Fine Art & Design – Ceramics

This course is structured around a series of demonstrations and project work covering the full spectrum of 3D design methods. Advanced methods for building, joining and manipulating clay, surface treatment including texture and colours as well as glazing and firing processes are covered.

The first term will have an emphasis on furthering technical and material skills as well as visual research methods. Subjects covered include a variety of building techniques such as coiling, slab work, mould making and slab moulding, sculptural building, surface decoration through creating textures, painting with oxides and coloured clay as well as various printing techniques onto clay.

As the course progresses students will be encouraged to engage with more self generated subjects and incorporating this into their making. Students will engage in research of personal source images and contemporary ceramic practice, drawing, experimentation with materials. Students are required to develop their visual notebook on a continuous basis.

Subjects covered include, exploring a variety of clays, making and use of moulds, building and glazing techniques, 2D/3D drawing processes for idea development, generating ideas using the notebook, experimentation with materials. Teaching strategies include; tutor led demonstrations, student presentations, critiques and discussions.