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Creative and Design

With its stimulating atmosphere, our Creative and Design department is an exciting place for you to mark your mark on the creative industries.

art and design student drawing

Our Creative and Design pathways

Art and design student painting

Art and Design

Focus on the importance of creative development through a range of artistic mediums.

Hone your skills on projects involving drawing, illustration, painting, sculpture, 3D Design and more.

Learner using the camera as part of the UCA visit

Media

Discover how to captivate an audience through film, television, games design, journalism and creative writing.

Demonstrate your practical skills whilst working on actual media products that can be used for your portfolio and future career.

Student using the darkroom

Photography

Specialise in the medium of Photography and learn a range of analogue and digital skills.

Studies take place using our professional industry-standard equipment, including photographic studios, darkroom and digital imaging software.

Be taught by practising artists

Our creative courses allow flexibility for learners to develop their individuality and confidence, providing a comprehensive grounding in a range of creative and design discplines.

Our students are taught by highly qualified tutors, many of whom are practising artists.

Paul Hodge, our Programme Director for Art, has exhibited his work widely across the UK, most notably in ‘Figure’ at Burghley Sculpture Park, ‘Art in the Dockyard’, Chatham and ‘The London Group Centenary Exhibition’.

 

Art and design student cutting with staff memeber Paul heping.

Curate exhibitions that show your work

You will contribute to our End of Year Shows that take place in Ashford Town Centre and are open to the public.

We also host some of our artworks in College, for staff, students and external guests to see all year round.

We even work with local charities to auction off student artwork and raise money for good causes.

All of these projects help you build key transferrable skills such as management, teamwork and communication.

Ashford student artwork of a face.

Darkroom

Discover the world of traditional film development with our specialist Darkroom.

Our facility is equipped with everything you need to learn and perfect the art of analogue photography.

From developing your negatives to creating stunning prints, our hands-on approach ensures that you can unleash your creativity and bring your visions to life on our Photography courses.

Production Studio

Gain first-hand experience in media by using our professional-grade gear including tripods, lighting rigs and reflectors empowering you to bring your creative vision to life with precision and professionalism.

Whether you’re filming a scene, conducting interviews, or experimenting with special effects, our studio provides the perfect environment for hands-on learning and experimentation.

Student preparing a camera

Adult Courses

At EKC Ashford College, we offer part-time and short courses throughout the year in a range of Creative and Design areas.

These will help you develop skills that can be used to start a new hobby or even enter the industry at a beginner level.

Our evening classes ensure that learning here is as easy and as convenient for you as possible.

How you apply for a course at EKC Ashford College

Step 1 – Find a subject you’re interested in

Explore our courses online and see the wide range of academic opportunities that are available to you.

Step 2 – Apply

Apply through our online application system for the department you are choosing.

Step 3 – Come to an applicant day

Come along to EKC Ashford College to meet our team, explore our facilities and see which course is right for you.

Meet our Head of Department

Richard Eno

Richard has now worked in the post-16 sector for 24 years and brings his huge amount of experience in creative media education to EKC Ashford College.

Originally from Folkestone, he was educated at King Alfred’s College, Winchester.

He studied film producing under Dov Simens, the same man who taught Quentin Tarantino as well as many others in Hollywood.

He also trained at The Script Factory where he focused on helping writers fix their screenplays.

Staff spotlight Richard. Head of Department
Outside shot of Ashford College

Career prospects

Example:
Artists
£
£35,880
Annual pay
Annual pay is per year, based on full-time employment and on the South East region.
Role description
Artists create artistic works using appropriate techniques, materials and media; design artwork and illustrations; and restore damaged pieces of art.
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The course really pushed me to be confident in my work.

This is a great environment to learn and my tutors, especially Marc, have been incredible with their support and have inspired me to go further.

Isobelle
Photography Level 3 student
Peter Roberts Bursary Award winner, Jake Sheppard, holding a cheque presented by Peter McCann, Chair for Quality and Safeguarding at the Skills Network

I was really excited and happy when I found out that I had won the Peter Roberts Bursary for my College work.

I had a hard time at school, so I came here to College and realised that Photography was the thing that I really wanted to do.

College has really helped me to come out of my shell and find out what I want to do in life. I am more talkative now and it has helped me to make friends.

Jake
Photography Level 3 student
Tianna showing off her results.

After studying for a year at Sixth Form, I realised I wanted to pursue photography, so came to EKC Ashford College instead.

Before I started my course, I thought I didn’t want to go to university, but College helped me find my path and now I’m looking forward to going to London Metropolitan University.

I had a great time at College and I advise other students to make the most of their time and the facilities here.

Tianna
Photography Level 3 student

We’re part of six community-based colleges

Our mission is to play a leading role for East Kent in developing the economic and social prosperity of the diverse communities we serve.