This module is concerned with the development, creation and evidencing of a range of vital professional skills: the ability to respond with limited lead time to a photography brief (using skills gained in Level 4 and L5); the creation of a professional work-seeker's photography portfolio; the ability to present and coherently rationalise work to an audience; the production of a relevant CV; evidence of a web-presence. The aim of this module is to ensure that you are well prepared to further a career in photography (and/or related fields) upon graduation and thereafter.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Tutor-led, individual and group sessions support students to develop independent learning strategies and skills in practical and theoretical research and analysis. Core and elective tutorials, subject- workshops, artist/professional talks, critiques, practice seminars.
Learning activities will include:
Photo-assignment briefings - short, year group meetings in which key teaching, learning and assessment processes will be outlined and explained.
Individual & Group tutorials - timetabled meetings with staff held at intervals throughout the module, the content of which is determined by the individual enquiry of each student.
Practice Seminars - discussion of relevant subject material such as recently published texts, artworks or current events in small groups of students, facilitated by a member of staff. The content of the seminars is determined by the individual practices of the students.
Critiques - small groups of students explore the content and context of their work by presenting it to one another as the subject of rigorous, constructive and honest critique facilitated by a member of staff.
Professional talks - visitors from a broad range of disciplines are invited to give talks and lectures, on subjects such as artist practice, curation, writing, gallery management, collaborative approaches, education, and publishing.
Independent Study - self-directed study time used to build on the ongoing dialogue with tutors and peers. Independent study may involve working in the studio, workshops, library or off-site at individually relevant locations, by negotiation with staff.
The module will make use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas for communication and dissemination of information between students and staff as well as making online learning materials available to all.
All courses based in the Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on business and management skills. Some of these are embedded in the curriculum and offer additional self-paced learning, others may be taken at will by students wishing to broaden their employability skills in other areas.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Tutorials, workshops, artist/professional talks, critiques, seminars | 100 |
| Guided independent study | 200 | |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Individual, peer, group and self-assessment activities will be used. Assessment will take into account individual progress and each student's understanding of the use of practical work and research and the creative development of ideas. Using a range of appropriate assessment methods, verbal formative assessment and feedback/feed forward will be given during and at the end of projects through tutorials, seminars and group project reviews where students will be required to present work in progress and finished project work. Written summative feedback will be given at the end of the module after group module review where students will be required to present a finished portfolio of work. This could include prints, research dossier, book - exact selection to be agreed with tutors, and a CV, website/blog.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1. Work with limited lead-time to produce photographic responses to professional industry-style briefs. | Formative assessment through feedback on each project at set intervals relating to deadline of brief. All projects are critiqued at group reviews, seminar presentations and core tutorials. Summative assessment of responses to project briefs and formal feedback takes place at the end of the module. |
| 2. Sequence and edit a personal photography portfolio presentable to potential future employers. | Formative assessment through feedback on project work which is critiqued at group reviews and core tutorials. All projects are critiqued at group reviews, seminar presentations and core tutorials. Summative assessment of responses to project briefs and formal feedback takes place at the end of the module. |
| 3. Coherently and confidently defend their photography work. | Formative assessment through skills mock presentations, and feedback from project work which is assessed at group reviews, seminar presentations and core tutorials. Summative assessment of responses to project briefs and formal feedback takes place at the end of the module. |
| 4. Seek employment using a professional CV and an online web-presence. | Formative assessment through skills workshops and presentations, and feedback in seminar presentations and core tutorials. Summative assessment of responses to project briefs and formal feedback takes place at the end of the module. |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio of short projects | Coursework | 80% |
| Website including CV | Coursework | 20% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Recommendations to support independent study are made according to individual needs during individual and group tutorials.
Azoulay, A (2012) The Civil Contract of Photography, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press
Ibbotson, J. et al. (2003) Beyond the Lens. London: The Association of Photographers
Tracy, J. ; Gibson, S. (2011) The Freelance Photographers Market Handbook, London: BFP Books
Vitali, J. (2004) The Fine Artist's Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion. New York: Allworth Press
Volk, L. and Currier, D. (2010) No Plastic Sleeves. The complete portfolio guide for photographers and designers. London: Focal Press
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