Design Degrees Online

The focus of an MA by Project is a self-originated substantial body of independent work. The research project may be practice-based, or developed as a thesis. The project may involve the development of design(s), artwork(s), craftwork(s), artifact(s), article(s), musical instrument(s), or research on existing examples of the above, or processes for the production or development of the above, submitted as a body of practical work with accompanying reflective and critical report. Alternately, the research can be written up and submitted as a dissertation, undertaken by proposing a project to be carried through within a supportive and structured framework.

The course welcomes applications for projects concerned with developing drawing practices, as well as projects concerned with researching the parameters of drawing in a social context.

Visual Communication Credit Requirements

Sophomore
3 Type 1
3 Image Making & Meaning
3 Video, Printmaking, or Media Arts
3 Drawing, Painting, or Illustration
3 Sculpture or Ceramics
3 Studio Electives
3 AUC Other Cultures or Academic Requirement
4 AUC Science/Tech. or Academic Requirement
3 Mathematics or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective
0 Sophomore Review*

Junior
3 Type 2
3 Issues in Design
3 Design Systems
3 Experimental Typography
3 Studio Elective
3 Intro to Photography
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Western Heritage or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Social Context or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective
0 Junior Review*

Senior
3 Problem Solving
3 Sequential Graphics
3 Senior Project
3 Senior Portfolio
3 Special Topics in Design, Design Internship, or Masterclass
3 Studio Elective
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective
6 Unrestricted Electives

*all students must pass a departmental review prior to undertaking further course work. It is strongly suggested that students intending to major in VCD also pursue a minor beginning in the sophomore year. In the event that a no-pass is earned in the review, it may be easier for the student to shift the minor to a major and graduate in a timely manner.

Sculpture Credit Requirements

Sophomore
3 Introduction to Sculpture
3 Introductory Ceramics I
3 Visual Communication Design, Drawing, Illustration or Painting
3 Photo, Video, Printmaking or Media Arts
6 Studio Electives
3 AUC Other Cultures or Academic Requirement
4 AUC Science/Tech. or Academic Requirement
3 Mathematics or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Junior
12 Sculpture electives: Installation and Site-Specific Sculpture, Introduction to Figure Modeling, Public Projects and Proposals, Introduction to Foundry Processes, Introduction to Glass Fabrication, Intermediate Figure Modeling, Intermediate Foundry Process, Figure & Context
6 Studio Electives
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Western Heritage or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Social Context or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Senior
6 Advanced Sculpture I & II
3 Directed Projects in Sculpture
6 Studio Electives
3 Ceramic Elective
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective
6 Unrestricted Electives

Printmaking Credit Requirements

Sophomore
3 Lithography I or Etching I
3 Visual Communication Design, Drawing, Painting, or Illustration
3 Photography, Video, or Media Arts
3 Sculpture or Ceramics
6 Studio Electives
3 AUC Other Cultures or Academic Requirement
4 AUC Science/Tech. or Academic Requirement
3 Mathematics or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Junior
3 Lithography I or Etching I
3 Printmaking Elective (Relief, Monotype or Book Arts)
3 Etching II
3 Lithography II
3 Drawing I: Figure
3 Introduction to Painting
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Western Heritage or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Social Context or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Senior
6 Printmaking Studio I & II
3 Drawing II
6 Printmaking Electives (Relief, Monotype or Book Arts)
3 Studio Elective
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective
6 Unrestricted Electives

Drawing Credit Requirements

Sophomore
3 Illustration, Painting or Visual Communication Design
3 Sculpture or Ceramics
3 Photo, Video, Printmaking, or Media Arts
3 Drawing I: Traditional
6 Studio Electives
3 AUC Other Cultures or Academic Requirement
4 AUC Science/Tech. or Academic Requirement
3 Mathematics or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Junior
3 Drawing I: Figure
3 Drawing II: Traditional
3 Drawing II: Non-Traditional
3 Introduction to Painting
3 Drawing Elective
3 Introductory Illustration
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Western Heritage or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Social Context or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Senior
6 Advanced Drawing I & II
3 Intermediate Painting I or II
3 Drawing Elective
6 Studio Electives
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective
6 Unrestricted Electives

Painting Credit Requirements

Sophomore
3 Drawing, Illustration, or Visual Communication Design
3 Sculpture or Ceramics
3 Photo, Video, Printmaking, or Media Arts
3 Introduction to Painting
6 Studio Electives
3 AUC Other Cultures or Academic Requirement
4 AUC Science/Tech. or Academic Requirement
3 Mathematics or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Junior
6 Intermediate Painting I & II
3 Painting Composition
6 Drawing I: Figure, Drawing II
3 Printmaking
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Western Heritage or Academic Requirement
3 AUC Social Context or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective

Senior
6 Advanced Painting I & II
6 Special Topics in Painting or Independent Study
3 Studio Elective
3 Art History or Academic Requirement
3 Academic Elective
6 Unrestricted Electives
3 Drawing Elective

The course centres on the development of practical skill and the expansion of design ideas. It is project-based, with many live industry projects which provide insight into professional jewellery contexts. These are supported by lectures, seminars, demonstrations, workshops, field study visits both in London and abroad, as well as personal research. The projects are complemented by a broad-based Cultural Studies programme that introduces historic and contemporary knowledge, concepts and theories and features visits from specialists in the field.

The course develops cultural, business and professional awareness as well as communication and IT skills. Work becomes increasingly self-directed through the course. You will build towards a detailed proposal for and the production of a Graduation Collection expressing your creative identity and technical abilities.

Stage 1
In the first year, the emphasis is on learning practical skills and originating ideas. Projects combine design exercises, drawing and model making to support the learning of these skills. To complement the practical work there are lectures on the history and social context of jewellery, textiles and fashion and visits to galleries, museums, and workshops to acquaint you with researching and sourcing information.

Stage 2
By the second year you undertake a series of projects that introduce a range of professional contexts in which a jewellery designer might work. More ambitious design problems, concepts and solutions are experienced through extensive exploratory design development.

Stage 3
The final year gives you the freedom to demonstrate your individual identity, expressing your creative ideas in a way that will provide a springboard for your career or for further study. Your work becomes self-directed, underpinned by a written commentary on its progress. With tutorial guidance, you will develop a Graduation Collection which gives you the opportunity to demonstrate self-expression and a broad range of design and making skills. You will also be required to write a proposal for your Graduation Collection providing a rationale for your design decisions.

Aims and outcomes
The course aims to:
provide the knowledge and skills to design and make jewellery of excellent quality
establish an historical, social and cultural context to inform your designs
establish individual artistic identity
impart understanding of professional and industrial contexts of jewellery
facilitate both independent and team work.

Jewel Design / goldsmith’s art

The main subject jewel design / goldsmith’s art of Sint Lucas Antwerp profiles itself as a national and international artistic laboratory in the field of jewelry / objects. The studio is a laboratory, a place where students research their personality and vision development (iconographic, technical, philosophical ,…). We ask students to engage in the search for standards of contemporary design and personal content in the field jewelery / objects. Research and experimentation are crucial. The search is essential, is continually questioned, leading to a synthesis of relevant images. Juweel Design offers the widest possible artistic and theoretical framework with questions about:
the significance of the body in relation to the gem / object,
the significance of the jewel / object as a means of communication and / or statement,
the significance of the jewel / object as an independent medium in a broad artistic and social context.

Interior design is a rewarding and challenging profession. You work with other professions to create the spaces that we experience every day.

Interior designers develop spaces tailored to the needs of the people who use them. They must consider the user’s emotional and physical needs, and relate them to situations from nightclubs to museums.

You must be talented and capable of creating outstanding interiors appropriate to their function. We teach you to blend expertise from subjects including • human psychology • building construction • sociology.

You learn through practice in a creative, lively and dynamic environment. Working alongside artists and designers from areas such as • architecture • furniture design • graphic design • product design, you develop your skills through a series of projects.

Our lecture programme helps you understand your work in a wider historical and social context. You look at how interior design relates to existing and emerging technology, and how it must respond to issues such as • lifestyle • culture • history • environment.

By exploring different approaches to design, we help you develop your creativity and achieve your potential. You graduate with the skills, expertise and creative thinking needed to resolve complex and varied interior design problems.

The role of the graphic designer is expanding constantly as visual communication needs become increasingly demanding. This course will enable you to meet these demands by helping you to develop your ability to think strategically and create clear, meaningful and appropriate work. It will encourage you to become open and sensitive to changing cultural, social and political climates, and, while seeing the big picture, demand perfection in the detail.
What will you study?

You will work on a number of challenging, experimental projects using a wide range of media to develop your intellectual aesthetic considerations and your technical understanding. Projects are often run with other students and professionals, such as musicians, scientists, product designers and architects, as a way of offering an opportunity to explore and develop dynamic and innovative communication.

The business and social context of communication design is covered in two series of six-week seminars. Your masters project will culminate in a gallery assessment show, which will include your professional portfolio of supporting work.
Research areas

Many of the staff in the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture are research active. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.

Course structure

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.
Modules
Design Group Projects
Design Projects
Designer and Society
Designer and the Market
Individual Design Projects
Master’s Project
Interdisciplinary Practice Research