BA (Hons) Ceramic Design

Course detail

BA (Honours) Ceramic Design is a specialist design course. We believe that ceramics can engage an individual in the process of design and provides a gateway into its own and other visual languages, critical discourses and an increasing diversity of professional and personal opportunities.

The essential premise of the degree course's philosophy is explored through the understanding and knowledge of the material and technologies and the potential for designing and learning through making, to provide an intellectual as well as 'hands on' currency in creative work for the 21st century.

BA Ceramic Design seeks to explore and challenge the versatility of clay both as a creative and functional medium - a material that is universal and unique, sustainable and enduring, whilst also being both one of the oldest and newest technologies. Its classic characteristics can be developed into an almost infinite range of products and future contexts.

We help you to establish networks, which we believe are fundamental in linking methodology to practice through real world exposure. Positioned at the heart of these is ceramics, with its potential to engage with other subjects and disciplines - making explicit a unique pattern of experience that links education to industry, business, arts, science and technology, reflecting national and international lifestyles.

By definition, these networks create a constantly evolving curriculum, which you can react to and also propose new opportunities, looking to the future of the subject from a position of 'anything might be possible' including:

• The mass produced, the multiple and the bespoke
• The manufactured and the crafted
• The illustrative, the ornamental, the decorative
• The social, the cultural, the iconic, even the ironic
• The sculptural, modelled and monumental
• The technological and the experimental
• The architectural, installation and the environmental
• The responsible, ethical and sustainable
• The high tech and the low tech.

BA Ceramic Design runs for 90 weeks full time over three years, and is divided into three Levels (or Stages), each lasting 30 weeks. The whole degree course is credit-rated at 360 credits, with 120 credits at each level (stage).

The Diploma in Professional Studies provides you with the optional opportunity to secure an industrial placement (or series of placements) related to product design to be carried out over 20 weeks in an additional year between stage two and three. The DPS is an additional award credited at 120 credits.

Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications the Levels for a BA are: level four (which is stage one of the course), level five (stage two) and level six (stage three).

There's a progression point at the end of each level and, in order to progress, all units of the preceding Level must normally have been passed.

If you're unable to continue on the course a Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) will normally be offered following the successful completion of level four, or a Diploma in Higher Education following the successful completion of level five.

To gain a BA (Honours), students must successfully complete 360 credits. The final award consists of marks from level six units only, weighted according to their credits.

Autumn term
Monday 24 September 2018 – Friday 7 December 2018
Spring term
Monday 7 January 2019 – Friday 15 March 2019
Summer term
Monday 15 April 2019 – Friday 21 June 2019

• 2016 Degree Show website
• 2015 Degree Show Instagram
• 2013 Degree Show website

Course outline

During the three stages of the degree course you will have staff-led projects at the beginning leading to self-determined and individually negotiated programmes of work towards the end of stage two and all of Stage three.

You'll use practical and CAD production skills such as modelling, casting, moulding, throwing, handbuilding, decorating, glazing, drawing, printing and firing and translating these explorations into creative work.

You'll learn by experiencing a range of design outlooks. BA Ceramic Design focuses in particular on three complementary approaches, through which your creative practice and learning style can usually be identified and from which projects are constructed.

Design by practice, introduced in stage one, focuses on the making experience and the intrinsic qualities of objects and materials.

Design by project explores design within distinct parameters. Introduced in Stage Two, the process is often linear with specific outcomes and points of delivery.

Design by concept, introduced in stage three, takes a more fluid approach. Highly reflective and research based, it focuses on building a framework for design thinking.

Towards the end of Stage two and throughout Stage three you'll draw on these methodologies in your self-initiated projects. These descriptions are not exclusive - they often overlap, and the way you negotiate them helps you develop your own design process while being able to use other approaches in differing professional contexts. Stage three is the most integrated of all the stages, mirroring as far as possible the challenges you might expect to meet in professional practice.

Areas of study - BA Ceramic Design has closely interrelated areas of study, delivered through project work, lectures, seminars, group tutorials and assignments. Areas of study are:

Ceramic design studies comprises studio practice, which is the main vehicle you will use to articulate your creative ambitions. applied technology, contextual studies and personal and professional development are embedded into studio practice and provide a critical framework for understanding, exploring and developing your personal and professional expression of design through the ceramic material (and where appropriate through other materials).

Applied technology provides specialist teaching, technical instruction and access to technical resources in order to explore craft, manufacture and production, and so underpins the Studio Practice element including health and safety awareness. Applied technology also embraces the study of clay, glazes and computer-aided design, e.g. Photoshop, Rhino and Illustrator. These introductory sessions will be largely timetabled in stage one and two, but it is expected that you will investigate and build on these areas as continuing development of your ceramic design practice.

Contextual studies is embedded into all units of the course. Additionally, there are discrete elements in stages one and two, and a dissertation in stage three. Contextual studies explores precedent and circumstances, methodologies and histories, theories of production and consumption, criticism and communication, purpose, potential and audience. Through 'contextual studies' you'll learn to reflect on your understanding of research, development and practice and to the kind of analysis, evaluation and synthesis that help you to identify your critical position or attitude.

Personal and professional development gives you the skills and knowledge you need to be an active member of a learning community, to become a self-sufficient learner, and to be able to enter the professional world and manage your subsequent career development.

Bigger picture unit brings together students from across the school to work in mixed groups. The unit promotes critical thinking through the presentation of ideas, debate and discussion, and requires you to consider your subject in a wider context and to position your practice within the ‘ bigger picture’ of cultural production and meaning making.

BA Ceramic Design Programme Specification 2018/19 (PDF, 160KB)

Industry collaborations

Working with paying clients on live briefs will give you valuable commercial experience which may mean your work being taken forward for production or, if so desired, in the purchase of your intellectual property. All paid projects are conducted within a carefully developed legal framework, which includes student agreements to protect your work and help you realise its commercial value.

Recent client projects in the Product, Ceramic and Industrial Design programme include: Nespresso, Roche Bobois, John Lewis, Canal and River Trust, Action Dog.

Once you’ve graduated, you may be picked as part of a small team to work on a live creative brief, organised by our Business and Innovation department, under the supervision of an experienced tutor. This can be a valuable first step in working professionally in a chosen discipline and has resulted in graduates being hired by clients.

Facilities

• Casting

  Find out more about our casting workshops

• Ceramics (1st floor)

  Find out more about our ceramics facilities.

• View all facilities

Staff

Course Leader:Anthony Quinn
Stage One Leader:Duncan Hooson
Stage Two Leader:Emma Lacey
Applied Technology Tutor: Helen Walsh, Anna Barlow
Contextual Studies:Alex Fraser
Contextual Studies:Dr Elizabeth Wright

Associate Lecturers:
Matt Raw
Barnaby Barford
Kathryn Hearn
Clare Twomey
Sue Pryke
Patricia Van den Acker