Introduction
This course provides an opportunity for you to achieve a high level of professional craft and design skills in jewellery and silversmithing. The course is based on projects which integrate contemporary design skills with workshop practice, producing pieces both by hand and mechanical means. The main emphasis is on exploring ways of manipulating metal with relevance to the jewellery and silversmithing industry.
Introduction
If you are interested in developing practical hand skills and wish to gain a broad knowledge of manufacturing processes used in the jewellery and silversmithing industry, then the HND course is for you.
The course is based around traditional techniques and projects, which also involve new technology including lasers, Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacture.
The course has an excellent reputation for highly employable graduates with practical understanding of the needs of the industry. Students benefit from collaborative projects and sponsorship from companies.
Your learning experience
This is a design-based course, which encourages students to be creative within structured projects. Each project involves a new technique or process. This enables individual, functional pieces to be constructed in precious and non precious metals.
Knowledge and skills are developed through ‘hands on’ experience in the workshop and students benefit from demonstrations given by experienced practitioners in the field. These practical experiences help students to decide on their preferred scale of work, whether jewellery or silversmithing.
Ideas are developed and problems solved through drawing, model making and practical experience of materials, tools and techniques.
Instruction in 2D and 3D CAD software programmes help students to build a professional portfolio. This is used for a mock interview and is excellent preparation for employment within the industry or progression to the BA Jewellery & Silversmithing - Design for Industry top-up degree course.
The HND course has forged strong links with industry through live competitions, which has led to employment opportunities for graduates.
The practical focus of the course is balanced with personal research to develop intellectual thinking. Field trips and study visits support an understanding of commercial manufacturing environments.
Alongside workshop practice and demonstrations, a variety of different learning and teaching methods are employed on the course. These include Lectures, Seminars, Critiques, Team Work, Presentations, Tutorials, Online Learning, and Self Directed Study.
If you wish to the push the boundaries of jewellery and silversmithing, challenge traditional conventions, and create experimental objects in materials other than metal then we suggest you visit our BA course.
Our learning environment
The course is delivered exclusively at the School of Jewellery, in the heart of Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter and is a specialist subject specific facility providing students with an outstanding learning environment. It is Europe’s largest institution for training and education across the specialization and benefits from the expertise and involvement with new technology that exists in its JIIC (Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre).
For further information visit Our Building and the JIIC.
Key Facts
- Achieve a high level of professional craft and design skills, focusing on the manipulation of metal with relevance to the jewellery and silversmithing industry.
- A unique and prestigious learning environment - founded in 1890, the internationally-renowned School of Jewellery is the largest school of its kind in Europe.
- Based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter where an estimated 40% of jewellery is made in Britain today - premium exposure to industry practice.
- Near to the Jewellery Industry Innovation Centre (JIIC) – outstandingly equipped, with an international reputation for its ‘concept to prototype’ approach to new product development.
- Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) with local jewellery manufacturing companies provide key links for competitions and potential employment.
- Technology aspects of the course, and its industry relevance, recognised through sponsorship and support from companies such as Delcam, Domino and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.