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In a nutshell

The Artist Designer Makers Foundation Degree will teach you how to creatively develop your own style, reflecting the imaginative way you see and communicate with the ever-changing world.

This course is for you if...

... You have creative flair
... You have skills and interests in design, craft and making
... You want to develop your skills to progress towards a career in design, craft and making.

What will I be doing?

The FdA Artist Designer Maker is a course that has making at its heart. You will gain hands-on experience with materials from metals, glass and ceramics through to wood and textiles. Using traditional techniques along with the latest technology to create new and original ways of making.

You will develop your own unique style and consider where your work sits within creative practice. You will learn from professional practicing artists, designers and makers, sharing in their passion and acquiring new skills.

• Ceramics - Modelling, throwing, mould making, casting, firing and glazing
• Metal - small metalsmithing with copper, brass and silver, welding, soldering, and enamelling
• Wood - Joinery, marquetry
• Glass - Casting, fusing, slumping and painting
• Textiles - Stitch, print and construction
• Digital fabrication - 3D printing, laser cutting, 3D digital modelling, scanning, digital stitch, digital print textiles

You’ll learn to work independently, creatively and critically in a variety of contexts, as we support your enthusiasm to design, manufacture, market and sell your own work.

We’ll support you in developing professional skills in every assignment, including creative problem solving, project management, working to a brief and completing work to a deadline.

Through continuous self-reflection, you will develop and identify personal strengths, helping you to recognise transferable skills and how they’ll be useful for future employment.

Modules include:

Year 1

Subject: Exploring the field of Making - 40 credits

Subject: Developing your own practice - 20 credits

You will start your first year with workshops that introduce you to the materials, processes and equipment you will need for creative practice – from ceramics, textiles, wood, small metalsmithing, glass and digital fabrication. You will also explore the key concepts in practicing art and design through making.

Collaborate with clients- 20 credits*

This work related module will allow you to demonstrate competency in the key skills and tasks relevant to a chosen route. This will require you to apply theorectical aspects of your study in work-related activities through client briefs and or live competitions.

Exploring concepts - 40 credits

You will be introduced to the wider world of ideas, theory and contextual studies to help you develop your academic research skills and critical thinking. You will focus on particular areas of interest in study groups and become familiar with the exciting trans-disciplinary research in Art & Design.

Year 2

Creative practice- 40 credits

In this module you will move outside your comfort zone taking risks and experiment with material process and new technologies. You will develop your skills in key areas – from ceramics, textiles, wood and metal through to 3D printing and laser cutting. Through peer critiques, themed seminars and tutorials, you will reflect on your artistic strengths and interests and present your research back to the group.

Exploring Industries- 40 credits*

This module is split into several areas: Practical business skills development, understanding the mature of entrepreneurship within art and design, the key steps in personal development in promoting your work and work related experiences. The programme encourages personal development by utilising work related activities within the field of designer makers.

Developing your own creative critique- 40 credits

By critiquing literature, journals and exhibitions, you will develop your ability to put your design practice into context. You will also have opportunities to interact with students and staff and delve deeper into your areas of interest. In this module you will increase and develop a personal stance from which to address a particular research interest that will form the foundation of Level 6 research.

You will enjoy a varied programme of cultural and inspirational trips, locally, nationally and internationally, giving you the opportunity to visit galleries and other relevant locations that will inform and enhance your work.

You will be part of a diverse creative environment which provides you with access to all kinds of industry standard facilities, benefitting from both traditional and high-tech equipment. In both years you will have your own dedicated workspace and the opportunity to work with a range of other specialist workshops and facilities in the college.

You will be assessed via coursework and a portfolio. Upon completion you will achieve the Foundation Degree in Artist Designer Maker accredited by Cardiff Metropolitan University.

This will be delivered at our Crosskeys Campus.

What is expected of me?

You should be able to manage your own time, know your programme of study, attend and engage in your classes, always have a sense of purpose and seek help whenever you need it.

What comes next?

This course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience for a career in artist design, craft and making or, to progress for a final year on to the Artist Designer: Maker BA (Hons) degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Additional information

This course is franchised by Cardiff Metropolitan University.

The programme can be studied full time or part time.

Mandatory

Artist designer makers Materials Kit: £TBC

London Trip: £50

Exhibition Printing Costs: £30 - £50

Travel Costs: £100

Not Mandatory

International Trip: £400-£1000