MA Art & Design

Program Overview

The MA Art & Design program fosters innovative and practice-based approaches to creative inquiry, emphasizing interdisciplinary experimentation and conceptual understanding. Through hands-on experience in various specialisms, students develop their visual language, research skills, and professional context. The program culminates in an independent major project that showcases students' research, development, and conceptual understanding, preparing them for careers in diverse creative industries.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• The MA Art & Design course is designed for artists and designers seeking to develop innovative and practice-based approaches to creative inquiry.
• Emphasizes interdisciplinary experimentation, conceptual understanding, and the exploration of the value-informed nature of contemporary art and design.
• Cultivates awareness of the ethical dimensions of art and design and encourages students to navigate interdisciplinary perspectives.
• Provides hands-on experience in various art and design specialisms, empowering students to work independently and collaboratively.

Outline:

• Study Block 1 (Autumn Term)
• Experimental Practice (40 credits)
• Focuses on skill development, exploration of materials and methods, and concept generation.
• Students engage in individual and collaborative projects to strengthen their foundational understanding and develop their visual language.
• Research Practice (20 credits)
• Introduces advanced research methods and critical thinking skills.
• Students examine case studies and apply research methodologies to underpin their creative work.
• Study Block 2 (Spring Term)
• Focusing Practice (40 credits)
• Encourages students to focus on their individual creative direction and pursue specific areas of interest.
• Engages students in live and industry projects, fostering the development of autonomy and portfolio building.
• Creative Futures (20 credits)
• Explores art and design in a social context, addressing critical, technological, environmental, geopolitical, and ethical issues.
• Provides opportunities for work experience, professional collaborations, and the development of a professional context report.
• Study Block 3 (Summer Term)
• Independent Major Project
• Culminates in the production of an independent project that demonstrates the student's research, development, and conceptual understanding.
• Involves the writing of a critical rationale that reflects on the implications of the project.

Assessment:

• Visual and written assignments and projects
• Regular crits and project reviews with tutors and peers
• Professional context report
• Participation in live and industry projects
• Final Independent Major Project and critical rationale

Teaching:

• Led by industry-active professional designers, artists, visual communicators, and researchers with expertise in contemporary art and design practices.
• Employs specialist workshops, guest lecturers, project briefings, regular 1:1 and group tutorials.
• Encourages individual skill development and a sharing and collective learning environment.
• Provides comprehensive academic contact and studio access.

Careers:

• Graduates pursue careers in museum and gallery management, commercial design, fine art, visual communication, craft practice, fashion design, education, and as freelance artists.
• Past students have worked at Pentland Brands, Esquire Magazine, Vivienne Westwood, Fashion Crossover, Wyre, Gorilla TV, and other companies in the creative industries.