CertHE Ceramics & Glass CertHE

<strong>Subject to Validation</strong><br/><br/><br/>* Our CertHE Ceramics and Glass course allows you to discover the beauty of these craft materials in a programme that emphasises hands-on skills development and the importance of designing through making.* <br/><br/><br/>CertHE Ceramics & Glass explores the functional and decorative elements of these rich materials, enabling you to take them in unique creative directions. This course is an opportunity to learn to expertly use these enduring materials through their industrial and studio-based legacies to prepare you for a creative career.<br/><br/>Our experienced tutors, specialist technicians and our programme of visiting lecturers/artists, will introduce you to an array of applications and approaches in ceramics and glass in order to introduce you to a community of designer/makers rooted in workshop culture.<br/><br/>You’ll have opportunities to focus on either ceramics or glass, or develop skills in both materials. In ceramics, you’ll be introduced to a variety of hand-building techniques and batch production methods such as mould-making, wheel-throwing and slip-casting. In glass, you’ll explore a comprehensive range of techniques including glassblowing, kiln-formed glass, coldworking and lampworking. <br/><br/>Beginning with the design planning and iterative making, you will have the opportunity to experience traditional processes alongside digital technologies so that you can combine the two. You’ll have access to Fab Lab South West, which is used for CNC milling models for ceramic and glass mouldmaking, laser cutting, waterjet cutting and 3D printing clay. Learning is student-centred in order to develop your conceptual and material confidence, shifting from lecturer-set briefs to self-initiated project proposals.<br/><br/>You will have opportunities to enhance your professional communication skills to gain an understanding of the different audiences and contexts for your work. By exhibiting work, participating in craft fairs, being exposed to international design forums and competitions, we will help you define the creative profile needed to sustain your creative practice.<br/><br/>You’ll discover the practicalities of setting up your own small business, how to market your work globally, defining what characterises your style, and driving your learning experience beyond the studio walls in order to become an independent self-sustaining designer/maker. Following successful completion of the course, you have the option to continue on to our BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices course at Level 5, or join our Workroom Grow incubator to begin to work as an independent craft business. <br/><br/>As part of the larger university, you work alongside students from many other creative disciplines, and lectures provide the historical and critical understanding of craft, enabling you to see your work in the wider context of contemporary art and design. Our ambition and outlook for our students is international, and you will be given the opportunity to visit events such as the British Ceramics Biennial, International Glass Festival, the Contemporary Craft Festival and New Designers.