Duration: 1 Year (2 semesters)

We live in a visual culture more varied, exciting and engaging than ever before in history.

THINK: Design of everything that surrounds us.
THINK: Cinema, theatre, contemporary art, animation and television.
THINK: Fashion, products, magazines, web sites.

The list is endless and so are the opportunities.

As young people wonder about future careers they are inexorably drawn to the arts, yet often school experiences, even cultural stereotypes and misunderstandings, prevent them from exploring and committing to the arts as a career, a vocation or as an educational experience which will enhance their creativity, imagination, flexibility, risk taking, visual flair those soft skills so much in demand in today’s fast moving, trend driven economy.

Look at recent job advertisements and we guarantee these are the buzz words.

LASALLE, since its founding by Singapore’s cultural icon, Brother Joseph McNally 25 years ago, have been carefully building our Visual Studies Foundation (VSF) programme.

VSF can now claim to be the leading programme of its kind in South East Asia. We nurture and encourage the wide range of young people who are admitted to this programme and within one academic year the majority of our students are equipped and confident to progress to BA(Hons) Level 1 at LASALLE.

Uniquely we offer a supportive and diagnostic environment in which students are encouraged to: learn basic art, design and software skills, to reflect on their personal qualities and potential, to develop critical reading writing and thinking skills and to involve themselves in group and community projects. Every student belongs to a Personal and Professional Development class with a personal tutor and our highly experienced and dedicated staff seeks to ensure that by the end of the year successful students can confidently move into their chosen specialist area:

• Design Communication (specialisms in:Advertising Communication, Graphic Communication,and Image & Communication)
• Fashion Communication
• Fashion Design
• Fashion Management
• Fashion Textiles
• Interior Design
• Product Design
• Animation Art
• Video Art
• Interactive Art
• Film
• Fine Arts [specialisms in Art Photography, Drawing, Graphic Novel, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Time-based Arts]
• Technical Theatre
• Theatre + Performance
• Arts Management

Foundation Studies will help you to develop a range of core skills that will be fundamental to your chosen diploma / degree in Design, Fine Arts, Film, Media Arts or Arts Management. Through this programme, you will gain a better understanding of technical skills and creative processes as well as learn how to work in a studio environment.

Modules:

• Studio Practice - Introduction to Studio Practice, Exploration of Studio Practice, Technical Skills Workshops for Studio Practice and Specialist Studio Practice
• Contemporary and Contextual Studies - Introduction to Contemporary and Contextual Studies, Key Skills in Contemporary and Contextual Studies
• Assessments: Students are assessed on studio projects, individual works, workshop skills, studio projects, presentations, written assignments and class participation.

Teaching Methods: Learning is enhanced through a range of teaching methods including lectures, workshops, tutorials, critique sessions and demonstrations.

Entry Requirements

You are required to attend an Interview where you will present a Portfolio of your work that demonstrates your creative potential.

1. Academic Requirements

Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level: 5 subjects (including English) at C6 or higher, or recognised international equivalent (refer to academic requirements). Alternative English qualification: IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL 525.

Note: GCE ‘O’ Level Art & Design/Art Elective Programme represents the portfolio standard for eligibility into Visual Studies Foundation.

2. Portfolio Requirements

2.1 10 pieces of different kinds of artwork need to be presented, including at least one set of preparatory sketches or a sketchbook.

2.2 Works should include a range of techniques, eg. drawings, sketches, 2-D work (e.g. painting, printmaking, digital imaging) or 3-D work (e.g. sculpture, ceramics).

2.3 Portfolio Formats:

2.3.1 A2 size (42cm x 59.4cm/ 16.5” × 23.4”) or smaller (minimum A4 size) preferably with a zipped cover and presented neatly in folio and/or folder.

2.3.2 Originals of works are preferred, however photographs, digital images & JPEG (CD-Rom) are also acceptable (particularly for work larger than 60cm x 20cm in size). All digital files must be submitted in Macintosh compatible formats.

2.3.3 Works and/or images should be accompanied with labels/captions indicating: title of work, year of completion, medium/material, size/dimension of works.

2.4 Sketches showing the development of ideas and the processes used during the creation of your chosen artworks must be produced. These sketches may be in your sketchbooks.

Note for Applicants residing outside of Singapore:

• You must submit digital portfolio saved in a DVD / CD to complete your application.
• All works (including any originals) submitted will not be returned.
• All works submitted will be used strictly for the purpose of assessing applicant’s eligibility for entry into LASALLE courses.

What we are looking for?

PORTFOLIO - Evidence of commitment to and passion for Art and Design and the ability to explore visual ideas. Applicants need to be selective in preparing the portfolio to ensure that it best represents their creative ability. The assessment of the portfolio is based on the following considerations:

• Creative development in the artwork/project
• Observational skills
• Experimentation in medium and material exploration
• Overall clarity in your portfolio presentation

PRESENTATION OF THE BEST PIECE OF ARTWORK - Ability to describe process of development and understanding of the source and inspiration for the chosen piece of work.

DISCUSSION - Evidence of basic ability to communicate and discus.

What will happen on the Interview Day?

When you arrive:

• You will be directed to the interview space and asked to lay out your portfolio.
• You will be interviewed by two lecturers of LASALLE as part of the group interview.
• There will be up to seven other applicants in your group.
• While the lecturers are assessing your portfolio, you will be asked to discuss with the other candidates on the topic: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CREATIVE? As a group you should prepare some ideas for discussion later on in the interview.
• Once the lecturers have assessed the portfolios, all applicants will be asked to select their best piece of artwork from their own portfolio and talk about it for two minutes. You should say why you think it is your best piece and also talk about how you developed it and be prepared to answer questions.
• Once all the applicants have presented their artwork, the whole group will then discuss the topic: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CREATIVE?
• Finally there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions about LASALLE and the VISUAL STUDIES FOUNDATION PROGRAMME.

The group interview will last for approximately two hours.

You will be given an immediate “Condition Offer” as to whether you have been offered a place. Unsuccessful applicants will be given the option to enroll for the “Portfolio Boot Camp for Non-Art Trained Applicants” - an intensive workshop conducted by lecturers from the Faculty of Foundation Studies.