Contemporary Jewellery – (B.A.)

Contents

Syllabus (11/12*)

Year 1

The first year of the course focuses on the development of the aesthetic, speculative, technical, critical and skills that are required to explore concepts in a variety of materials associated with contemporary jewellery.

* Contemporary jewellery: 3D material and concepts - you are introduced to the methodologies associated with the processes of design combined with the investigation of a variety of materials, techniques and workshop processes.
* Repetition and series - you are introduced to the concept of slip casting as a production method carried out in our workshops and covers most of the basic techniques of mould making and casting.
* Form and surface - develop creative responses to a brief and promotes a broad speculative approach to the investigation of the relationship between form and surface. designing and making.
* Perception and meaning - introduction to areas of theory that explores how we perceive and structure information (perception), the meanings we attribute to forms of communication (semiotics), and the social and cultural contexts within which human communication takes place (anthropology).
* Transformation - you look at how a material, in this case wood, can undergo a change in form or appearance in the development of work and are encouraged to explore a range of new and traditional approaches to making that enable the realisation of innovative designs.
* Wearability - you design and make pieces during this unit that will be primarily constructed in ceramic material and must be capable of being worn on the body in some form.
* Value - you examine how value is attached to objects; their importance, real and perceived preciousness, cultural value.
* Modernity and modernism - you examine some of the key intellectual, philosophical and aesthetic positions that influenced design and the visual arts from the late nineteenth century.

Year 2

You learn how to write project proposals, develop and refine research questions and identify research sources in support of proposals. You build on the skills, knowledge and confidence acquired previously, as well as being introduced to 3D CAD software.

* Sense of place - exploring the contexts of location and their potential for the creative designer maker.
* Ritual - designing a piece of jewellery in response to analysis and research.
* Postmodernity - explores key ideas that have contributed to the development of Postmodernism and their impact on creative practice.
* Audience and language - introduces you to the possibilities for exhibiting work in the public arena, including galleries, museums and public spaces.
* Beauty and the absurd - you define your own patterns of study and consolidate your creative and conceptual practice in preparation for year 3.
* European or International exchange (optional)
* Research (Framing Practice) - advanced engagement with theory and practice through the examination of current critical perspectives that illustrate how ideas and theories impact upon contemporary professional practice.

Year 3

You develop and articulate, in negotiation with course tutors, an independent and original series of projects that will result in an individual body of work that will be presented for degree assessment.

* Minor project: Contemporary Jewellery - develop a project brief and execute a largely self-initiated body of work building on the experience gained in Year 2, expanding your conceptual and design skills, technical skills, professional awareness and knowledge of your subject area.
* Dissertation - substantial period of self-directed research on a subject that is related to the historical, theoretical, or critical concerns of your discipline or professional area.
* Major project: Contemporary Jewellery - you identify and develop a substantial and complex self-directed area of enquiry and you are expected to demonstrate an experimental, innovative and sophisticated design practice that is supported by a depth and breadth of focused research and the sustained development of creative ideas and conceptual awareness.

* Please note the syllabus content is for the academic year indicated and is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.