Thinking through Making module (DJ11002)

This four-week module is taken by all Art & Design general Foundation students in first semester. You will work in an art studio alongside other students.

During the module, you will focus on the topic of 'Making'. You will explore working with different materials and construction methods. Using these, you will create three-dimensional forms.

You will conduct visual research into artists and designers processes. Along with your own practical material exploration this will form the key elements of the module.

The module has a single project within it. You will be provided with abundant supporting material. This is intended to inspire you and allow you to develop practical project work and to do effective research. You will also be provided with a written brief and an introductory lecture.

You will engage with materials and their manipulation from the start of the project. This will allow you to learn and discover through making and hands-on practice.

You will study examples of both artists and designers work. You will also consider three-dimensional making in a wide context. This is a good way of discovering how your approach and thinking aligns with art. Whether sculpture and installation, or design with form, function, or ornamentation.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• learn what your choice of materials can communicate. You will also learn what their potential uses might be
• take part in practical exploration of materials and construction methods through experimentation
• learn the ways artists and designers use materials to communicate ideas and create dimensional forms.

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• expand your capabilities of handling materials. You will be able to appreciate how materials and objects can influence and inform visual practice in both art and design
• document and present your work effectively

Assignments / assessment

• coursework (100%)
  • You will have been documenting your physical artwork through photographs throughout the module. This will be presented as a 10-page pdf document containing images and accompanying text.
  • You will also reflect on your own studies and evaluate your own performance and what you have learned

This module does not have a final exam. 

Teaching methods / timetable

Learning will take place in a studio environment and lecture theatres. You will also learn through independent study.

You will be taught through:

• one-to-one tutorials
• group tutorials
• lectures
• practical workshops
• online learning materials