Education in fine arts is entirely different from other disciplines as it requires some inborn talent and skill. So the aspirants must have artistic and creative talent. Fine arts mainly focus on applied art, graphic design, painting and sculpturing.
To become an artist, art teacher or a lecturer in fine arts one must have a higher degree in fine arts. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree course is for those who have passed Plus Two with any subject combination.
The duration of the course is four years. An integrated course is offered in the first year, and the remaining three years are allocated for specialization in applied art. The specialised branches in the second year will be offered on basis of the students’ aptitude.
The first and final year examinations are conducted by the universities to which the colleges are affiliated, and the second and third year examinations are conducted by the respective colleges.
Graphic design
Graphic design is a form of visual communication. It can incorporate the use of illustration, iconography and branding, but it is not limited to these forms of representations.
Graphic designers develop the overall layout and production design of magazines, newspapers, journals, corporate reports and other publications. They are generally employed in advertising, publishing or design firms.
The National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad, provides excellent study facilities for meritorious Plus Two holders in Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD). Selection is based on all-India level entrance/aptitude test and interview. NID programme will have high level job potential ( www.nid.edu).
BFA (applied arts)
It basically deals in graphic design, visual communication and advertising. The BFA (applied arts) course gives full exposure to print media, advertising and electronic media.
The College of Fine Arts, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram, offers BFA with specialisation in applied arts. There are 23 seats.
The RLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Thripunithura, also offers BFA course with specialisation in applied arts.
The Fine Arts College, Thrissur, and the Raja Ravi Varma College of Fine Arts, Mavelikara, also offers BFA course with applied arts. Other specialisations offered in these colleges are painting and sculpture.
Admission to these three colleges is common and centralised. Those who have passed Plus Two and are between 17 and 27 years of age are eligible for admission. The admission is notified after the declaration of the Plus Two results.
Selection will be made on the basis of an aptitude test consisting of drawing, creative composition in painting, sculpture in clay and graphic design.
The Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady, and the Chinmaya Vidyapeetham, Ernakulam, also offer fine arts course.
Outside Kerala
There are several universities and colleges that offer BFA course outside Kerala. Some of them are as follows:
•Goa College of Arts, Panaji, Goa.
•College of Arts, Tilak Marg, New Delhi–110001.
•Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Fort, Mumbai–400001
•Bharati College of Fine Arts, Pune–411043
•Padmashree Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Applied Arts and Crafts, Pune–411044
•Indian Institute of Fine Arts, Modinagar, Delhi – 201201.
•Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
•Bangalore University, Bangalore.
•Jamia Millia Islamia University, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi–110028
•Nagpur University, Nagpur – 440001
•Sri Venketeswara University, Tirupati.
•University of Madras, Chepauk, Chennai – 600005
•Andhra University, College of Arts and Commerce, Visakapatanam.
Detailed information can be collected from the institutions concerned. The list is only indicative and details of more universities and institutions that offer BFA course can be collected from the university Handbook published by the Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi, which is available for reference in all University Employment Information and Guidance Bureaux functioning under all universities in Kerala.
MFA
Those who successfully complete BFA can go for Master of Fine Arts (MFA). In Kerala, the MFA courses are offered at the Fine Arts College, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram and the RLV College of Music and Fine Arts, Thripunnithura. Entry qualification is BFA with at least a second class. Admission notification can be expected after the BFA examination results are announced.
The Amritha School of Arts and Science, Edappaly, Kochi – 682024 offers Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in visual media with specialisation in film and television, graphic arts and animation and communicative journalism. Entry qualification is graduation in any subject with 50 per cent marks ( www.amrita.edu).
The National Institute of Design, Paldi, Ahmedabad, also conducts postgraduate diploma programme in design. BFA A9pplied arts) degree holders can apply. The selection is based on an all-India level entrance test and interview.
The Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandher ( www.acfa.apeejay.edu) offers PG diploma in commercial art. Graduate in arts, commerce, science are eligible for admission.
Visual communication
Visual communication is another suitable option. It is an emerging discipline in which graphic artists use multimedia technology for the creation of visuals. Three-year B.Sc. Visual communication and four-year degree/ graduate diploma programmes in design are available at a few institutes. Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) course is offered at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati. Selection is based on IIT–JEE ranking.
B.Sc. Visual Communication courses are conducted at the following institutions:
•Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai
•Asan Memorial College of Arts & Science, Chennai
•Hindustan Educational Institutions, Coimbatore
•Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
•University of Madras, Chennai
•College Fine Arts and Design, Chennai
(The list is only indicative). Those who successfully complete the B.Sc. (visual communication) can opt for M.Sc. course to improve their career prospects.
