Jewellery Design

The notion of body adornment has existed and evolved over millennia, ranging from the functional to the decorative; communications of personal narrative and social statement contained within wearable, evocative objects. Cultural developments and innovative applications of methods to materials have always been at the heart of jewellery making and students on this course will be challenged and encouraged to apply innovative and creative thinking to a range of materials, using both traditional making processes and new advancements in technology.

This is the only stand alone jewellery degree course in Wales and its structure focuses on practical, hands-on workshop sessions, delivered to small groups in well equipped workshop spaces. Tutor contact time is second to none and students will be taught by experienced and dedicated individuals, each with their own creative practice, offering different perspectives. During the first year of study, students will have the chance to explore practical skills ranging from metal forming, fabrication, laser cutting, enamelling and casting. Alongside this, students will undertake drawing workshops which are considered crucial to the development of design and observational skills, they will also develop a deep and informed theoretical knowledge of the field of jewellery.

During the second year of study, our team of highly motivated staff are focused on facilitating students to identify their individual creative voice through a combination of structured workshops and independent study, honing both practical and critical skills which are further strengthened through group crits with peers and one to one tutorials. By the third year students are able to specialize in select skill sets, refining their unique creative identities in a supportive, inclusive environment alongside developing transferable skills for employability within the creative industry, individual studio practice or creating one off pieces for exhibition. Students will also have the opportunity to exhibit their final year work at New Designers in London.

Year 1 – A skills based year delivered through a series of tutor led workshops and independent practice.

Year 2 – A developmental year devised to allow you to apply the skills gained in year one to identify personal strengths and areas of interest within a range of industry relevant contexts.

Year 3 – A personal negotiated brief which allows you to consolidate your practice and build a portfolio in preparation for future progression and personal ambitions, culminating in an opportunity to showcase your work in a final degree show.

Assessment is on-going through workshop plenary sessions, critiques, formative and summative assessment with aural and written feedback.