From studio to collection

As the countdown begins to the 2026 Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) Undergraduate Degree Show, I can feel the buzz starting to build. For me, this moment is always a powerful reminder of the incredible artists and designers who launched their careers from these very studios and have gone on to make their mark on the world.

Every May, I watch as the University’s Crawford and Matthew buildings are transformed for one week into a vibrant and bustling contemporary gallery, as over 450 students present the culmination of four years of experimentation, development, and ambition. For me, it always feels like both an ending and a beginning – a celebration of what has been achieved, and a glimpse of what is yet to come. 

Bringing together final-year work from 13 disciplines across DJCAD, the Show allows me to see the full breadth of our talent, from fine art and illustration to design and digital media. It’s always a highlight to see our students present their work to a wider audience for the first time. I’ve seen this exposure lead directly to work placements, internships, paid employment, commissions, and scholarships that launch their professional lives.  

The DJCAD Collection 

While the Degree Show may be temporary, there is a legacy left by each graduating cohort. In my role as Museum Curator, I see firsthand how the show’s energy translates into a permanent archive.  

Over the past 25 years, nearly 400 pieces of art and design have been purchased from graduating students at their Degree Shows for the DJCAD Collection, which is cared for by the University of Dundee Museum Services. These works form part of a nationally important public museum collection of nearly 9,000 items telling the history of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and its staff, students, and alumni. 

For many years, DJCAD retained work produced by its students, but as the Degree Shows attracted larger audiences and became more of a commercial platform for graduating artists, the decision was taken in 2000 to start purchasing work instead.  

I now have the privilege of working with course leads to develop a wish list of works we would ideally like to acquire. Not everything we want is available – some pieces are not for sale, some are already promised elsewhere, many are beyond our limited budget – but we always end up with an exciting selection of works.  

A springboard for success

Beyond building a collection, these purchases provide a vital boost at the very start of a creative career, as well as potentially acting as a direct springboard to major commissions. Two of our graduates reflect on how contributing to the DJCAD Collection supported them in ther careers.

For me, it’s a joy seeing how the collection captures these student stories for the future. It’s a living resource - you’ll find pieces on display in our Tower Foyer and Lamb Galleries, or perhaps you’ve spotted them in meeting rooms and corridors across our three campuses. Far from sitting in a store, these works are used daily in teaching and research, helping us inspire prospective students at Open Days and reaching a global audience through our digital platforms and the national Art UK website. 

A launchpad for creative talent

It’s incredibly rewarding to look back and see that so many DJCAD graduates have gone on to achieve remarkable success. Among them are winners and nominees of the Turner Prize, the Oscars, BAFTAs, RSA awards, Scottish Designer of the Year and many other notable accomplishments. Others have taken on influential roles across the creative industries, from User Experience Lead for Google and Senior Designer for Saatchi & Saatchi to the Brand Creative Lead for Scottish Ballet and the Editor of the Beano. They all began their journeys right here, in Dundee. The DJCAD Collection represents brand-new talent, bursting with potential.