The National College
Ceramics, Glass & Metals
BDes in Craft Design (Ceramics, Glass & Metals)
BA in History of Art and Design and Craft Design
The objective of the course is to provide a balanced programme of education and to assist students in fulfilling their personal vocations as innovative craftspersons and designers by developing creative ability and establishing technical fluency within their chosen craft specialisation.
Course Description
After successfully completing First Year (Core), selected students can specialise in Ceramics, Glass & Metals.
Year 2 is project based. Students specialise in either ceramics, glass or metals to develop a personal creative identity and proficiency in design and technique. In Ceramics, the techniques covered include throwing, handbuilding, slipcasting and glaze chemistry; in Glass, blown glass, stained glass, kiln forming, cutting, blasting and engraving; in Metals, basic and advanced jewellery, silversmithing and forging.
Year 3 is project based. Students will be involved in individual set projects which foster the development of their personal work.
Additional projects further explore major aspects of technique.
Erasmus exchanges and field trips to Europe take place during this year of study.
Year 4 is a major self-motivated, staff-monitored project. It is seen as a period of creative exchange, questioning and exploration resulting in the presentation of a body of personally motivated work for examination and exhibition.
Drawing is an essential aspect of the course. Besides set classes, students are expected to maintain their own self-motivated drawing programme. This builds towards a portfolio that will form part of the degree examination.
Projects form an integral part of all years of study. In all three areas, the student's work can take the form of consumer products or one-off pieces.
Projects in collaboration with businesses such as Arnotts, Waterford Crystal, Evian Water, Rosemount Wines and Cookson Precious Metals have been a regular feature of the course. A number of these involve the National Museum of Ireland.
Twenty percent of the course for each year is devoted to studies in Visual Culture and, in the final year, the preparation of a thesis.
Career Prospects
Graduates of this course have pursued careers as self-employed designers, makers or applied artists setting up their own workshops. Some graduates have entered the teaching profession at secondary and university level. Colleges where graduates now teach include Birmingham Institute of Art & Design and Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology. In addition, they have found employment both at home and abroad in established businesses, such as small and large scale potteries, foundries; jewellery, stained glass and glass blowing studios. Museums and galleries have also employed our graduates.
Graduates have successfully applied for post-graduate courses at home and abroad.
Click here to visit MetalsRepublic.ie 2008 Graduate Showcase
Click here for Entry Requirements and Application Procedures
Download: BDes in Ceramics. Glass & Metals (PDF 176k)
