Art and Design (Illustration & Graphic Design): HNC - Year 1

What you will learn

On this HNC Art and Design Year 1 (Illustration & Graphic Design) course, you’ll build a mix of traditional and digital creative skills. Through practical projects and studio work, you’ll develop both technical ability and creative confidence.

Some of the specialist areas you’ll explore include:

• Graphic Design & Illustration – create visual concepts and original artwork.
• Digital Imaging & Media – use Adobe Creative Suite software to bring ideas to life.
• Design Semantics & Development Drawing – communicate ideas clearly through sketching and design language.
• Creative Process & Mixed Media – experiment with different techniques to develop unique solutions.
• Art & Design Context & Cultural Identity – understand and express your own identity and study the history of design and its role in society today.
• Creative Project for Artists & Designers – apply your learning to an independent project.
• Portfolio Production – produce professional-standard work that showcases your skills for employers or further study.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a strong, diverse portfolio that reflects your creativity and prepares you for HND, university progression, or a career in the creative industries.

Entry requirements

To apply for the HNC Art and Design Year 1 (Digital Design & Illustration) at Glasgow Kelvin College, you should meet one of the following:

✅ A minimum C grade pass in Higher / Advanced Higher Art & Design

✅ An A or B grade in English at National 5, or a minimum C at Higher

✅ An NQ in Art & Design or related subject (minimum 15 credit passes)

If you have an equivalent qualification but no formal passes, don’t worry — we’ll consider your application based on your portfolio. You’ll be asked to upload a selection of your artwork and provide a short description of chosen pieces.

ℹ️ Applicants must be 16 years or older at the start of the course

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

• you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)

• If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

Graduates from this course go on to a wide range of creative roles. Depending on your interests and whether you continue to HND or degree-level study, possible careers include:

🎨 Illustrator (freelance or agency-based)

🎨 Concept Artist (freelance or agency-based)

🖌 Graphic Designer (digital or print)

🖥 Digital Media Designer (web, social, branding)

🎥 Motion Graphics or Animation Assistant

📚 Artworker / Studio Assistant in creative agencies

🎭 Community Arts Practitioner (arts outreach and education)

🏫 Art & Design Technician in schools, colleges or studios

📱 Junior Creative in Marketing / Social Media Content

🗂 Junior Project Coordinator in creative industries

With further study, students have also progressed into roles such as:

• University-level Fine Artist / Designer
• Art Teacher or Lecturer (after additional qualifications)
• Creative Director (longer-term career pathway)

Future prospects

Completing the HNC Art and Design Year 1 (Digital Design & Illustration) at Glasgow Kelvin College opens up a wide range of opportunities for further study and creative careers.

Progression routes:

• Direct entry into Year 2 of the HND Art & Design at Glasgow Kelvin College, with a choice of Digital or Fine Art pathways.
• Degree-level study at leading universities and art schools across the UK, including:
  Glasgow School of Art (GSA) • Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) • Duncan of Jordanstone (DJCAD) • Gray’s School of Art • University of the West of Scotland (UWS) • Goldsmiths • Falmouth • and many more.