Material Practice - MSc

You’ll spend Semester One on collaborations based in various workshops across Edinburgh College of Art. Taking in glass, textiles, metal, architectural materials and digital fabrication, these short projects will help develop your understanding of the individual qualities and behaviours of different materials.

In the second semester, you’ll work on two in-depth collaborative projects that are cross-disciplinary and cross-material in nature. Both will address a contemporary issue through the lens of material practice.

One of the projects typically focuses on The Circular Economy, with students reusing recycled materials such as dredged residue from Scottish Canals (2014/15) and ground glass, aluminium and sisal (2015/16).

There are talks and workshops by guests including Ian Lambert and Mark West, opportunities for collaboration with companies such as Martec Engineering, Ecoscreed and the East African Sisal Company, visits to industry events such as the Textiles Futures Forum, and the chance to participate in special, one-off projects (this year’s was a record-breaking attempt to build a 35m ice bridge in Finland).

The skills you’ll gain throughout the programme will lead you towards the development of a major research project tailored around your own aims and experience, with support and guidance from an appropriate tutor.

Last year, Charlie Patterson’s research project was to develop a technique for 3d printing bespoke garments using silicone. He subsequently developed the process for medical and sports performance/recovery applications, coming second place in the University of Edinburgh’s annual LaunchEd competition for entrepreneurial ideas.