designers in all fields of Art, Architecture and Design. You will understand how they work with media and techniques to bring many qualities to their work. These skills will be enhanced through gallery visits.
The syllabus is intended to enhance skills and techniques that you might use in the studio projects throughout the whole course and develop confidence within your own practice.
The workshops might include sessions such as:
- Cyanotypes: 19th-century camera-less photographic printing process that produces cyan-blue (Prussian blue) prints using UV light, typically sunlight.
- Tempura: an ancient, fast-drying, and permanent paint medium made by mixing colour pigments with egg yolk.
- Katagami: Japanese craft of making paper stencils for dyeing textiles
- Collage: is a technique of art creation, primarily used in the visual arts by which art results from an assembly of different forms
- Tapestry: Tapestry is a form of textile art which was traditionally woven by hand
- Slab Pots: ceramic vessels created by hand-building with flat, uniform sheets of clay (slabs) that are cut, joined, and shaped.
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Scheduled teaching ensures that independent study is effective and addresses the learning outcomes and assessment tasks. Students are expected to; and have the opportunity to continue with their studies outside of scheduled classes. There will be a range of learning strategies deployed and individual learning styles will be accommodated.
The module’s learning outcomes, its contents and delivery, are regularly scrutinised and will be annually reviewed to ensure an ongoing inclusive approach to pedagogic practice. The module and course utilise the University’s blended learning platform to support and reinforce learning, to foster peer-to-peer communication and to facilitate tutorial support for students. Reflective learning is promoted through assessment items and interim formative feedback asks students to reflect on their progress, seek help where they identify the opportunity for improvement in learning strategies and outcomes, and proactively make recommendations to themselves for further development.
Throughout the module, students build a body of work, including reflections on progress and achievement. The School’s programme of employability events and embedded work-related learning within the curriculum supports students’ personal development planning. Through these initiatives, students are increasingly able, as they progress through the year, to understand the professional environment of their disciplines, the various opportunities available to them, and how to shape their learning according to their personal ambitions.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
Knowledge and Understanding
1. research and develop a series of creative techniques that discuss materials, methods and processes Cognitive Intellectual abilities
2 Demonstrate through reflective practice the work of others and how this has impacted and developed your work.
Transferable Skills
3.use a range of media and techniques to communicate your creative thinking to othersSubject Specific practical skills
4.apply practical and theoretical methods to broaden your creative practice individually.
Professionalism and Values
5.Demonstrate safe working practices, personal responsibility and growing awareness of ethical questions around art and design.