THE FOUNDATION NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN CALLIGRAPHY

This level of the National Diploma is for those who have completed a course which covers the analysis and use of one basic minuscule hand with pen-related majuscules where appropriate. For the purposes of the Diploma the basic hand is regarded as either Foundational (Formal Round Hand) or Formal Italic.

The studies should also include the use of tools and materials, the simple use of colour, the layout of text, and a brief study of the historical development of calligraphy and lettering. As a guide, you should have been practising calligraphy for a minimum of at least one full year's systematic study including tuition, support and practice, and preferably two years.

You should submit three modules, which include four calligraphic pieces in the same one basic hand, together with the historical study and analysis of an historical manuscript of your chosen basic hand. One piece in Module B should contain a length of writing. As a guide (but not a rule) this should include a body of text which is about 50 words, this could be, say, about the length of a short sonnet, a poem of three verses of three lines each, or eight lines of continuous prose. The other pieces can contain fewer words, where the design may play a more prominent part.

You should submit your work on A2 mounting boards with the A4 historical study and basic hand analysis attached.

Complete submissions of all three Modules at one time are encouraged, but for those who choose to do so, submissions of separate Modules are acceptable.

Finished pieces submitted should show you have an understanding of the underlying structure of letter-forms, spacing and methods of designing and working. Only the best pieces should be submitted, and a study of the Assessment Criteria by you and your tutor is advised.

Foundation Diploma - Modules A, B and C

Module A - Historical Letter Analysis and Historical Study

1. In A4 format make an analysis of the letter-forms of an historical manuscript which reflects your one chosen basic hand. Your analysis should include x-height, letter formation and construction, heights of ascenders and descenders, etc. This can be in the form of notes added to enlarged photocopies of a relevant historical manuscript, together with your own lettering studies.
2. In A4 format, and in about 1,000 of your own words, use illustrations and photocopies to give a brief summary of the changes in letter-forms from Roman Capitals to the present day.

Module B - Two calligraphic pieces

Two pieces of your own work in your chosen one basic hand with pen-related majuscules where appropriate. The works should show good construction and proportions of the basic hand with majuscules. Work should demonstrate practical knowledge of good and balanced spacing in the use of letters, words and lines and in the surrounding margins. One of these two pieces should contain at least 50 words.

Module C - Two calligraphic pieces, including one piece using colour

Two pieces of your own work in the same basic hand as in Module B with pen-related majuscules where appropriate. The works should show good construction and proportions of this basic hand with majuscules. Work should demonstrate practical knowledge of good and balanced spacing in the use of letters, words and lines and in the surrounding margins.

One piece should be in colour which demonstrates the simple and controlled use of colour in the pen, and, if desired, the use of colour in the background. For this piece include the working stages from first roughs through to the finished design. Photocopies and paste-ups are accepted. Attach these to a board so that it is easy for the Assessors to see the progression of your ideas. Add notes to the stages to make the decisions that you took regarding size(s) of lettering, layout, colour, design, etc clearer.

Foundation Diploma - Assessment Criteria

The overall method of assessment is to use the work submitted as evidence of the skill, knowledge, responsiveness and understanding developed by the candidate.

Criterion I - Letter Analysis and History

The study of an historical manuscript should demonstrate the candidate's

1. ability to analyse a calligraphic hand and apply the resulting understanding in the calligraphic pieces submitted;
2. knowledge and understanding of the historical roots of calligraphy, up to the present day, in particular the development of letter-forms.

Criterion II - Calligraphy

In the context of one basic hand (Foundational/Formal Round Hand or Formal Italic) the work should show minuscules and pen-related majuscules which are:

1. well constructed, as shown by pen angle, number, beginnings and endings of strokes; ascenders and descenders, etc,
2. well proportioned and of an
3. appropriate weight in relation to their size. There should be
4. consistent family characteristics in minuscules and majuscules and between the two. Letters should be combined into words, lines, sentences and paragraphs using
5. writing rhythm together with
6. spacing and evenness of texture (except where variation is introduced to meet the needs of design).

Criterion III - Design and Layout

The pieces of work submitted should collectively show design and layout which:

1. appropriately uses one or more colours (in addition to black) and which in simple ways
2. emphasises and/or clarifies meaning and purpose by (for example) grouping letters and words; differences in size, weight, form and colour of letters and
3. shows balanced arrangement of text and other visual elements (if used within the design);
4. achieves an appropriate relationship between text area and the space as a whole (including margins). In addition credit will be given for
5. overall quality of presentation of work submitted.

Criterion IV - Creativity

The work submitted should demonstrate the ability of the candidate in simple, straightforward ways, to perceive and respond to the connection between meaning on the one hand and design components such as colour, size, contrast, texture, pattern and layout on the other. Assessment will focus on

1. sensitivity of interpretation and
2. degree of originality (freshness of ideas).

Criterion V - Skills and Techniques

The pieces of work should collectively demonstrate:

1. selection and appropriate use of materials whose colour, size, quality and other physical properties enable the design to be fulfilled;
2. appropriate use of tools as the basis of calligraphic techniques;
3. informed and disciplined use of materials and tools to develop ideas and themes.

Criterion VI - Working Process

Where several stages are involved in the development of a piece, the work should show evidence of the development process (ie the way in which thought and execution developed shown by the working stages enclosed). Candidates are encouraged to make concise notes and critical comments on the reasons why decisions were made.