Craft Practices - Books & Binding

Official Course Title: Foundation Degree Arts – Books and Binding

Study at a specialist college with the assurance of a university qualification. Develop your passions and reach your potential in a small, welcoming environment within a community of like-minded people.

Why choose West Dean?
An international reputation for excellence in conservation and arts education.
94% of students studying at the College* felt the programme had enhanced their skills and abilities (*2019 student survey)
A rich arts environment and a focus on craft skills with vocational application.
Be inspired by the unique historic character and beautiful South Downs setting.
Located close to Chichester and the South Coast, with easy access to London.

The Course

The Foundation Degree in Arts, specialising in books and binding, is designed to give you well-rounded theory and craft skills in using papers, cloths and leathers to bind books so you can set up as a maker and craftsperson, continue your studies in higher education in crafts or conservation, or find employment in the creative industry sector.
In the first year students develop bench craft skills in paper and leather. Project work focuses on using appropriate materials, processes and techniques. Core studies include materials technology, technical drawing and historical/contextual studies. During this stage of the course students begin to develop an understanding of the relationship between material, technique and meaning.
In the second year of the course, students further develop their skills and begin to explore the development of historically inspired new work and/or an introduction to the conservation of books. Core studies focus on business and professional skills such as pricing, record-keeping, tax and insurance, marketing and intellectual property. Most students will have the opportunity to complete a period of work placement.

You can expect

To develop excellent practical skills
To learn how material properties influence practice and making
To learn about historic book-making techniques and their application in contemporary contexts
To learn from dedicated and experienced tutors who are practicing professionals and well-connected in the sector

Learning environment

Low student: tutor ratio
Workshop access 8.30am-9pm, 7 days a week
Interdisciplinary environment
Visits from practicing crafts-persons and specialists from the heritage and private sectors
Visits to museums and active links with heritage bodies
Work placements and work-related projects

Exceptional facilities
You will work in our specialist books and binding workshop which is equipped with a full range of tools and individual workspaces. Collaboration with other disciplines makes for a uniquely enriched learning environment.
Facilities:
Dedicated book binding workshop, Photography space, IT suite, Specialist library

Teaching
You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, external trips and visits and workshop practicals. In addition, you have personal tutorials with your subject tutor.
At level 4 you typically have around 18-19 contact hours per week. At level 5 you typically have around 16-17 contact hours per week.

Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars and workshop or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and preparing coursework assignments and presentations.

Overall workload

Level 4: 53% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 633 hours
Independent learning: 567 hours

Level 5: 50% of your time is spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity
Scheduled teaching and learning: 600 hours
Independent learning: 600 hours

HC-M1 Materials Technology: delivered in pathway workshop and cross-curricular, HC-D1 Drawing and Aesthetics, HC-R1 Study/Research Skills, HC-M2 Materials Technology: delivered in pathway workshop and cross-curricular, HC-H2 History of Craft, HC-C2M1/C/F/ME Craft Skills, HC-P3 Professional Skills incl. work placement, HC-C3MI/C/F/ME Applied Projects, HC-P4 Professional Portfolio Modules may be subject to change.