Design Degrees Online

MICA’s Ceramics Department provides a highly individualized course of study within an atmosphere of strong community. It strives to foster the development of a student’s personal voice through engagement with the media as a point of departure towards experimentation and exploration. The ceramics curriculum supports the development of technical skills within a framework of innovation and interdisciplinary thinking. Students are involved with the traditions and contemporary trends in the ceramic medium and actively engaged in critical inquiry. Immersed in this rich intellectual environment, students understand themselves within the landscape of contemporary art and culture, and through the study and research of ceramics, they learn and explore its incredibly varied role in fine and applied arts, industry, and design. The development of confidence in one’s own ideas is stressed as the critical motive that drives the means and methods of making meaningful work. Students bring their strong personal convictions to class to learn from each other and the College’s resident and visiting artists.

Ceramics core requirements help build competence, moving from structured learning to increasing levels of independent research and self-direction. The Ceramics Department works closely with the other departments in sculptural studies and across the institution and encourages its majors to explore their work through a wide variety of media. Elective choices in sculptural studies, as well as the generous number of open studio electives in the major provide opportunities for interdisciplinary work and the healthy exchange of ideas among all areas of the College. Ceramics elective courses provide focused, thematic, or technical options, and experiences ranging from the traditional to industrial processes, from the archaic to the newest in technologies.

In the junior year, ceramics majors join with the majors of the other departments in the sculptural studies area – fiber and interdisciplinary sculpture – to take Junior Seminar. The curriculum culminates with a capstone experience that combines a critically written senior thesis and artist’s statement, professional development, and the creation of a thesis body of work. The year-long Senior Independent (ranging from 6 to 12 credits for the year) grows out of a student’s own research and direction and culminates with their participation with seniors from the sculptural studies area to participate in the College-wide Commencement Exhibition.

Internships are encouraged, with the most popular at Baltimore Clayworks. Advanced students are encouraged to participate in the ceramics world at large, including attending national ceramics conferences such as the National Council for Education in the Ceramic Arts.

The 6,000-square-foot ceramics facility consists of a spacious studio work area with separate senior studios. Adjoining the studio is a well-ventilated clay mixing and storage room and a glaze preparation and application area. Other specialty equipment includes two pneumatic extruders, a mold-drying cabinet, and an area for mold making and slip casting. The department’s kiln room features 12 electric kilns, including a glass-slumping kiln; several small test-fire kilns; six 7-cubic-foot kilns; a 17-cubic foot tall sculpture kiln; and a 21-cubicfoot large kiln. The department also has two Bailey gas kilns purchased in 2004, a 12-cubicfoot downdraft, and a 31-cubic-foot downdraft shuttle kiln. Raku firings are done in two 8-cubic-foot kilns in the department’s outdoor courtyard area. Wood firing opportunities are regularly scheduled at off-campus facilities. The department also maintains a research room that houses a reference library of images (digital and slides), books, magazines, computer facilities, equipment for photographing artwork, and a seminar area.

Painting in contemporary media and societal context. Focus figurative painting. Design and techniques of image to canvas to wall painting techniques in interaction with other artistic techniques (photography, video, as part of various control strategies.

Development of a modern redefinition of Applied Arts / Applied Arts and a personal profession through participatory approach, thematic tasks and transdisciplinary approaches, and partnerships with the private sector.

Mastery of practical skills and knowledge for professional practice, such as costing, preparation of portfolios, texts, presentations.

Residential Interiors — Diploma

ENHANCING QUALITY OF LIFE

Interior designers believe that the quality of life can be enhanced through what they call “the built environment,” which includes office, retail, and commercial spaces as well as homes. For people with college experience who want to enhance their skills for their current positions or begin a completely new career, the residential interiors diploma program offers an opportunity to develop basic skills for entry into this popular and growing industry, skills applicable to all aspects of interiors, but especially residential interiors. The program provides a solid foundation for a variety of entry-level positions in the residential interiors industry, from furniture showrooms and materials suppliers to trade marts and major department stores, and more.

What You’ll Study

• Begin with a foundation in software for the applied arts and 2-D design.

• Move on to architectural drafting, 3-D design, interior space and textiles.

• Learn the history of design.

• Finally, bring these skills together in residential design development.

Career Opportunities

With a solid base of knowledge and understanding in the fundamentals of residential interiors, graduates can seek entry-level positions at trade marts, with furniture galleries or textile showrooms, as sales representatives, as suppliers to the trade, and as assistants to interior designers.
Total Credit Hours: 48
6 Quarters

Careers
The Art and Design course at the University of Worcester is a suitable foundation for careers in:
Media/web design
Publishing/graphic design
Interactive multimedia
Teaching/educational research
Fashion and textile design
Arts administration
Applied arts
Museums and art galleries
Self-employment

The subject area is host to A2AA, a National Artists Access Scheme, funded by CHEAD and the Arts Council of England. This scheme gives four young professional artists access to studios and art facilities at Worcester.

BA Hons Art and Design
Art and Design [BA Hons] - UCAS Code: EW12 B BA/AD
Year of Entry: 2009
Entry Conditions
You must satisfy the general entry requirements for admission to a first-degree programme. Submission of a portfolio is required. Guidance on the characteristics of the portfolio can be found here. You are also interviewed.

A Level
A minimum of 160 UCAS Tariff Points to include grades CC.

Irish Leaving Certificate
160 UCAS Tariff Points to include CCCC.
Duration and Mode of Attendance

Three/four years
The Programme

This innovative programme allows students to pursue an interdisciplinary practice route supported by theoretical studies in art and design historical and contextual studies. Students select one discipline from the Fine & Applied Arts: Painting, Sculpture, Lens-based, Jewellery, Textile Art, Ceramics, Photography, and one discipline from Design: 3D Design (Interior, Product, Furniture), Visual Communication. This selection, alongside core Art & Design allows students to pursue new and inventive approaches to visual practice.
Structure and Content

Year 1 introduces you to a range of personal learning skills that underpin Art and Design practice. Reflecting on understanding your own creative visual enquiry is emphasised at this stage as is learning awareness and critical dialogue.

Year 2 you will deepen your study into creative Art and/or Design practice as a holistic integration of your personal learning. This involves further developmental combinations of scholarship at a creative level.

On completion of Year 2, some students spend a year’s placement within a selected area of Art and/or Design practice or study, returning for a final year of study to complete their degree. Those who successfully complete their placement receive the additional award of Diploma in Industrial Studies. Others, who successfully study, usually at a University in the United States of America, received the added award of Diploma in Area Studies.

In Final Year you establish a primary role in unfolding the nature of an individual creative course that forms the basis of your own practical and theoretical work. A significant degree of self-initiated learning is expected at this important stage. This anticipates the independent creative skills necessary for our graduates communicating and working in the many growing and changing areas of art, design and visual creativity today.
Careers And Postgraduate Opportunities

The disciplines embraced by this exciting course programme can effectively position successful graduates in numerous areas of employment offered by all areas of contemporary art and design work. In addition the breadth of skills learned is also very suitable for postgraduate study along with more technologically and traditional led art and design routes. The quality of the course has meant that many past graduates have gained employment and also successfully completed Postgraduate Certificates in Education (PGCE) as well as MA studies and PhD studies.

The Bachelor of Applied Arts - Interior Design program provides four years of full-time study to students wishing to pursue a professional career related to the design of the built environment. The curriculum integrates professional and general studies content with an emphasis on critical thinking and applied research, and is enriched with an additional focus on international perspectives in interior design.

The program contains a strong experiential component that includes simulated studio experiences, community-based design initiatives, and a 14-week co-op work term. In their fourth year of study students are given the opportunity to specialize in an area of interest specific to the profession and are required to complete an applied research paper. This integration of theory, analysis, and practice prepares graduates to assume leadership roles within the profession. Graduates of the BAA - Interior Design will be able to apply strategic thinking and a research orientation to their responsibilities as professional interior designers, and will contribute to the development and evolution of the field of design.

This program meets the eligibility requirements for CIDA accreditation at the first professional degree level. The program also qualifies graduates to meet industry standards as established by official interior design professional bodies (IDC, ARIDO, NCIDQ, ASID).

This program is part of the Mobile Computing (laptop) Initiative at Algonquin College, which will better prepare students for an increasingly technology-oriented workplace. The curriculum has been designed to take advantage of student-centred learning and the possibilities afforded by working in a technology-enhanced environment. Students in programs that are part of the Mobile Computing initiative will be expected to own a laptop that meets College specifications.

SUCCESS FACTORS

You would be an excellent fit for the Bachelor of Applied Arts - Interior Design program if you:
Are curious about the spaces in which you live, work and play;
Would like to combine aesthics, technology and human need into a highly marketable career choice;
Enjoy using creative, strategic and critical thinking to solve problems;
Are interested in examining sustainable and global design issues;
Would like to take part in a 14-week paid coop program and graduate with a baccalaureate credential.

BA (Hons) Applied Arts offers you the opportunity to study within a vibrant studio and workshop environment, encouraging the exploration and manipulation of a wide range of materials including ceramics, wood, metal and plastic. An open, speculative approach to the generation of ideas is encouraged in order to foster individual skills in the development of concepts and the use of materials and techniques. The course emphases the importance of individual creative expression, the application of ideas and offers the opportunity to work in a wide variety of creative practices.

Throughout the course you are encouraged to develop as reflective practitioners, and to adopt an increasingly independent approach to your work. You will have your own workspace and will benefit from well-equipped workshop and studio facilities. All tutors are practicing designer/makers providing an insight into the professional world in addition to knowledge and inspiration.

Our specialist resources and facilities include:
digital media studios
ceramic, metal, wood and plastics workshops
jewellery workshops
3D Printer and Laser cutter
dedicated studio space.

BA (Hons) Applied Arts offers you the opportunity to study within a vibrant studio and workshop environment, encouraging the exploration and manipulation of a wide range of materials including ceramics, wood, metal and plastic. An open, speculative approach to the generation of ideas is encouraged in order to foster individual skills in the development of concepts and the use of materials and techniques. The course emphases the importance of individual creative expression, the application of ideas and offers the opportunity to work in a wide variety of creative practices.

Throughout the course you are encouraged to develop as reflective practitioners, and to adopt an increasingly independent approach to your work. You will have your own workspace and will benefit from well-equipped workshop and studio facilities. All tutors are practicing designer/makers providing an insight into the professional world in addition to knowledge and inspiration.

Our specialist resources and facilities include:
digital media studios
ceramic, metal, wood and plastics workshops
jewellery workshops
3D Printer and Laser cutter
dedicated studio space.

For the most up-to-date information on the courses and programs offered through the Drafting and Design Department please click on the degree/certificate titles below to review the 2008-2009 catalog for GRCC. Architectural Technology - Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences (page 79) and Computer-Aided Engineering/Mechanical Design - both Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences and Certificate programs (pages 82-84) are listed. The course descriptions for Architecture, Drafting, and Engineering begin on page 138.

Graphic designers create visual solutions for a variety of print and electronic media. MATC’s Associate in Applied Arts degree program in Graphic Design introduces the design principles of print and computer-generated graphics for books, manuals, newspapers, magazines, websites and many forms of advertising. You will also study balance, composition and color; typography; illustration; and layout. Job titles include art director, graphic designer, web designer, layout artist, illustrator, production artist, prepress technician, web designer and imaging specialist. Core skills include good color and depth perception, visualization ability and a talent for visual problem solving. Communication and computer skills are a plus.