Course Description
BA Ceramic Design embraces and challenges the versatility of clay as a creative and functional material. On this course, teaching focuses on design through making and haptic engagement with the material. You will apply clay to a diverse range of contexts and design opportunities. The course promotes the idea that working with the material forms research within the curriculum. Students are often drawn to the wide range of possible design applications. These range from the handmade bespoke object to public sculpture, performance and installation.
On the course, the studio and workshop culture are important. The course team work to foster a vibrant designer-maker-community. You will benefit from excellent workshop facilities as well as the support of specialist technicians. You will learn both traditional hand skills and digital production skills. This includes throwing, modelling, casting, moulding, handbuilding, decoration, glazing, drawing, printing and firing. As well as hands-on techniques, the course will also provide you with an intellectual framework. You will examine the potential of ceramics to progress into other visual languages, critical discourses and a wide range of professional opportunities.
BA Ceramic Design aims to send its students out into the world as confident and critically aware designers and makers. Teaching is delivered in relation to professional models of practice. Through self-initiated projects, you will question, articulate and present your ideas. The course also has links with a range of practitioners and external organisations. This provides opportunities for collaborative projects. Previously, these have included Armourcoat, the British Museum, Busaba Eathai, Clayground Collective, Ella Doran, Joseph Joseph, Marks & Spencer, Sebastian Bergne, Stanton Williams, The Conran Shop, Thorsten van Elten, Traidcraft, Vista Alegre and Wedgwood.
Course Content
BA Ceramic Design is designed to help your professional development. You will learn practical and digital production skills. You will translate these explorations into creative work which engages with professional communities across the breadth of the subject – from art, through craft and into design. You will develop your own visual language, while also learning transferable skills to suit a variety of work environments. Stage 1 is immersive in the material, its visual language, history and typologies. In Stage 2, you will expand on these skills and begin to work in collaboration with others.
The course is student-centred, enabling you to identify and expand on your own strengths. Your learning will encompass a range of design methods. In particular, the course focuses on three key methods: Design by Practice; Design by Project; and Design by Concept. You will draw on these methods in self-initiated projects. They are not exclusive and often overlap, but, your exploration of them will help you value your own design process.
Across the three stages of BA Ceramic Design, studio practice is the main component of the course. Supporting studies include specialist technical teaching; contextual studies; and personal and professional development. These elements provide a critical understanding, so you can explore and develop your work with the ceramic medium.
Stage 1
Unit 1: Ways and Means: Introduction to Study in Ceramic Design Contexts
Unit 2: Making through Design by Practice
Unit 3: Personal Language in Ceramic Design
Unit 4: Modus Operandi
Stage 1 focuses on developing an awareness of material. It encapsulates the traditional ideal of “practice makes perfect”. Regardless of prior ceramics knowledge, you will be introduced to a broad spectrum of skills and processes. You will also be introduced to your community of practice through a series of London-based studio visits. In Stage 1 you will be introduced to Design by Practice, which focuses on the making experience and the intrinsic qualities of objects and materials.
Stage 2
Unit 5: Manufacturing and Materiality
Unit 6: Bigger Picture
Unit 7: Design Contexts
Unit 8: Design Reflections
In Stage 2, you will begin to apply the skills learnt in Stage 1 to potential real-world design opportunities. This includes a series of workshop-based activities which engage with the subject and its relationship to the wider design field. You will explore how you can translate these approaches into personal and group design outcomes.
In Stage 2 you will be introduced to Design by Project, which design in response to specific briefs or areas of research. You will also be introduced to Design by Concept, a highly reflective and research-based approach.
Stage 3
Unit 9: Integrating Theory and Practice: Dissertation
Unit 10: Research into Practice
Unit 11: Synthesis
In Stage 3, you will grow your own intellectual practice, developing your personal agenda and research approach. You will inhabit a professional persona: the crafts person, designer-maker, artist, or designer for production. These personas are not mutually exclusive and students often transition from one to another.
Industry engagement
The course often engages in industry collaborations and sponsored projects. This ranges from site visits and talks to competitions and consultancy projects. Recent client projects in the Product, Ceramic and Industrial Design programme include: Nespresso, Roche Bobois, John Lewis, Canal and River Trust, Action Dog. Field trips will also help you with industry awareness, professional community and a breadth of practice opportunities.
Exchange opportunities
The course is actively engaged in the University’s Study Abroad scheme, with the incoming international students bringing an important additional dynamic to the course.?
Diploma in Professional Studies
Between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the?course?there is an option to take a year out and complete a Diploma in Professional Studies. This separate qualification (rated at 120 credits) involves researching, undertaking and reflecting on a 20-week (minimum) placement related to your professional interests and aspirations. The Diploma provides a valuable opportunity to make professional contacts and to develop your personal employability skills.?In recent years, BA Ceramic Design students have had placements at Maham Anjum, Simon Stevens Design Studio, Studio Levien and Wanted Design Festival.
Entry Requirements
The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:
One or a combination of the following accepted full Level 3 qualifications:
- Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4) and one A Level at grade C or above
- Two A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology)
- Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology)
- Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
- Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subjects include Art, Art and Design or Design and Technology)
- Equivalent EU/international qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma
And three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*–C).
Entry to this course will also be determined by assessment of your portfolio. A very high proportion of successful applicants complete a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
AP(E)L – Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning
Exceptionally applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
- Related academic or work experience
- The quality of the personal statement
- A strong academic or other professional reference
Or a combination of these factors.
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
English language requirements
IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Assessment Methods
- Portfolios
- Supporting materials
- Essay
- Presentations
- Collection of works
- Research reports
- Projects
Additional Information
Course dates
Autumn term:
Monday 16 September 2019 – Friday 6 December 2019
Spring term:
Monday 6 January 2020 – Friday 13 March 2020
Summer term:
Tuesday 14 April 2020 – Friday 19 June 2020
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BA in Ceramic Design (Full Time)
University of the Arts London
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BA in Ceramic Design (Full Time)
University of the Arts London