Jewellery and Objects with a Foundation Year - BA (Hons)

The purpose of this first contextual studies module is to provide you with an introduction to the ideas that are important to the discipline. It will also enable you to begin to develop your research, writing and critical thinking skills and to communicate your ideas and learning effectively. The learning you engage with here will inform your studio practice and enable you to participate in academic research, reading and writing throughout your course.

This module introduces you to a range of techniques, processes and materials core to the discipline of Jewellery and Object making through exploration and practice. You will observe demonstrations and participate in a series of inductions to equipment, processes and techniques, which you will then be expected to explore and experiment with further in order to develop independent learning, alongside problem solving skills and attain an appropriate level of craftsmanship.

This module will continue to develop your knowledge of materials, techniques and processes, and challenge your understanding of the breadth and depth of possibilities within the field of jewellery and objects. You will be introduced to explorative methods that focus on developing ideas and design. You will explore research topics and be introduced into identifying personal lines of inquiry and appropriate individual methods of development. You will explore a range of methods to enable you to reflect, solve problems and evaluate your creative practice.

This modules is designed to introduce you to a range of ornamental surface techniques, processes and materials within the discipline of Jewellery and Objects through demonstration and practice. It will encourage exploration and experimentation with techniques and processes to develop an innovative approach to surface and ornament, whilst demonstrating high levels of craftsmanship.

In this module you will be introduced to the fundamental techniques and processes used in metalwork for creating non-wearable objects through demonstrations and practice.
You will participate in a range of set exercises to expand your developing knowledge of materials, technical ability and skills through the production of technical samples and final outcomes.

In this module you will be introduced to fundamental hand-making skills through the production of samples, test pieces and a finished piece of jewellery. You will develop an understanding of traditional jewellery techniques and finishes that represent the term fine jewellery.

The science of gemmology is inextricably linked with jewellery, and an understanding of gemstones is essential for anyone involved in the manufacturing, repairing, buying or selling of fine jewellery. Today’s professional gemmologists face constant challenges as advances in synthetic gemstones and gemstone treatments become ever more sophisticated.

Diamonds are the most commercially important gem material with a huge global market. The history and market value of this precious gem material influences consumer attitude towards jewellery, and provides a subject for ethical debates around the world.

This module allows you to gain an insight in to the luxury end of the jewellery retail market through developing detailed knowledge and understanding of the grading systems used to determine the value, categorisation and certification of diamonds.

In this module, you will learn how to use Computer Aided Design (CAD) as a tool for supporting and supplementing traditional bench skills. This module will introduce you to the very basics, quickly building up your skills and allowing you to design and develop sophisticated 3D digital models which are suitable for production through the myriad of new technologies becoming increasing available in Computer Aided Manufacture.

In this module you will be required to engage with a range of practice methodologies and carry out sustained, in-depth exploration of different materials, processes and techniques through the development of your own ideas.

You will be encouraged to demonstrate an increasingly critical and analytical approach to your practice as well as to establish inquisitive and experimental attitudes to self-generated ideas that illustrate your developing personal artistic language.

This module further develops students understanding of research methodologies and the ways in which research approaches and methods inform and support studio practice across a range of outputs.

You will be supported in developing independent research and studio practice with the view to identifying and applying your learning to an individual project in preparation for ongoing Study.

This module aims to widen your studio practice and deepen your engagement with the chosen discipline. You will explore larger scale and broader ranging work beyond the context of wearability, to produce outcomes which convey a sense of themselves to the viewer and you will also communicate a developing personal aesthetic.

The purpose of this module is to enable you to explore a range of ideas and concepts that relate to our identities, and the degree to which these can be said to reside in our physical bodies.

You will be introduced to key ideas in seminars, where you will have the opportunity to discuss the concepts themselves and explore how they find expression in a broad range of artefacts from the expanded field of jewellery and objects. You will be encouraged to extend your knowledge of this research context through independent research, and to build up your own bank of examples, artefacts and performances that exemplify the material covered in the seminars.

This module will introduce you to a range of materials encouraging you to undertake your own exploration of how a chosen material can be manipulated to achieve a variety of aesthetics. Alongside developing your knowledge of materials you will also develop critical thinking skills about how materials are/can be used to convey meaning in the field of Jewellery and Objects and within the broader context of art and design.

This module allows you to start to think about the idea of luxury and how it can be defined. You will expand your thinking to encompass the luxury sector of the market and explore the global significance of luxury jewellery brands, particularly how celebrity endorsement impacts on the perceptions of what luxury is.

You will consider the significance of brand heritage and examine whether reliance on loyalty to a brand can be maximised. You may also investigate how luxury brand extensions can be utilised. You need to understand how an emerging brand can find their identity through innovative and luxury marketing strategies.

This module provides an opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and skills to an external, professional brief. The brief will be set by an external client/ agency, in consultation with your supervisor, and it could be a ‘real life’ problem to be solved, or a simulation.

The module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create an interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff. Collaboration is a vital employability skill within the Creative Industries and this module allows you to develop these skills, making use of University facilities and with the support of academic staff.

The purpose of this module is to enable you to develop professional attributes and subject skills through experience in the work place, and to critically reflect upon your learning in that context. You will normally be expected to arrange your own placement, with support from academic staff and ADM Careers+.

The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed research project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. It is important that we can support you appropriately, so you will be guided towards choosing a research topic which is relevant to your discipline and in which your lecturers have expertise. The outcome may take the form of a written dissertation or a practice-based portfolio.

This module enables you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and theoretically informed practical Studio project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. This will take place within a studio group context relevant to your chosen specialism and under the tutorage of a BA Tutor. You will work alongside like-minded peers to further enrich your enquiry. The outcome will take the form of a practice-based portfolio of Artefacts, Research and Design Development.

This module is designed to develop your ability and confidence to enable further material and processes research and apply design development and project management to your own initiated studio project.

You will propose, develop and realise a self-directed studio-based project focused on your own specific interests. You will be expected to evaluate appropriate methods of working for your project that articulates your identified field of interest.

The overall aim of this module is to enable you to develop communication skills with which you may articulate your work to a high standard of professionalism, it will enable you to identify potential career opportunities which span the breadth of the discipline. This module you will explore key transferable skills which will enhance your employability and entrepreneurial skill sets. This module prepares you to launch a career within the creative industries as an industry graduate.