BA(Hons) Contemporary Crafts
Ceramics. Glass. Wood. Metal. Plastic. Paper… Whatever materials interest you, our innovative approach to design and making will help your creativity soar. Covering a broad range of skills and processes, all with making at their heart, Contemporary Crafts at Falmouth gives you the opportunity to explore both traditional processes and digital technologies. Our high-specification facilities, progressive technology and staff of practising designer-makers will help you develop exciting and original approaches to your work.
Our innovative and flexible approach means you'll have ample opportunity to experiment and discover your own artistic voice, pushing the boundaries of existing practice. Through community projects, site-specific work, exhibitions and self-negotiated projects, you'll learn how to drive design concepts forward from idea to final product, working with both traditional and revolutionary techniques, from maquette making to computer-aided design (CAD). You'll gain a solid grasp of the core principles of design through the manipulation of materials, as well as a broad range of related craft skills – helping you to develop your creative ideas. You'll also have the opportunity to work on a number of live projects with museums, galleries, gardens and businesses.
BA(Hons) Contemporary Crafts benefits from the unique history and landscape of Cornwall, as well as the facilities and resources of our acclaimed Design Centre. A collaborative design environment, this inspiring space provides the opportunity for shared practice with other undergraduate design courses, so you can develop critical thinking and craft skills that work across design and art disciplines.
Key facts
UCAS code W271
When October 2014
Where Penryn Campus
Course length 3 years full-time
To get a place
A typical offer is between 260 and 300 UCAS points, equivalent Level 3 qualifications or relevant experience. You may be required to submit some work to help us decide who to interview.
How is the course taught?
Full-time, practice-based and very intensive, you'll be taught through training and technique sessions, workshops, seminars and one-to-one tutorials. You'll receive high-level instruction from our technical specialists and be expected to participate in workshops and talks from visiting professionals as well as attend performances presented through our public programme.
Where could it take me?
- Work in a design studio
- Setting up your own workshop or studio
- Work in community arts projects
- Work with museums and art galleries
How you're marked
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations
What you'll do
Stage 1
In your first year, you'll be given a thorough practical introduction to a wide range of materials and processes, trying your hand at everything to see what interests you the most. You'll develop a sound technical and production knowledge that will help you explore and innovate, reinforced with theoretical, professional and contextual understanding to strengthen your grasp of studio practice and processes.
Stage 2
As your experience grows, you'll have the opportunity to hone in on the materials and processes you'd like to specialise in. You'll also take a closer look at the designer-maker's audiences and identity, different forms of professional engagement and a deeper level of critical theory and practice, while also working in student teams on live projects for real clients.
Stage 3
As your confidence grows, you'll gradually work more and more independently. Exploring your own ideas and interests, you'll negotiate and complete a project of your own, as well as a contextual research project. Your final year also presents an external brief for you to respond to; planning, managing and producing your work to prepare you for professional life after graduation.
Our courses
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Acting
core training, devising, improvisation, performance, production
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Animation & Visual Effects
design, drawing, film, scriptwriting
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Choreography
dance, performance
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Contemporary Crafts
applied art, ceramics, design, glass, jewellery
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Creative Advertising
art direction, branding, copywriting, marketing, social media
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Creative Events Management
Events, marketing, production, promotion
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Creative Music Technology
composition, game audio, performance, sonic art, sound design
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Creative Writing
english, poetry, screenwriting
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Dance
ballet, choreography, performance
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Digital Media
communication design, interactive media, production
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Drawing
fine art, illustration, visual arts
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English
creative writing, literature, media
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English with Creative Writing
literature, poetry, screenwriting
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Fashion Design
fabric technology, illustration, pattern cutting, styling, textiles
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Fashion Marketing
Garmet design, brand management, communications, manufacturing, trend forecasting
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Fashion Photography
digital imaging, fashion film, stills photography
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Film
documentary, film criticism, film journalism, production, screenwriting
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Fine Art
digital imaging, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture
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Graphic Design
advertising, branding, editorial, interactive design, packaging
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Illustration
creative writing, drawing, storyboarding
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Interior Design
drawing, making, spatial design, styling
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Journalism
broadcasting, feature writing, news, online journalism, publishing
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Marine & Natural History Photography
biodiversity, landscape, underwater and wildlife photography
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Music
classical, composition, jazz, performance, popular music, world music
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Music Theatre
composition, drama, performing arts
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Performance Sportswear Design
fashion, textiles
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Photography
digital imaging, editorial, stills photography
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Popular Music
composition, marketing, music publishing, performance, sound engineering
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Press & Editorial Photography
documentary, news, photojournalism
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Sustainable Product Design
3d design, product design, sustainability, user-centred design
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Textile Design
digital printing, mixed media, screenprinting, weaving
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Theatre
devising, directing, drama, performance, writing
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Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
digital imaging, drawing, illustration, printmaking, sculpture
Successes
Student awards include:
- Five students took part in the Sinopticon exhibition at Plymouth City Museum alongside Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry
- New Designer of the Year 2010 at New Designers
- Students have created work for and exhibited at Hampton Court Flower Show, Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, Port Eliot Festival, the National Trust and more
