Modelmaking
Course
In Poole
Description
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Type
Course
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Level
Intermediate
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Location
Poole
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Duration
3 Years
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Start date
Different dates available
With an international reputation, BA (Hons) Modelmaking is a leading course in its field, enabling students to progress into the diverse world of professional makers. We’ll equip you to become an independent thinker, capable of solving problems and taking imaginative leaps in creative design.
The engaging and creative course will be your stepping stone to an exciting career in making.
With access to the latest technology and traditional resources, you will learn to make things using an extensive array of materials, tools, and techniques. You will develop the making skills needed for rewarding careers in film, architecture, exhibition, and design. You will develop as an independent thinker, who is capable of solving problems, and taking imaginative leaps in creative design and making.
You will work on live collaborative projects with students from other courses and with industry professionals. Using our strong links with the creative industries, you will have opportunities to undertake work experience with leading companies in the UK and abroad.
Our graduates have progressed in their careers to run departments at Pinewood Studios, RSHP, Foster + Partners, Chalk Studios and Rusty Squid. This course has been the first step in the journeys of many successful graduates, leaders, and innovators. You will get the opportunity to work in our award-winning and purpose-built ‘CRAB’ Drawing Studio, which was designed by Professor Sir Peter Cook RA.
You will also work in Passiv Haus and our well-equipped Printmaking Studio.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
The course combines independent learning and structured taught sessions.
Teaching includes guided studio sessions, inductions, demonstrations, specialist workshops, individual and group tutorials, seminars, group critiques, lectures, and study visits. These are delivered by a course team of industry-experienced professionals. The teaching is further supplemented by the invaluable input of visiting professionals, supplying the course with a wide range of current skills and industry knowledge. Work experience and company visits also provide highly valuable learning opportunities.
Independent learning includes studio practice, research, analysis and critical reflection. Teaching by the course team is directed at supporting you in managing your learning. You are encouraged to develop strategies for independent learning and time management on each unit of study and this responsibility progresses as you move through the levels of the course where the use of a statement of intent becomes an integral part of the process.
The skills that this course encourages are applicable to many other industries too. There are few courses that offer the range of experience that we can, and we have a very good reputation among those who are looking for reliable and well-prepared graduates to employ.
Graduates of this course have worked at the architectural practices of Foster + Partners, Rogers Stirk Harbour, AHMM and many others. Films including Harry Potter, Thor, Captain America, Troy and Clash of the Titans feature the work of our graduates.
We’re particularly interested in exploring how you have responded to a given brief from your school or college. We’ll expect to see written as well as contextual work, with samples of three dimensional pieces you have produced (ideally the pieces themselves or a photographic record of them).
Reviews
Subjects
- Technical Processes
- Material manipulation
- Mould making
- Finishing techniques
- Digital modelling
- Designing
- Problem Solving
- Aesthetic
- Creative
- Professional
Course programme
Level 4 (first year)
Your first year introduces you to the core skills of a professional modelmaker. These include making processes and techniques, design thinking, and the essential function of the model as a form of communication.
You’ll challenge, reframe and develop your previous assumptions about skills, methods, thought processes, and representation to build the necessary foundations for professional practice. Teaching seeks to move you swiftly from ‘rule-seeking behaviour’ to independent decision making.
You’ll explore design ideas, critical thinking, visualisation skills and interpretation. You’ll attend specialist demonstrations and practical studio and workshop sessions.
Level 5 (second year)
In the second year, you’ll continue to develop your understanding of modelmaking as communication. Interpretation and representation are studied and practiced in a variety of different professional contexts.
You’ll turn your attention outwards to clients, industry and society as a whole. Engagement and interaction with industry, audiences and consumers (in the form of live briefs where possible) are integrated into the curriculum, as is research, reflection and the use of writing to develop understanding.
We’ll encourage you to develop interests and lines of enquiry which will inform the choice of creative and career directions in the third year.
Teaching seeks to facilitate your self-discovery and to build your confidence in pursuing independent paths in skill development, reflection and inquiry, and in choosing career directions.
Level 6 (third year)
In your third year, you’ll work on more in-depth and complex studio projects and carry out a major theoretical piece of research.
The direction of the course and of your decision-making is firmly towards the outside world as characterised by clients, the industry and audiences.
As part of this, there is a continuous process in which you are expected (through research and work experience) to ‘benchmark’ standards of performance, and to define, manage and meet your own personal standards of excellence.
You’ll carry out a ‘live’ or simulated project, working to a client-led brief which must succeed within the constraints and expectations of the commercial world. You’ll learn about the professional aspects of model making and running a business.
Your final major project is designed to promote your professional intent, direction, creativity, individuality and strength in your specialist area.
Your third year traditionally culminates in a show in London where you can meet potential employers.
COURSE STRUCTURE
All students are registered for the award of BA (Hons); however, exit awards are available if you leave the course early, having successfully completed one or two levels. If you successfully complete a level of the course, you will automatically be entitled to progress to the next level.
For the award of a Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 120 credits at Level 4. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the first year of your course.
For the award of a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), you must have achieved a minimum of 240 credits of which a minimum of 120 must be at Level 5. This qualification may be awarded if you leave the University following successful completion of the second year of your course.
For the award of a BA (Hons) you must have achieved a minimum of 360 credits of which a minimum of 240 must be at Level 5 or above, of which a minimum of 120 credits must be at Level 6. This qualification will be awarded upon successful completion of your course.
A BA without Honours may be awarded if you have achieved 300 credits, at least 180 of which are at Level 5 or above, and at least 60 of which are at Level 6.
Additional information
Modelmaking