STUDIES CULTURAL CRITICAL + SCHOOL OF TION COMMUNICA DESIGN + S ARTS + MEDIA SCHOOL OF CHOOL OF
-
1 MAKING AN APPLICATION
A bursary that you won’t have to pay back: Your accommodation guaranteed: If you’re a home (UK) student, you’ll be As a first year student you are guaranteed eligible to receive financial support from Halls of Residence accommodation within the us throughout your studies to help cover city, close to our campus. We work with Host programme and travel costs. As it’s a and Clever Student Lets to ensure you can bursary, you won’t have to pay it back choose suitable accommodation close to our and you’ll still have access to other funds campus that suits your budget. and bursaries if you need them. For more information please see our website.
OPEN DAYS AND INTERVIEWS
Our Open Days are a chance for you and your to attend in January and February, but we friends or family to visit Plymouth, meet and can see you whenever you feel ready. For chat with our friendly programme leaders advice on what we are looking for in terms of and admissions staff, tour our studios and motivation and creative potential, see p4 in facilities, visit student accommodation and our How It Works guide. discuss the best study options for you. Worried about travel costs or already attended Book your place at plymouthart.ac.uk/opendays an Open Day? We can also set up an online and we’ll send travel offers, recommendations or telephone interview. You’ll always be for hotels, and details of workshops and alumni interviewed by a subject expert who will speakers in advance. You’re also welcome to review your digital portfolio in advance. turn up on the day. For more details contact: Interviews [email protected] Our face-to-face interviews take place throughout the year. Most applicants choose
Follow us Contact Details Sign up to receive our regular newsletter and Plymouth College of Art invites to our artist talks, gallery openings, Tavistock Place student exhibitions and more: Plymouth Devon, PL4 8AT plymouthart.ac.uk United Kingdom PlymouthCollegeOfArt PlymouthArt +44 (0)1752 203434 PlymouthCollegeOfArt [email protected] PlymouthCoA
Our prospectus gives you a picture of what it is like to study at the college and a guide to fees and entry requirements at the time of printing in February 2019 for 2020/21 entry.
Always refer to our website for up-to-date and detailed fee and course information.
2 Section 3 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 WORKS IT HOW STUDY BA BEYOND SCHOOLS LABS US ABOUT CONTENTS
20 16 14 12 10 8
Talking glass with Renovat with glass Talking Find your inspiration creativity of a city Plymouth: facts The Make - Live make just Don’t proposition? your What’s 37 36 35 34 33 32 30 Learning Lab Learning Lab Multimedia Lab Material Lab Imprint Lab Fabric Plymouth Lab Fab make to Space 26 24 BA (Hons) with Foundation Year Foundation with (Hons) BA & Design Art in Diploma Foundation UAL 98 94 90 82 80 76 74 68
Acknowledgements Collaborators
Into industry Making learning Meet the graduates the Meet horizons International Penny with fashion Talking Gallery The 14 10 8 6 4 2
International students easy living Making costs it What apply to How for we’re looking What guide - a simple works it How
62 60 58 54 52 44 42 40
Postgraduate studies Postgraduate Artists as teachers: Huma Mulji Huma teachers: as Artists Studies + Cultural Critical of School Peter with design Taking + Communication Design of School Suki with photography Talking + Media Arts of School world the on a view have We 22 17 16 Contact us Contact here Getting Union Students’
4 Contents 5 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 ABOUT US
6 About Us 7 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 WHAT’S YOUR PROPOSITION?
Welcome to Plymouth College of Art, an Our work is as global as it is local, inviting You will work alongside tutors and Because we know that your identity as an independent university-sector art school purposeful partnership and opportunities technicians who are not only experienced artist or designer will come from the horizon, run by artists and designers for artists and for our students within our inner-city educators but highly engaged in the UK not from the boundary line. Your task is to designers, widely regarded as a dynamic neighbourhood, with our global partner creative industries. One-in-eleven jobs are go out into the world in order to discover who catalyst for creative learning and social justice. universities and Erasmus locations, and as now in the creative industries, which in you are. This is the journey of your life, as far afield as Shanghai’s International Art 2016 contributed £101.5bn in GVA to the well as your creative practice, an adventure Our proposition is quite simply that making City project (SIAC), on which the college has UK economy. It is the UK’s fastest-growing that begins here. is as important as reading and writing, as Advisory Board membership. industrial sector, increasing by almost 45% science and maths, and that the purpose between 2010 and 2016, and growing by Plymouth College of Art may not be for of learning is inseparable from that of living As a student it is your energy that interests 7.6% in 2015-16 (more than twice the 3.5% everyone. But it is for anyone who shares our your life. This is a place for making things, us and that we work with here: the emerging growth rate for the UK economy as a whole). values and interests in making and thinking. for making things happen, and for making creative focus of your individual path within In fact, the UK’s creative industries are now Join the movement! a difference. A place of agency. We understand a specialist learning environment of industry- worth more than the automotive, aerospace, that art students are instinctive activists and standard studios and workshops in which your oil and gas, and life sciences sectors collaborators, keen to explore and develop work can truly flourish. combined, and that value is estimated to their creative practice through inquiry in social increase to £130 billion by 2025. Jobs in Professor Andrew Brewerton MA (Cantab) and commercial context. the creative industries, regarded as far more Principal & Chief Executive “Space does not create energy, energy resilient to future automation than those ajbrewerton In 2013 we established a trans-generational creates space.” in other employment sectors, increased by progressive continuum of creative learning 25.4% against a national average of 7.6% from age three to postgraduate level study from 2011-16. with the founding of the Plymouth School Our working environment is widely regarded of Creative Arts in a RIBA and AJ100 award- as one of the richest and most diverse Great news, no doubt. But you know – winning building – The Red House. In 2017 ecosystems of materials, technologies, and we know – that’s not why you’re here. the college was awarded the Social Enterprise processes, practices, art forms and ideas Gold Mark for its systemic commitment that you will find in the form of an art You’re here because you have a calling to community engagement, and in 2018 school. At a time when others are narrowing for creative practice in art, craft, design we created Makers HQ, a fully commercial the range and ecology of their learning and media, and your creative path as fashion manufacturing business with a strong infrastructure, we see it as the natural habitat an artist, designer and maker will lead social enterprise ethos, as a Community of artists and designers and makers, and you into a global market. That is why in Interest Company (CIC) in partnership with that’s why in recent years we have invested 2020, the year in which our city marks Millfields Trust. more than £12 million in both digital and the 400th anniversary of The Mayflower’s analogue dimensions. voyage to America in 1620, Plymouth College of Art will be engaging more than We do this because we know that the ever with the horizon, in every direction, space of learning either offers or withdraws across Europe, North America and China. the possibility of learning, and that there Why the key themes of the horizon – is a kind of creative intelligence, aesthetic human migration, place-making and trans- sensibility and cognitive method that you will generational growth and prosperity – feel only ever acquire at first-hand, in live contact so close to home. with materials and processes.
8 About Us 9 An international experience DON’T JUST MAKE – LIVE MAKE Any history of Plymouth has to include the horizon. We are an international art college, Creativity doesn’t just happen in the studio, workshop or darkroom. It’s a way of life. A welcoming students from around the world lot has changed here since we started out over 160 years ago, but this simple equation of to share ideas and practice, and we encourage making and living still shapes everything we do. our students to explore global opportunities and horizons. We use our onsite exhibition We collaborate it is here because it’s stood the test of time, space, The Gallery, to showcase international We’re an independent, university sector art like our beautiful printmaking presses – still creative artists, and we welcome guest school with an internationally distinctive irreplaceable despite traditional roots. lecturers from overseas at every opportunity, identity. Here you’ll find fashion designers, as well as curating, publishing and exhibiting ceramicists, games designers, fine artists Live what you do abroad ourselves, and arranging exchange and photographers, all sharing facilities We believe that contemporary arts practice Over 160 years of creativity programmes with our partners overseas. and ideas. It’s a truly collaborative cross- is the catalyst for personal, professional Plymouth College of Art was founded in 1856 disciplinary environment. Nationally, we’re and cultural transformation, and in order as the first specialist school of art and design Join us a Founding Associate of Tate Exchange and to achieve this we pride ourselves in providing in the city. Since that time, we’ve retained Throughout this prospectus, you’ll hear from internationally we act as advisors to the high levels of contact time and studio access, our independence, our identity and our ability our students, academic staff and graduates, Cheongju International Craft Biennale. Our not just a few timetabled hours a week. to respond swiftly to emerging trends and who have gone on to blaze their own trails contribution to the creative industries and Living what you do means getting immersed artistic movements. We’ve occupied a number in the creative industries. We hope it gives cultural agenda continues to grow, offering in learning, and that requires constant access of sites in the city, under a number of different you a picture of what life’s like here – the more opportunities each year to collaborate to the facilities, technicians and tuition that names, but the beliefs that hold us together space, the city, the people, the facilities, the with leading artists from around the world. you need to develop. haven’t changed. Social justice – through opportunities. And a sense of the ethos that community impact and social mobility, and drives us – our independence, our intimate Making a difference creative learning – through pedagogical scale, and our faith in making and thinking. We are committed to making a difference innovation, are at the heart of everything that Atmosphere is a hard thing to put into words, in everything that we do. In response to we do. We believe that high-quality education but so many people who come here say the the ongoing drive to marginalise the creative for life is the creative catalyst for personal, same thing: it feels like home. Study here and arts in mainstream education in the UK, professional and cultural transformation. you’ll be choosing somewhere to work hard but we founded Plymouth School of Creative also to create, enjoy, aspire and be yourself. Arts and a dedicated building for Foundation Diploma students. Together, we’re building a progressive continuum of creative learning and practice extending from early years to Masters-level postgraduate study, research and professional practice.
Making time, making space Our tutors are practising artists and designers, and our technicians are highly skilled masters of their crafts. We’re all making something. Some are working at degree level, while others are pre-degree or postgraduate – all are (Left) Public and industry explore the diverse work at our annual contributing to the growth of the creative Degree Shows. industries in the UK. We’re proud of our (Top) Student Molly McCarthy’s big, open studios, our diverse ecosystem of tactile explorations adorn the walls of materials and our inspirational equipment her studio desk. and technologies. Much of it is cutting edge, (Right) Screenprinting gets political at like our digital Fab Lab Plymouth, but lots of Port Eliot festival.
10 About Us 11 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 THE FACTS
1 million newly created Founded in 1856, Plymouth £13 million invested in Between 2010 and 2016 the value Ranked 5th out of 132 jobs by 2030: the number College of Art is over 160 spaces and resources for of the creative industries to the UK UK Higher Education Insti- forecast by a 2017 inde- years old. you to make in. economy increased by almost 45%. tutions for class equality pendent report into the and widening participation. UK’s creative industries.
Opportunities to engage The value of the UK’s creative 3.12 million jobs in the UK PCA–PSCA have created We have invested £30 with more than 80 art industries is 101.5 billion. creative economy in 2017. 300 new direct permanent million capital in Plymouth and creative industry jobs in Plymouth since city centre (2012–18). institutions worldwide. 2011/12.
4,000 visitors to our 87% of creative industry 89% student satisfaction Join an intimate community 90.9% of our full-time UK Plymouth College of Art public gallery every workers are highly resistant with our incredible learning of more than 1,300 under- graduates in 2017 are has attracted £1.4 million year, which showcases to the risk of losing their role resources, including Fab graduate students across employed or in further EU funding (incl. £400,000 contemporary artists, to automation in future. Lab Plymouth, industry- a range of specialist study (DLHE 16.17). match funding). designers and makers. standard facilities and creative degrees. personal studio spaces (NSS 2018).
12 About Us 13 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 PLYMOUTH: A CITY OF CREATIVITY
Located on the coast of Devon in the South West of England, Plymouth is Britain’s Ocean City. With a beautiful waterfront and harbour that includes a lovingly restored 1935 Art Deco lido, and plenty of stunning surrounding countryside, our thriving city offers a wealth of inspiration alongside vibrant culture and world-class events to over 35,000 students.
There’s something special about the way that internationally renowned artists including Ryoji music, art and film blend in Plymouth. And Ikeda, Postcommodity collective, Ciara Phillips, we are actively involved in an intergenerational and Matt Stokes to the city with specially placemaking project that is transforming commissioned, site-specific installations. the city into the regional capital of visual arts – reflected in investment from Arts Alongside the city’s much loved creative Council England. Contemporary arts venues spaces, a host of newly developed centres Beyond Plymouth St Ives is home to Tate St Ives, celebrating like KARST house innovative contemporary for arts and enterprise have recently opened. Just a stone’s throw away is some of the the artistic connections of the town which has art exhibitions and residencies, whilst the The Box is the new home for Plymouth’s South West’s most beautiful coastline, been a destination for artists since Victorian college houses our own well-established museum and city archives, with a £40 million moors and prehistoric woodlands, as well times. Renowned names associated with Gallery and independent arthouse cinema. rebuild set to open in 2020, with seven as exciting creative hubs where you can the town range from Mark Rothko to Barbara You’ll find live music venues where you can large-scale permanent galleries, including discover independent shops and cafes, Hepworth – a must-visit whilst you’re studying catch local and touring bands, as well as collections from the South West Film and exhibition spaces and more. at Plymouth College of Art. Television Archive. The nearby market town of Totnes is home We’ve always loved our city, but lately there’s Meanwhile Ocean Studios in Plymouth’s to extraordinary vintage stores and eclectic an even greater buzz to the place than usual. historic Royal William Yard offers record shops – the perfect destination Come and find out for yourself. collaborative facilities, residencies and for a day of browsing markets, galleries open-space workshops, and is already and shopping. home to a wealth of creative, independent For inspiration and more: businesses – from screenprinting workshops Less than an hour away, the Eden Project is barbicantheatre.co.uk to contemporary jewellers. the world’s largest indoor rainforest and plays fotonow.org host to the Eden Sessions each summer, karst.org.uk Plymouth’s artistic spirit also shines where artists including Björk, Muse, Massive madeinplymouth.org in the Theatre Royal, the largest and best- Attack and PJ Harvey have played intimate nativemakers.co.uk attended regional producing theatre shows in this breathtaking setting. nudge.community in the UK. Our relationship with the theatre oceanstudios.org.uk DIY creative communities and community provides opportunities for collaborations A little further into Cornwall and you’ll find plymouthdance.org.uk interest companies springing up all over and industry experience – it is currently the the small town of St Ives. Nestled into a radiantspace.org.uk the city. venue for our graduation ceremony. hillside and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, theatreroyal.com themarkethall.co.uk Devonport’s £7.2 million Market Hall Plymouth Pavilions draws the biggest names regeneration project, led by the Real Ideas in music and comedy, and the whole city
Organisation, aims to create a digital centre gets involved with MTV Presents Ocean City (Left) Bend reality with experimental for arts, community activity and enterprise, Sounds, an annual music festival attracting installations and events at Radiant creating jobs and opportunities. the likes of Clean Bandit, Rudimental and Gallery. Photo © Dom Moore. Charli XCX – to name a few. (Top) Plymouth a.k.a. Britain’s Ocean The city plays host to major exhibitions, City boasts stunning coastal views. Photo by alumnus James Breeden. including British Art Show 7 (with British Art Show 9 set to return to Plymouth in 2021), (Right) Soak up the sun and sound at MTV Crashes Plymouth; festival We The People Are The Work, Rebel Film headliners include Rudimental, Jess Festival and The Atlantic Project, bringing Glynne, Clean Bandit & Charli XCX.
14 About Us 15 FIND YOUR INSPIRATION 5. KARST “I never know what to expect when 8. OCEAN STUDIOS “There’s always so I walk through the door. It’s the go-to much going on – the industrial space is Plymouth sits on the edge of Dartmoor, the largest and wildest open space in the contemporary art space for exhibitions that so inspiring and has everything from creative South of England assault all of your senses and push the workshops on the Making Table to jewellery boundaries of what you perceive art to be.” making in one of their four fully equipped 1. PORT ELIOT FESTIVAL “This annual 3. TINSIDE LIDO “As soon as it remotely Kate Summerhayes, BA (Hons) Fine Art and workshops. It’s amazing to have so many literature and arts festival has some resembles summer, I’m down here. It’s an MA Fine Art professional arts facilities on offer in one fantastic scenery, its aesthetic alone Art Deco lido from the 1930s, a bit of an place. I often enjoy grabbing a coffee is something that people come to enjoy.” architectural gem, and you look out over the 6. ROCKETS AND RASCALS “The perfect in the gallery space and just taking it all in.” Luke Frost, BA (Hons) Photography sea while you swim. It makes me feel place to chill with your laptop. Delicious cakes Margo Ryszczuk, BA (Hons) Commercial like I’m in The Great Gatsby.” Alana Harrison, and light lunches in an amazing old building Photography for Fashion, Advertising 2. THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH “From classic BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts on the Barbican. The view across the harbour & Editorial Shakespeare to modern plays by up-and- inspires on a sunny day and comforts on a coming writers, I’ve found loads of things to 4. THE HOE “If the sun’s out, there’s nowhere rainy one.” Emily Rose Collins, Foundation 9. PLYMOUTH MARKET “Stepping in to the see at the Theatre Royal. No need to trek to better to be than the Hoe. You get these Diploma in Art & Design market can be like entering another world. London for great theatre! And you get money incredible views out towards Plymouth Sound, Local traders offer everything you can off with your student card.” Jasminne Gwalter, and there’s a stunning lighthouse.” 7. DARTMOOR “Having the moors on my think of and more, and the wide variety of BA (Hons) Fashion, Media & Marketing Chris Perks, BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts doorstep encouraged me to take influence food transports you around the globe.” from its ever-changing landscape. I was Amy Bray, BA (Hons) Fashion inspired by the colour palette of nature, and the rawness of the environment broadened 10. NANCY ASTOR: “As a female photographer, my style as designer.” Tom Donald, it’s inspiring to be studying where the first female BA (Hons) Graphic Design MP to enter Parliament, Nancy Astor, worked and played such an influential role in women’s rights.” Sarah Packer, BA (Hons) Photography
16 About Us 17 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 “The environment encourages a natural collaboration across disciplines.”
Nicholas JR White, photographer and graduate
‘Giles at Camasunary Bothy, Isle of Skye, Scotland’ by Nicholas JR White, award-winning Photography alumnus.
18 About Us 19 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 WITH RENOVAT WITH TALKING GLASS
TALKING GLASS WITH RENOVAT
Originally from Burundi, Africa, Renovat Moody was born during a period of civil war and relocated to England as a child. He graduated from our BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts in 2018, after completing pre-degree studies with us. As a glass artist, Renovat strives to create positive change in the world, both by reflecting Burundian traditions through his work, and by fundraising to support communities in Burundi. We sat down with Renovat to find out what drives him to create change, and how his time studying at Plymouth College of Art transformed his life...
WITH RENOVAT WITH TALKING GLASS What can you tell us about the path that led you to the UK? I grew up on a farm in one of the world’s poorest nations. My father died in the civil war when I was very young and my mother went away to grieve. While she was gone I was trampled by a bull on the farm, breaking both of my legs when I was six years old and throwing my life into chaos.
I was taken to the city for medical treatment with my older brother. We were moved from hospital to hospital as the war went on around us, with no mobile phones and no way to let our family know that we were still alive.
Fortunately, one day we met a high-ranking judge visiting the hospital, who introduced us to the wife of the country’s vice president. She helped us in many ways and found me a place at an orphanage, before inviting my brother and I to live in the vice president’s house.
Because the care I needed wasn’t available in Burundi at that time, at the age of nine I went to stay as a foster child with Nina Moody in Plymouth, UK, to receive specialist support at Derriford Hospital.
My health improved over time, until I was 13, when Nina’s family offered to adopt me. We had thought that my birth mother was dead, but at this time we managed to track her down to ask for her blessing for me to be adopted and continue my education in Plymouth.
What effect has creative education had on your life? After seeing my country suffer so much, I considered studying politics and foreign relations, to return to Burundi and improve (Top) Renovat Moody in our dedicated glass studios. the lives of the people there. But at Plymouth College of Art I discovered a love of art, design and making. I experimented (Middle & Left) ‘The Essence of Burundi and Rwanda’ by learning new skills and working with different materials, finding
WITH RENOVAT WITH TALKING GLASS Renovat Moody. a passion for glassblowing.
20 About Us 21 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 Glass allows me to express my inner creativity with complete freedom. As I’ve grown older it has become more important to me to research my heritage and reflect African culture in my art. I’m influenced by the vivid colours of flags and Intore warrior clothing, and by traditional forms found in the arts of Burundi and Rwanda, such as woven baskets and drinking gourds. Glass isn’t a medium that’s widely used in Burundian arts, so I embraced the opportunity to create something new.
Studying at Plymouth College of Art has taught me that it doesn’t matter how you start in life, what matters is how you finish. I’m committed now to making a positive impact in the world through my art, selling glass work and investing my profits to support communities in Burundi.
How are you making a difference in Burundi? My brother and I inherited land there and had to make a decision about what to do with it. At first, my brother felt like our country was so fragile that we couldn’t invest in it, because if war breaks out again, we could lose everything. But we were fortunate. We were given a second chance, while there are many people still living through the same predicaments that we did. We decided together to invest in a farm on the land, to begin fighting poverty in the region.
Working separately in different parts of the world, my brother and I both invest in the farm the money that we make through our professional careers. Our mother lives there with four workers that we employ, raising cattle and crops. Those four workers can now feed their families, and one was able to “At Plymouth College of Art I discovered put his child through school. We also support single mothers in the area by sharing our harvests. a love of art, design and making. I experimented learning new skills and What are your plans for the future? We’ve started small, but in future hope for the farm to grow working with different materials, finding and become self-sustaining, so that we can sell the crops and a passion for glassblowing.” reinvest in land and machinery, offering employment to more families and strengthening the local economy. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I believe that these small seeds can lead to sweeping changes.
I have a vision of life as a professional glassblower and of improving the prospects of the people in my community. I’m going to continue doing everything that I can to make that dream a reality.
renosglass (Top, Middle & Left) ‘The Essence of Burundi and Rwanda’ by Renovat Moody.
22 About Us 23 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 UAL FOUNDATION DIPLOMA IN ART & DESIGN
The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design will enable you to develop active and engaged thinking and making within a vibrant and diverse creative environment.
This immersive and exploratory course prepares potential, we guarantee our Foundation you for degree study in the creative arts. You Diploma students a place on one of our BA will explore a range of art and design disciplines (Hons) programmes when you successfully and learn through experimenting and risk taking. complete the qualification. For details and This course will help you develop a confident additional requirements, visit plymouthart. body of work, challenge your comfort zone and ac.uk/studying/how-to-apply allow you to define your creative practice.
What will I achieve? “A Foundation Diploma is perfect for Stage one introduces you to critical thinking anybody who wants to expand their and creative approaches to art, design and creativity and experiment with different media through a rotation of methodologies, mediums to help them find the right path. processes and materials. For stage two you It was great to be surrounded by students will identify your chosen pathway and develop with different interests and to see their project ideas and outcomes. You will be ways of creating a body of work. I was supported and challenged by lecturers pushed and motivated, and afterwards felt who are active in their field. You will develop more than ready for my degree course.” the skills and confidence to pursue your Maciej Krzyminski, Foundation Diploma applications to degree-level study. Stage three brings together your learning in the development of a self-initiated project European and international applicants which includes an extended critical essay We welcome European and international and end-of-year summer show. students with a good command of English language skills (IELTS 6.0 or above). What will I have access to? If youdo not meet this requirement we offer You will be based in our dedicated Foundation a pre-sessional course in English. More details Studio and receive inductions across a wide are available upon request. We also offer range of specialist workshops and a BA (Hons) with Foundation Year which is technology resources – from ceramics and designed to accelerate your learning in glass studios, to printmaking and textiles preparation for your entry to Level 1 of our equipment, 3D printing technology in Fab Lab BA (Hons) undergraduate programmes. Plymouth, and photographic and filmmaking facilities. With 13,000 square metres of studio and workshopspaces available, all of For fees and funding, see page 8 (in our How our Foundation students have access to our it Works guide). state-of-the-art facilities.
What next? Once you have successfully completed this course, you will be ideally placed to (Top and right) Student Savannah progress onto degree study both nationally Dale developing her work in and internationally. As part of our creative Palace Studios, our dedicated Foundation Diploma campus continuum, and as a reflection of your comprising two specialist studios spread over 160m2.
24 About Us 25 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 BA (HONS) WITH FOUNDATION YEAR
Our Foundation Year offers a dynamic and supportive environment in which you will be encouraged to explore and develop core skills and competencies as a creative practitioner.
If you want to pursue a chosen undergraduate What will I achieve? degree here, but feel you have yet to acquire The Foundation Year will challenge your the experience or typical entry requirements, preconceptions, encourage risk taking our Foundation Year will help focus and and build confidence in your own ideas and refine your creative interests through abilities. You will be taught through lectures, applied practice, and facilitate your future workshop and studio sessions, seminars learning journey. and tutorials, with opportunities to investigate a wide range of materials, processes, This programme provides you with an intensive methodologies and practices. interdisciplinary year of experimental and investigative approaches to developing your You will develop critical skills relevant to degree- practice, designed to accelerate your learning level study, while broadening your use of in preparation for your entry to year one of drawing, visual research, contextual studies, our BA (Hons) undergraduate programmes. digital imaging and design thinking methods.
We will help you discover your own interests Successful completion of this Foundation within the creative arts, building academic Year guarantees you a place with confidence, purpose and direction. Forming the Plymouth College of Art on your chosen first year of a four-year route towards gaining undergraduate degree. a BA (Hons) degree with us, the Foundation Year provides you with insight into a range of art, design and media skills and approaches, alongside first-hand experience of subject areas across the three schools at Plymouth College of Art.
(Top) Intensive and challenging: You’ll have the freedom and support to generate ideas, experiment and explore your practice.
(Middle) Students are taught how to take inspiration from the world around them and transform it.
(Right) Students get hands-on in our Foundation Year, exploring a diverse range of techniques and processes.
26 About Us 27 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 LABS
28 LABS 29 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 SPACE TO MAKE
We offer the richest, most diverse ecosystem of materials, technologies, processes, practices, and exchange of ideas at any art school in the UK. And that synergy gives us a certain kind of energy.
On campus The college actively encourages you to use Our 13,000 square metres of studios and areas and communal space to curate and workshops across four buildings are filled exhibit work collaboratively or individually and with professional workspaces and state-of- in various 2D, 3D, 4D and digital formats. the-art facilities. Home to our 2,000 strong community of student artists, designers Becoming part of our interdisciplinary and makers, our city-centre campus is learning community offers you a diverse CROSS-COLLEGE LABS a thriving creative hub of collaboration and and challenging environment to develop innovation, thinking and making. A close- your thinking and practice. Here are just a few of the resources that “The space of learning offers, or withdraws, knit community where artists, designers and you’ll have open access to. the possibility of learning.” makers combine, it’s a place to explore and LABS Manifesto Proposition 07 experiment with processes and materials, Our LABS are open access resources that Open Access Rolling Workshops both contemporary and traditional. support your learning and facilitate skill Alongside your curriculum timetable, a acquisition in response to your ideas and programme of rolling workshops is offered • Fab Lab research / development / digital Workshops within our LABS are open research. During your time at the college during each semester to encourage design technologies: 3D printing / 3D to students across specialisms. Fashion you’ll work primarily within a studio-based exploration, stretching your skills towards scanning / vinyl cutting / CNC milling / designers collaborate with filmmakers, environment supported by an exciting and an extended practice. These optional CNC routing / laser cutting fine artists with photographers, animators diverse range of media and production extracurricular activities allow you to play • Fabric Lab dyeing / sewing / cutting / with ceramicists. The opportunities for facilities. Each LAB holds a set of skill- with materials and niche processes outside tufting / knitting / embroidery / millinery / cooperation and exchange are endless specific workshops which encourage of your study programme for a low fee. textile silk screening / digital embroidery / and open for discovery. exploration and choice, as you think through sublimation printing materials, processes and their applications. Make Space Studios • Imprint Lab drawing / monoprinting Our academic and technical staff are active Our aim is to enable flexibility and mobility Recently opened, our 300m2 Make Space / etching / engraving / intaglio / thinkers, writers, and creative practitioners. towards cross-disciplinary exchange at all levels. Studios accommodate a range of creative silkscreening / lithography / letterpressing External engagement is an important part of projects from life drawing to large-scale / Digital Print Bureau your learning, and you’ll have the opportunity We value experimentation across both installation work. You will be supported • Material Lab ceramic / glass / plaster / to gain direct experience across the creative traditional processes and new and emerging by experienced academic and technical staff metals / wood / plastic industries and cultural sector. This could technologies. You will be immersed in to help and guide you in the latest processes, • Multimedia Lab darkroom / specialist involve live projects with national brands, a creative environment that offers a menu techniques and methodologies. darkroom / scanning darkroom / rostrum placements, internships, volunteering, etc. of curiosity across a wide range of analogue / Steenbeck / green screen / lighting and digital opportunities. “There’s so much here that you can use and / sound / media studios / edit suites experiment with, just mess about with and / infinity cove / interactive media / try out.” Equipment Resource Centre Alfie Phillips, BA (Hons) Illustration graduate • Learning Lab Library / Study Zone / learning technology / collections
(Top) Students have access to glass- blowing furnaces, ceramics wheels, metal, wood and plastics workshops.
(Bottom) Plymouth College of Art’s Tavistock Place campus.
30 LABS 31 FABRIC LAB
In the Fabric Lab you will acquire material FAB LAB PLYMOUTH and process knowledge around texture, pattern, colour, construction – interlacing Our Fab Lab is part of a network of over scanners, prototyping tools, laser cutters, your skill-set through an understanding of 1,000 official Fab Labs worldwide. A concept vinyl cutters, milling machines, and a large textile and fabric properties. originally conceived by Massachusetts CNC router, are housed alongside the Institute of Technology (MIT), Fab Labs are Material Lab, Fabric Lab, Imprint Lab and Dye and Print Cut and Sew innovation and research spaces encouraging Multimedia Lab. This creates the perfect Our Fabric Lab contains over 30 linear metres An industry standard, professional investigation and material exploration. setting to work across traditional making of print tables, large and small-scale heat sewing studio layout accommodates and cutting-edge digital technology. presses, and a dedicated dye lab for colouring a variety of production methods including Fab Lab Plymouth has strong working relation- fabrics, including natural dye processes. This pattern-cutting, millinery and upholstery. ships with Fab Labs in Barcelona, Amsterdam, With the increased recognition of design space also offers students the opportunity A selection of specialist machines includes Brest and Hamburg. By connecting to other thinking as a key driver for innovation across to screen print with specialist textile pastes digital and domestic knit, tufting, and Fab Labs globally, artists and makers can all sectors, we provide opportunities beyond and mediums. Alongside traditional methods, embroidery machines. share ideas and knowledge, and solve the creative industries, working with science, outcomes can also be supported digitally. problems together. medicine and engineering, to name a few. Design Software One such example is working with Art & You’ll have access to pattern design and Students from every programme at the Energy to explore and develop solar panel cutting CAD system Assyst alongside AVA college have access to the technologies design. The Fab Lab also works with creative industry standard specialist design and housed within Fab Lab Plymouth, allowing practitioners and businesses, such as colour software for design practices. You’ll them to create work that would otherwise Dartington Crystal, Princess Yachts and also have access to WGSN, the trend be impossible using traditional methods. the Contemporary Craft Festival. forecasting site used by professional buyers, Cutting-edge 2D and 3D design software designers, and creatives. and machinery, including 3D printers and
(Top left) Students from across the college benefit from the possibilities the Fab Lab offers.
(Top) Our studios are packed out with the latest industry kit including our tufting gun.
(Bottom) Students screen print in our studio with over 32.5 metres of print space.
32 LABS 33 IMPRINT LAB
In the Imprint Lab you will gain expertise Digital Printing across a range of 2D printmaking and mark- The Digital Print Bureau (DPB) offers making techniques using various mediums. affordable and quick print services, including wide-format or solvent printing, photo printing, Printmaking vinyl cutting and finishing. Our six printers Offering a broad range of printmaking include a Mimaki fabric printer, and can techniques, including etching, collagraph, process a range of media, such as acetate, lino, letterpress, monoprint, engraving, wallpaper, PVC banners, silk and cotton. intaglio, lithograph up to A0, and bookbinding, Additional services include sublimation you’ll have access to multiple presses, printing for digital transfers, a Dry Lab photo including a large Rochart Aquatint press, printer, Risograph, xerox facilities, and a a Hunter Penrose printing machine, an A2 digital plotter to cut vinyl stickers. A suite of Columbian press and two large Star presses. professional print finishing equipment allows MATERIAL LAB you to scan, bind and laminate. In the Material Lab you will be encouraged Metals to acquire haptic – touch-based – and Large Metals includes facilities for specialist manipulative skills and gain an understanding welding and brazing as well as a plasma of material properties. cutter. In addition, there is a grinding room for shaping and finishing your work. Ceramics Facilities include provision for throwing, Raku, The Small Metals workshop houses 24 Tile Press, glazing, slip casting, hand-building soldering stations, industry-standard vacuum and a large kiln room. metal casting, electroforming, enamelling kilns, hydraulic press-forming, micro-scale Glass welding and much more. There are four main areas in glass: hot glass with two glory holes and furnace, cold working 3D wood and plastics and finishing, lamp-working and kiln forming. 3D wood and plastics enables construction of almost anything, from CNC machined Plaster plywood furniture to bespoke stretchers and The plaster room allows access to substrates for painting, a turned wooden bowl mould-making and casting in a wide to a vacuum-formed costume mask. range of materials.
(Left) The Columbian press in our Printmaking Studios.
(Top) With 10 potters wheels, a plaster room for mould making, kilns and a well-stocked glaze lab, our Ceramics Workshops has real ‘wow’ factor, rivalling any art school around the country.
(Bottom) Our well-equipped Glass Workshop provides students with a professional studio environment. Photo © Grace Elizabeth.
34 LABS 35 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 LEARNING LAB
Our Learning Lab supports academic and research pursuits for students across the college. Comprising the library, study support, technological training, and collections, our teams of specialists will provide you with expert advice. MULTIMEDIA LAB In partnership with the other LABS, the Study Zone Learning Lab provides technological Our experienced Study Zone team deliver Our Multimedia Lab offers you the kit and Our editing suites include a Steenbeck guidance throughout your studies via a range of services to support you with your expertise to become skilled in a wide range flatbed editing table and a plethora of Mac bookable and drop-in support. studies. We recognise the importance of processes and techniques across the fields suites for interactive and VR applications. of personalised and individual support and of photomedia, moving image and sound. We also have a black and white darkroom Library this ethos underpins everything we do. with dedicated loading and film processing The library has over 25,000 items comprising Via the online portal, you can book individual Studios rooms, an alternative analogue process physical and digital resources including and group sessions, and access interactive Hone your collaborative skills in our media darkroom and a specialist scanning dark- books, periodicals and DVDs. The resources. The Study Zone provides studios, consisting of a sound studio for audio room for a wide variety of old and new collection spans the breadth and depth of specialised support and advice on a range production, white and chroma key infinity photographic processes. our provision, ensuring that you have the of core study skills, including assessment, coves, film and product studios catering for necessary contextual resources whatever writing, presentations, critical reflection and flash and continuous lighting. Our extensive Equipment Resource Centre your subject area. An extensive website analysis. The Study Zone staff also deliver resources will enable you to incorporate The Equipment Resource Centre (ERC) is our provides access to research databases, integrated workshops to help you understand still and moving images, including rostrums for hub of media resources. Every student has ebook providers and online journals, and the techniques for effective learning. stop motion in animation, virtual reality (VR) access to 6,000 items of industry-standard library has areas for silent study and small kit for interactive elements and applications. photography, film and audio kit, and our group work. You’ll have support and guidance Collections experienced staff can advise you on what from the library team, including advice with The college has an emerging study collection will best meet your needs. You can also book researching, referencing, digital literacy and that includes books, prints, and original work state-of-the-art editing and sound production academic practice. by abstract artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, studios – and it’s all free to hire. surrealist Ithell Colquhoun and painter Robert Lenkiewicz. A number of pieces are on display around the college for educational and research purposes. The library also carries Lenkiewicz’s personal collection of art history books, and (Top) Fashion students work holds a wider collection of digital copies. with photography and marketing students in the creation of their Fashion Lookbook. Additionally, our Principal’s Collection
(Bottom) Our expansive continues to grow, and includes renowned darkrooms cover a range of artists, alumni, staff and students. Some photographic processes. notable pieces include Big Colour (2003), (Right) From books and paintings to Anthony Frost; Christ’s Hospital (2010), journals and magazines, our Learning Martin Parr; Gilbert & George (2015), Tom Lab offers a range of free digital and printed resources, as well as a Oldham; and Paradise Lost: Kikau Street dedicated Study Zone. and Forty Ships (2017), Mohini Chandra.
36 LABS 37 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 SCHOOLS
38 Schools 39 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 WE HAVE A VIEW ON THE WORLD AREAS OF STUDY
At Plymouth College of Art, we invite and Located in the coastal city of Plymouth Study with us and you’ll be able to choose from an interdisciplinary curriculum of inspire new modes of creative practice that with many points of access to the world, specialisms including: redefine citizenship in the 21st century. we encourage our students to work at the threshold of their practice, gaining new SCHOOL OF ARTS + MEDIA SCHOOL OF DESIGN + CRITICAL + Our programmes examine the interconnected- knowledge through shifting boundaries and • Ceramics COMMUNICATION CULTURAL STUDIES ness of the arts and society, exploring distinct unexpected routes. Studying here, creative • Glass • Costume • Liberal Arts disciplines, expanded fields of study, and the practice is not merely aesthetics or making • Metals • Set Design • Curation spaces emerging between, across and beyond. forms, it is making futures — yours and ours. • Wood + Organic Materials • Prop Design • Arts Management • Painting • Prosthetic Make-up • Museum Studies • Drawing • Fashion • Critical Writing • Print • Textiles • Art + Design History, • Sculpture • Wearables Theory, and Criticism • 3D Media • Printed Textiles • Creative Pedagogy • Installation • Surface Pattern • Art + Design Education • Time-based Media + • Fashion Media + Marketing (Teacher Training) Live Art • Fashion Styling + Art • Arts + Cultural • Post-studio Direction Production • Photography • Graphic Communication • Arts Conservation • Social + Interactive Media Design • Exhibition Design + Display • Film + Screen Arts • Motion Graphics • Socially Engaged Practice • Animation • Typography • Professional Practice • Documentary • Digital Futures • Sound Design • Digital Media Production • Sonic Arts • Commercial Photographic • Scoring + Composition Production • Digital Fabrication • Interior Design • Game Arts • Living Environments • Embodied Media (AR / VR) • Product + System • Creative Computation Innovation • Illustration • Book Arts • Editorial + Publishing
Drawing performance from Kimvi Nguyen at student-curated conference ‘The Embodied Experience of Drawing’.
40 Schools 41 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 ARTS + MEDIA SCHOOL OF
ARTS + MEDIA SCHOOL OF
SCHOOL OF ARTS + MEDIA
In their contemporary configuration, arts and media exist in an expanded field where studio and world collide.
As artists and media makers living in a With a broad range of programmes designed richly connected society, we are in constant to extend into adjacent creative disciplines contact with forces beyond the studio and related studies in the humanities where we routinely encounter economic, and sciences, we invite you to build a distinct cultural and technological systems that practice that expresses awareness of shape our experience in both intimate and the past with an innovative eye toward the extraordinary ways. future. Our arts and media programmes afford you a unique education that unites the In the School of Arts + Media we encourage social, aesthetic and practical dimensions an understanding of contemporary creative of your creative practice so that you are not practice as an interdisciplinary endeavour that merely a maker of things or experiences, occurs in the lab, studio, street, landscape, but a researcher of the possible, capable of library, theatre, and home. Artists today must reimagining the shape of society. rely on deep knowledge of traditional forms and materials as well as have meaningful opportunities to extend their creativity into professional contexts that influence where and how we experience culture in the public realm and in a post-studio environment. ARTS + MEDIA SCHOOL OF
(Top) With access to our LABS, students can merge traditional methods with the latest technology to innovate.
(Bottom) Students videomapping in action at the annual Illuminate Light Festival.
(Right) Alex Lee uses psychological self-portraiture as a vehicle for the exploration of paint, resulting in vibrant works steeped in personal symbolism.
42 Schools 43
WITH SUKI TALKING PHOTOGRAPHY
TALKING PHOTOGRAPHY WITH SUKI
Suki Dhanda’s portraits for The Observer and The Guardian include Sir David Attenborough, Rihanna, and Yoko Ono. Suki studied photography at Plymouth College of Art from
1989 to 1992 and first began working regularly for The WITH SUKI TALKING PHOTOGRAPHY Observer in 1998. She has gained a reputation as one of London’s leading portrait photographers, and returned to the South West art college where she began her photography journey, with an exhibition entitled ‘Race, Place & Diversity by the Seaside’.
What was it like living in Plymouth and studying at Plymouth College of Art 30 years ago? At that time Plymouth was a new city for me, so I just got to know it over the three years I spent there – it was really refreshing being by the sea and the countryside, quite different from the suburbs of London.
When did you begin exploring diversity and belonging within your work? My parents were from India and I was born and brought up in England, so the question of belonging was something that was consistently in the back of my mind while growing up. It didn’t help with the uprise of the National Front in the early 1980’s, hearing racist chants of “go back to where you come from.” I began exploring themes of belonging in my late 20’s, particularly concentrating on marginalised groups of people originating from other countries and looking at how they form their own cultural identity within the place that has become their home.
How did your studies help you see where you wanted to go with your career? Before I went to Plymouth College of Art, I studied Photography at A-level and already felt this was the path for me. At the time I didn’t really know what I wanted to specialise in, but it soon became apparent that I was more suited to photographing people than shooting still life objects, for example. As a student I was just experimenting, doing all sorts of different things with lighting, film and printing by hand. It was all analogue those days, I didn’t even know
what Photoshop was then! WITH SUKI DHANDA TALKING PHOTOGRAPHY
44 Schools What advice would you give to students making the transition between university and work? The college is there for you to use facilities, explore your ideas, and discuss projects with lecturers – it all helps guide you towards finding your own direction. But it’s really important for students to make some connection within the creative industry while they are studying, too. If you are resilient and talented enough, the transition from student to working will hopefully be easier. It also helps to be savvy with social media, particularly Instagram. There’s a lot of competition out there and you really have to believe in yourself and be prepared to work that extra bit harder to be seen and heard.
You recently exhibited at The Gallery, what was that like? The Gallery itself is an amazing space and it was wonderful to be given an opportunity to produce new work in Plymouth. I spent a lot of time walking around and observing people before taking a picture. It was certainly cathartic being away from home and a break from shooting commercial work in London. I just wished I’d been able to spend more time on it!
How have the city and college changed? “The college is there for you to use There’s been a lot of development and change in the city facilities, explore your ideas, and discuss itself, and the college has grown too. When I came back I didn’t expect it to have changed so much but I’ve been projects with lecturers – it all helps guide surprised at how internationally diverse it has become. This you towards finding your own direction.” has got to be something to celebrate, regardless of Brexit.
sukidhanda.com sukidhanda
(Top) Aba, Mountwise (2017) © Suki Dhanda.
(Right) Bhupinder Singh & Family, Bigbury on Sea (2017) © Suki Dhanda.
(Left) Suki Dhanda speaks with one of her subjects at her exhibition opening in The Gallery.
46 Schools 47 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 “This is one of the best art schools in the world...this art school sets the bar for other people to follow.”
Sir John Sorrell CBE, co-founder and chairman of London Design Festival.
Oliver Sutherland, ‘And Then’, part one of the South West Showcase in The Gallery, 2017.
48 Schools 49 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 GUIDE SIMPLE A WORKS IT HOW
50 Schools 51 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 WELCOME HOW IT WORKS: A SIMPLE GUIDE
The Admissions Team is on hand to answer any questions – it’s our Undergraduate programmes job to help you every step of the way. We offer a comprehensive range of undergraduate Bachelor of Arts programmes (BA Hons) across the Schools of Arts + Media, Design + We can talk you through the application process and organise a Communication, and Critical + Cultural Studies. guided tour of the college for you and your family. We can also put you in contact with our expert programme leaders, tutors and technicians. We also offer direct entry into Year 2 or Year 3:
We can introduce you to our Student Services team to help with • students with 120 credits from a Foundation Degree, HND or funding your study or finding you a place to live in Plymouth – or to our Honours Degree can apply to join Year 2. graduate interns, to chat with you about student life in the college. • students with 240 credits from a Foundation Degree, HND or We can confirm the dates of our Open Days and greet you when you Honours Degree can apply to join Year 3. arrive for one. From the first point of enquiry on the phone or by email, up until the day you walk through our doors, if you have any worries or If you are interested in part-time study (6 years), please contact questions – we’re here to help. Admissions for more information.
BA (Hons) with Foundation Year Our Foundation Year offers a dynamic and supportive environment in which you will be encouraged to explore and develop core skills and competencies as a creative practitioner. If you want to pursue a chosen undergraduate degree, our Foundation Year will help focus Susannah Chambers and refine your creative interests through applied practice, and Admissions Manager facilitate your future learning journey. The Foundation Year programme provides you with an intensive interdisciplinary year of experimental and investigative approaches to developing your practice, designed to accelerate your learning in preparation for your entry to Year 1 of our BA (Hons) undergraduate programmes. Successful completion of this first year guarantees you a place.
2 How it Works 3 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
52 Schools 53 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 BA (Hons) degrees as such, you will need to be able to commit at least two days a week Our programme of BA (Hons) degrees has a consistent structure and for the duration of the two year programme. direction, ensuring that all subjects have business and professional practice embedded throughout. The first year is an introduction Your qualification to processes and materials, and to the differences, for example, Plymouth College of Art is currently a partner institution of The between working as a freelancer and as part of an organisation Open University (OU). At present our undergraduate and postgraduate within the industry. You’ll also be introduced to contemporary issues, taught awards are validated by The Open University, and as such concepts and approaches in the area that you choose to study. Across are a hallmark of academic quality that guarantees the international the range of programmes, you’ll develop strong visual awareness and currency of your qualification.* communication skills. The second year builds on these foundations, and you’ll concentrate on refining your creative practice by working on live briefs, undertaking work placements, or preparing for internships. *This information is correct at the time of printing in February 2019. It’s an ideal time to explore the potential of cross-disciplinary Please check our website for updates. approaches in the studio, before beginning your third year review of your practice. You’ll continue to refine your practice in the final year, and have the opportunity to enhance your practical and professional skills, WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR culminating in an exhibition at our annual Degree Shows. Students have also exhibited nationally at New Designers, Free Range, D&AD We’re passionate about innovation, collaboration, community, making, New Blood and Graduate Fashion Week. and putting creativity into action. We’re interested in hearing from inquisitive students with ideas and energy, who share our passion. Postgraduate programmes Our Masters programmes are structured to encourage debate, Although many of our students do come in with top grades and high exchange of ideas, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In order UCAS points, these aren’t necessarily essential for entry. We typically to enrol on one of our Masters programmes, a first degree of at ask for a minimum of 112 UCAS points, but we understand that least upper second class standard (2.1) in an art, design, crafts talented artists, designers and makers can have a wide range of or media discipline is normally required. We may consider equivalent relevant strengths and skills beyond formal qualifications. We’re just experience as an alternative to part, or all, of these requirements as interested in exploring your portfolio and discussing your creative in individual cases: judgements will be based on the relevance experiences as we are in seeing your grades. of previous art and design work and the strength of your project proposal. To enrol on our MFA, a recent MA or 180 level 7 credits Your interview in an art, design, crafts or media discipline is normally required. An interview is a great opportunity for us to get a better idea about your The MA programmes are offered part time as well as full time, and, creative flair, and to find out what inspires you and what you aspire to.
4 How it Works 5 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
54 Schools 55 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 It’s also a great chance for you to meet your future lecturers, and to • What you’re hoping to experience during your journey at Plymouth get a better idea about us. And you’ll have plenty of time to check out College of Art. our stunning studios and beautiful city. Our student community, much • Why you chose your programme, and how it supports your ambition. like our teaching community, is very diverse, and we’re strong believers in the opportunities and ideas that come out of different thinking, cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences coming together. We HOW TO APPLY welcome applications from international students, and we’re passionate about being fully inclusive and understanding. To find out more, and to Portfolios, showreels and interviews start your creative journey with us, contact our admissions team on Your UCAS application will tell us about your qualifications and previous +44 (0)1752 203400 or [email protected] experience, but studying the arts is about more than can be captured on forms. We need to find out about your creative potential and abilities, Here are some top tips on what to bring to your interview and what we so we’ll invite you to show us your work. You can download our Portfolio want to hear from you. We’re not focused on polished outcomes or honed Guide from our website. We interview all of our applicants: this is your technical skills, but instead how you think and what is important to you. opportunity to tell us about your aspirations, and it’s also a good way We are interested in hearing about how you approach ideas and the of us finding out what we can offer you. If you are overseas we can processes you choose to express your ideas. also arrange online sessions to suit you.
Show us: Full-time applications • Your ideas – we can explore a multitude of routes. Apply through UCAS for any of our full-time undergraduate programmes: • Confidence – talent is an attitude. this can be done online at ucas.com. The UCAS deadline is 15 January • Notebooks, diaries, sketchbooks, artists books, zines. each year, and we encourage you to get your application in by then • Your body of work. This could be objects, images, text, sound – however, you can check on UCAS or our website to see if we’re work, moving image, web platforms, performance, etc. and may be accepting late applications. presented either physically or digitally. • Your body of work should contain no more than 20 pieces. Part-time applications • An example of how you express yourself through words (essays, If you would like to study a BA (Hons) degree part time, you should blogs, vlogs, rap, poetry, etc.). apply directly via our website rather than via UCAS. • A piece from your body of work that best represents who you are now. Entry requirements Tell us: We recognise the value of a variety of qualifications and relevant • About the selected piece from your body of work. experience, and also welcome applications from students who have • About you – your practice, influences and ambitions. followed less traditional routes. Please refer to our website for our
6 How it Works 7 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
56 Schools 57 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 usual entry requirements, and visit the individual course pages on our online are valid for the current application cycle only, and for entry in website – plymouthart.ac.uk – for more. You can also consult the Tariff September 2020, or for deferred entry in 2021. Table on ucas.com. Equality and diversity BA (Hons) with Foundation Year We welcome applications from all sectors of the community, regard- We offer places to students who have a GCSE profile of at least five less of age, gender, sexual orientation or ethnic background. Our GCSEs, grades A*– C or minimum grade 4, including English language student population is extremely diverse, and it is important to us that and a combination of AS and A-level qualifications or equivalent. every student is able to realise their full potential in an environment Please check our website for the latest information regarding changes free from discrimination, harassment or victimisation. We also welcome to GCSE grades. We also welcome applications from mature students applications from individuals with disabilities. If you have a learning who may not have this qualification profile, but who have alternative difficulty or disability and would like to discuss the options available experience and knowledge. As this programme forms part of an to you, please email [email protected]. undergraduate degree programme, all applications need to be made through UCAS: please visit ucas.com for further information. Students need to have a total of 72 UCAS points to apply. The tariff points WHAT IT COSTS shown above are valid for the current application cycle only, and for entry in September 2020, or for deferred entry in 2021. The fees below are correct at the time of printing this prospectus in February 2019 and give an indication of current costs. BA (Hons) degrees Please always check our website for the latest information. Note: We offer places to students who have a GCSE profile of at least All international fees exclude costs for pre-sessional English five GCSEs, grade 4 or higher (A*– C), including English language. language courses. Please see our website for further details or email Applicants also need a portfolio and a minimum of 112 UCAS points [email protected] to discuss your requirements. Part-time study earned through: an Art & Design Foundation Diploma, A-levels, is not currently available for international students. BTEC Extended Diploma MMM grade, Access to HE Art & Design, Irish/Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers, the International Masters degrees Baccalaureate, or other international qualifications. We welcome Please refer to our website for 2020/21 MA and MFA fees and funding applications from candidates without formal qualifications who can options. Plymouth College of Art graduates are currently offered a provide evidence of their creativity. We also welcome applications discount of 10% up to five years after graduating. You can study either directly into the second and third years of our BA (Hons) programmes full time over one year, with at least two formal study days a week, from students from other degree courses nationally, and from those or part time over 21 months, with one formal study day a week, for from Foundation Degrees and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) a maximum of 180 credits. who want to complete their full BA (Hons). The tariff points shown
8 How it Works 9 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
58 Schools 59 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 BA (Hons) degrees and BA (Hons) with Foundation Year information available from our website or from other agencies BA (Hons) degrees and the BA (Hons) with Foundation Year cost £9,250 on potential future changes to immigration requirements, subject per year for UK students*. The majority of part-time students study to Brexit negotiations. 50% of full time, and therefore pay 50% (£4,625 per year for six years).
BA (Hons) and BA (Hons) with Foundation Year cost £14,000 per year MAKING LIVING EASY for international students. Accommodation Foundation Diploma in Art & Design When you choose Plymouth College of Art you also get the opportunity The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is free for under 19s and to choose from a variety of halls and houses. At the time of printing, 19–23-year-old UK students* with no level 3 qualification. For we are working with Host and Clever Student Lets to offer rooms 19–23-year-old UK students* with a full level 3 qualification, and designed to suit your taste and budget with no deposit, no bills and for UK students* aged 24 and over, the Foundation Diploma in Art no additional fees. Plenty of other providers are also available in the & Design costs £5,421. For international students, the Foundation city. Properties are ideally located around the campus and surrounding Diploma in Art & Design costs £9,000. Part-time study is not available area, so you’ll only ever have a short walk to get to college – great if on the Foundation Diploma. you have an early start.
*Note: Please always check our website for up-to-date information Halls accommodation on fees. Tuition fees shown here are for students enrolling in 2019/20 Most students in their first year choose to live in halls of residence. to give an indication of current costs, and will be subject to change These provide a fun and safe introduction to independent living: most according to government policy and guidelines. For EU students already Host and Clever Student Lets halls rooms offer ensuite bathrooms, studying in the UK and those who will start their studies in the UK in and have bright and airy communal areas, with cooking, dining and the 2019/20 academic year, there will be no change in eligibility for social facilities. Rooms are fully furnished to a modern standard, and tuition fee loans or for further financial support for the duration of their in most cases you can choose to stay between 43 and 51 weeks of course, regardless of when the UK actually leaves the European Union. the year. You will normally share your halls accommodation with other At the time of printing, in February 2019, it is too early to know what Plymouth College of Art students, and to top it off you also get a regular changes there may be either to fee status or financial support for those cleaner for the communal areas. planning to arrive in the UK to study in the academic year 2020/21. Student houses Current advice is that there will be no changes regarding visa Student houses are a great way to jump straight into the student requirements for EU students enrolling with us at the start of the lifestyle. Often with a mix of first, second and third year students, academic year 2020/21. However, please refer to more detailed all houses offer a great home while you study. As an extra plus, these
10 How it Works 11 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
60 Schools 61 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 rooms are often bigger than in halls, but also cheaper. If you’re tuition fees. As a postgraduate student you can apply for a loan of keen on making your student loan go further, there are a wide range up to £10,280 as a contribution towards your course and living costs of shared houses of different styles and sizes. (subject to your UK/EU residency status and previous study). You will only start paying back your loan once you are earning £25,000 a Making an application for accommodation year or more for undergraduate loans and £21,000 a year or more for To find the accommodation application form, and further information postgraduate loans (income thresholds are subject to change). on what is available, please visit: plymouthart.ac.uk/studying/ accommodation or email [email protected]. For advice on any aspect of funding your studies, including eligibility for Student Finance, please get in touch with our Welfare Advisors on Student support services +44 (0)1752 203423, or [email protected]. Our Student Support team offers a team of specialist advisors who can provide information and guidance in a variety of areas, including For general information, please contact Student Finance England by finance and funding, disability support, health and wellbeing. You can visiting sfengland.slc.co.uk or calling +44 (0)300 100 0607. contact Student Support by emailing [email protected] or by calling +44 (0)1752 203423. If you study full time… You may be eligible for a Maintenance Loan funded by the Government Academic support to help towards your living costs, in addition to your Tuition Fee Loan At Plymouth College of Art we have a dedicated team of specialists (subject to your UK residency status and previous study), which is also who provide academic support and guidance through our Study Zone. repayable alongside your Tuition Fee Loan. The amount available to Specifically, they can offer advice on academic writing, assessment, you will depend on your family income – we advise that all students critical thinking, and research – additionally, they offer a host of study use the Student Finance Calculator on the gov.uk website in order to skills, such as time management and presentation skills. estimate the amount of Maintenance Loan you would be eligible for: Get in touch at [email protected]. See more on page 37 of our www.gov.uk/student-finance-calculator. Please note that you have to Undergraduate Prospectus. repay all loans.
Funding your studies Although always subject to change by the Government, as of 6 April Education is an investment for life, not only financially but also 2018 tuition and maintenance loan repayments are at the rate of personally and socially. Having a degree improves your chances of 9% of the amount you earn over £25,000 per annum after you have employment, and over their lifespan graduates can expect to earn graduated, until the loan is repaid, for a maximum period of 30 years. more than non-graduates. As an undergraduate student, you can apply Further support is available if you have children or adult dependants, for a Tuition Fee Loan (subject to your UK/EU residency status and or if you have a disability. For more information, please visit previous study), which means you won’t have to pay upfront for your direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.
12 How it Works 13 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
62 Schools 63 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 If you study part time… INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS We want to make our programmes achievable for everyone, and offer the option of studying on a part-time basis, except for the BA (Hons) Support and guidance with Foundation Year. From 2019/20, new part-time students are now From the application process to practical tips about living in the eligible to apply for a maintenance loan. You will be eligible for a loan UK, we make sure that all of our students feel at home. If you’re towards first degree tuition as long as you complete a minimum of an international student looking to study at Plymouth College of Art, 25% of the full-time course per year. This could be subject to change we’ll support you from the moment you start thinking about studying from Student Finance England, so please see our website for up-to- with us. We will help you find the best course to suit your interests date fee information before you submit your UCAS application. and aspirations, guide you through your application and visa process, and help you choose the best accommodation for your budget. We are Financial support always on hand for any questions that you may have, from the time The college subsidises the cost of activities such as educational you arrive and throughout your studies with us. visits, and operates a bursary scheme to help towards other course costs such as materials. For more information and eligibility please How to apply see our website. UK students who face serious financial difficulties Our Admissions Team is here to help you prepare for your stay and and are in receipt of a full maintenance loan should contact our give you practical advice about living in the UK: for more information Student Support team, who may be able to provide advice and further please email [email protected]. All international applications financial support for those in real hardship. For general information on for undergraduate degree programmes need to be made through financial support, contact Student Finance England. the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS), at ucas.com, but if you do need any help please contact us. For pre-degree and Support for students with disabilities postgraduate programmes, you can apply directly through our website, For information on additional support for disabled students, please where you can also find information on specific entry requirements. visit: plymouthart.ac.uk or contact our Inclusive Learning team on: For more information about fees, English language requirements, +44 (0)1752 203423 or [email protected]. We encourage student visas and how to apply, please refer to our website. you to contact the team as soon as possible to make sure you’re If you are an overseas student, we will ask you to make your portfolio confident that the college can meet your needs. or showreel available online, and invite you to schedule an online or telephone interview. Please contact our Admissions Team for further information at [email protected].
Interviews, portfolios and showreels Once we’ve received your application, we will set up your interview: if you are living overseas this will be an online or telephone interview,
14 How it Works 15 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
64 Schools 65 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 but if you are currently in education in the UK we will ask that 6.0 for degree, and 6.5 for MA. Additionally, in-year English language you attend an interview in person. Either way, you can meet an support is available. Both pre-sessional and in-year support come experienced member of academic staff who will talk you through at an additional fee – see our website for more information. Only IELTS the course. If you’re successful, we’ll send you a letter offering you and Trinity College London English language tests will be approved a place. For more information, contact our Admissions Team on by the Home Office as secure English language tests (SELTS) for +44 (0)1752 203400 or [email protected]. For advice on your immigration purposes. For more information on minimum scores, portfolio and interview preparation, see page 4. see our website.
Fees Our fees are highly competitive, and lower than those of many other UK STUDENTS’ UNION universities. These fees apply for entry in 2019, and are correct as of going to press in February 2019. For information about scholarships The Students’ Union is run for students, by students and aims to available to international students, please email [email protected]. represent, campaign for and provide services for students in every aspect of their college life – from social activities to academic BA (Hons) degree programmes: £14,000 per year. and personal support. From your first day moving into halls to your Masters programmes: please refer to our website for 2020/21 MA and final major project and more, the Students’ Union will be there to MFA fees. help. The Union is led by students and provides constructive and effective representation, quality services and both voluntary and paid Further costs apply for students who require a pre-sessional English opportunities – internally and within the community – to enrich your course and ongoing in-year English language support. student experience.
Visas We organise activities and trips throughout the year, including the As an international student, you will need a Tier 4 (General) student Freshers’ Fair – where you can pick up all kinds of useful information visa, which you can apply for online. For more information, visit the UK and find out about everything from student clubs and societies to Council for International Student Affairs website: ukcisa.org.uk, or you setting up your student bank account – and our annual Summer can email us at [email protected]. Ball celebrating everyone’s hard work. Our diverse range of current societies includes the Galleries, Exhibitions and Museum Society English language requirements (GEMS), who have previously organised trips to the Wellcome All our students need to demonstrate that they have a good command Collection and Somerset House, as well as providing opportunities of the English language. Depending on your proficiency and IELTS from internships and exhibition previews to installation experience. score, you may require a pre-sessional English course or find it We hold Student Voice meetings regularly throughout the academic beneficial. Our English language requirements are: 5.5 for pre-degree, year, where students get the chance to air their views on college and
16 How it Works 17 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
66 Schools 67 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 course-related issues. Each year, student representatives are selected Arriving by coach for roles on the Student Executive Committee, from Vice President to The college is within walking distance of the new coach station on Entertainments and Events Officer. You’ll also have the chance to get Mayflower Street. National Express services run to London Victoria involved with daytime and evening events, ranging from clothes swaps via Exeter and lots of other UK destinations, and for super-cheap to quiz nights and print auctions, as well as live music in our new deals try booking with Megabus or Falcon via Stagecoach. Contact bar. The Students’ Union has its own social space and bar area for National Express on +44 (0)871 781 8181, nationalexpress.com, students to chill-out during the day and to host or participate in events Megabus on +44 (0) 900 1600 900, megabus.com/uk, and activities during the evening. or Stagecoach on stagecoachbus.com.
Arriving by train pcastudentsunion We’re just five minutes away from Plymouth train station, where pca_su direct services depart to London Paddington (taking 3–3 1⁄2 hours), Bristol, the Midlands, the North of England, Scotland and Penzance. There is even a sleeper train to and from Paddington if you want GETTING HERE to leave London late and arrive in Plymouth early. Contact National Rail on +44 (0)845 748 4950, nationalrail.co.uk, or +44 (0)871 244 Known as Britain’s Ocean City and the gateway to the South West, 1545, thetrainline.com. Plymouth is well connected. Our campuses are located in the heart of Plymouth’s ‘Cultural Quarter’, and can be easily accessed Walking from Plymouth train station regardless of where you’re arriving from. Follow signs south for the City Centre. On the approach to North Cross roundabout, take the left exit. Follow this road until you see Drake Arriving by air or boat Circus Shopping Centre on the right. Our reception is located in the The closest airports are Exeter International (less than an hour away), main Tavistock Place building, opposite the shopping centre. Newquay and Bristol, with direct coach services also connecting Plymouth with Heathrow and Gatwick airports in London. Plymouth Arriving by car is well connected to Roscoff, France, and Santander, Spain, by regular If you’re travelling by car and using a satnav, the postcode PL4 8BA car and foot passenger ferry services: the college is just over a mile will lead you to Regent Street Public Car Park, just next door to our away from the ferry port. Contact Brittany Ferries on +44 (0)330 159 Tavistock Place campus. We have limited parking at Tavistock Place, 7000, brittany-ferries.com. which is given as a priority to disabled visitors. For more information on parking, visit the Plymouth City Council website at plymouth.gov.uk/parking, or plymouth.gov.uk/parkandride.
18 How it Works 19 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
68 Schools 69 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 B
R
E
T
O
N
S
I
D
E ARRIVING BYARRIVING CAR PLYMOUTH Arriving by car from the North 1. The main route from the North is via the M5 motorway, and then continuing on the A38 Expressway via Exeter.
EXETER 2. Follow signs for the City Centre and keep left when approaching the roundabout.
A38 3. Take the first exit on the roundabout, signposted ‘City Centre’. CARDIFF (Please take note to avoid using the slip road going into Sainsbury’s that feeds off this first left turn.) 4. Continue to follow signs for the City Centre until you approach a second roundabout. 5. Take the first exit and move into the far right-hand lane. TAUNTON
M5 6. On the approach to Charles Cross roundabout (with the ruined church) take the third exit and the next immediate left. BRISTOL 7. Turn left at the junction and you will see Regent Street public car A303 park on the left-hand side. 8. Plymouth College of Art is the next building on the left. BIRMINGHAM
Arriving by car from the South 1. The main route from Cornwall is via the A38 Expressway, following M4 signs towards Plymouth. 2. From the Tamar Bridge take the third exit onto Manadon roundabout and follow the signs for City Centre and Mutley Plain. M3 READING 3. Keep to the left and continue straight ahead for about 15 mins. 4. You will pass through Mutley Plain and will see the Hyde Park pub on the approach to Mutley. 5. Continue down North Hill and keep to the left. 6. At the traffic lights, keep in the left-hand lane and on the approach to the roundabout (with the ruined church) take the first exit and the next immediate left. 7. Turn left at the junction and you will see Regent Street public car LONDON park on the left-hand side. 8. Plymouth College of Art is the next building on the left.
20 How it Works 21 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
70 Schools 71 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 P T L A C E E
S
R C
A O N Follow us L L N
O P P G I L E L L D Sign up to receive our regular newsletter
B
A
B C R and invites to our artist talks, gallery openings,
I O P T G student exhibitions and more: S I V R E G E N T S T R E E T A
T
T T
S S plymouthart.ac.uk
3 T
N P R C S PlymouthCollegeOfArt
A H O
T G A H PlymouthArt L R T
P P L A
R
M
E F PlymouthCollegeOfArt
S O
A A
N
S H R PlymouthCollegeOfArt T T R E I N G T O N S T R E E T PlymouthCoA E E B R T Contact details Plymouth College of Art Tavistock Place E X E T E R S T R E E T Plymouth
T Devon, PL4 8AT E E T United Kingdom R E T E S R R T E S T +44 (0)1752 203434 E R X E D E E T S I [email protected] E O N X E T E B R
T A Y E U E H T R T R N O Need more help?
T E I S E
N We’ll always try to schedule a visit to suit your travel arrangements, T R S T L
L T and are happy to recommend local places to stay or visit in and
.
E S
around Plymouth. Call us on +44 (0)1752 203434 or download these L 4 E E T L O O E S T R L directions and a map at plymouthart.ac.uk/visiting/getting-here.
C EY A
U TAVISTOC PLACE H B CHARLES CROSS X 3 POSTGRADUATE
U STUDIES
A 5 V 4 PALACE STUDIOS T E E 5 PALACE COURT P A L A C E S T R PRE DEGREE CAMPUS P PUBLIC CAR PAR 22 How it Works 23 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21
72 Schools 73 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 GUIDE SIMPLE A WORKS: IT HOW
74 Schools 75 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 + COMMUNICATION+ SCHOOL OF DESIGN + COMMUNICATION+ SCHOOL OF DESIGN
SCHOOL OF DESIGN + COMMUNICATION
To produce meaningful design, whether it be an environment, product, service, or performance, requires a designer to balance and creatively reinvent the social interface between maker and end user. Never just the work of aesthetics or form, design revolutionises the social relationships we value and cultivate.
Whilst good design shows how form Our school acknowledges the rich history of solves problems or conveys complexity in design relative to industry and manufacturing, beautiful ways, it simultaneously fosters a whilst embracing radical new forms of way of thinking about our world as a shared design as modes of intervention, play and experience. In the School of Design + transformation. By utilising new technologies, Communication we address the constantly identifying emerging markets and defining shifting territories of contemporary design, more sustainable methods in their work, we considering the breadth of design thinking bring purposeful design into everyday lives alongside material and digital practices in to solve the most urgent issues we face as establishing new approaches, forms a community and society. and possibilities.
+ COMMUNICATION+ SCHOOL OF DESIGN (Left) Amy Bray’s collection ‘SIT DOWN, SHUT UP!’ backstage at Graduate Fashion Week.
(Top) Postgraduate student Alan Qualtrough explores analogue processes and the effect of digital technology on politics, democracy, and the English language.
(Bottom) ‘On Reflection’ by Lolita Diot Parslow. Photo © Rod Gonzalez.
77 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 WITH PETER WITH TALKING DESIGN
TALKING DESIGN WITH PETER
Since graduating, he’s created award-winning communications and platforms for brands such as Beats by Dre, Nike and Google, and he’s currently Associate Creative Director & Interactive Designer for Apple, California. We sat down for a chat with Peter Jupp to hear why design is a lifelong learning experience and how his time with us prepared him for that journey.
Why did you choose to study at Plymouth College of Art?
I fell in love with the South West from an early age – the area PETER WITH TALKING DESIGN has a very optimistic vibe, a feeling that anything is possible. I knew Plymouth was lively and exciting with a strong identity and I loved that the creative pulse was centred around counter culture with a dynamic music, fashion, art and film scene. Visiting the campus, I got a feel for Plymouth College of Art’s thriving learning environment. The degree I studied was the first digital creative programme of its kind in the country, which marked the college as a place where people are open to new ideas and ways of thinking.
What did you like about studying here? Firstly, it’s such an inspiring and collaborative environment to study in. The college brings together talent from all kinds of creative backgrounds. This was especially relevant for working within interactive design – I love combining lots of disciplines: film, photography, coding, sound, animation, storytelling and graphic design. At the college I was lucky enough to be immersed in and influenced by all of this, supported by the experience and knowledge of the staff.
What advice would you give a student who is about to enter the industry? My best advice is to keep in mind that earning a degree is not the end of your education, design studios provide a great environment to continue your learning. I learnt from some of
the best in the industry in what felt like an extension of my JUPP PETER WITH TALKING DESIGN design education. Technology moves at such a fast pace, and the design industry is at the forefront of that. Communication (Top) Plymouth College of Art alumnus Peter Jupp. through constant dialogue and the exchanging of ideas is key in producing innovative work. From a personal perspective, (Middle and bottom) “Working with Google means bringing together don’t lose sight of the things you care about. Your work can technology and creative thinking to impact lives in many positive ways – you can create things reach users in fresh and surprising that really make a difference to people. ways. This campaign reminded people of the magic of search, by anticipating users, needs via smart digital screens.” © R/GA and Google.
78 Schools 79 Can you tell us about your work before you started at Apple? Before Apple, I worked at a few different design agencies in London. At the time, it was a pretty well-established path to go straight into an agency. Agencies are fast paced, and are a great way to gain lots of exposure to different clients and industry types. Smaller agencies typically offer more opportunity to own something and take more responsibility, but larger agencies have the resources to provide lots of learning and support for a new graduate. At first I was just eager to work on everything, but over time I was also able to figure out what I cared about and stood for, my own values. Now I use this to challenge myself and inform my own career decisions.
How did you get from a degree here to working at Apple, California? A group of us from Plymouth College of Art exhibited at an event called New Designers in London in our final year. It was a great experience and an opportunity to meet other graduating “Your work can impact lives in many creatives, and see what they’d been working on. It’s easy to positive ways – you can create things that become really focused on your own work during college and not realise that you are part of the next generation of designers. really make a difference to people.” The show also gave me a chance to network with industry professionals and discuss my projects with them, which led to my first job in a design studio. Jump forward a few years and a few design studios and I started working for Apple.
What brands have you worked with? Nike, Beats by Dre, Google, BBC, Virgin Atlantic, and many more. The best ones are authentic, have a very clear point of view, and know what their brand stands for. These are also the most challenging to work with of course.
You’ve mentioned in the past about wanting to get more students, particularly in the South West, into the interactive design industry. Can you tell us a bit more about that? The interactive design industry should embrace the creative (Top) “Working with Google means energy from the South West. There is tons of talent coming bringing together technology and out of Plymouth and the diversity of thinking and fresh creative thinking to reach users in fresh and surprising ways. This campaign perspectives is something design agencies look for. reminded people of the magic of search, by anticipating users’ needs via smart What advice do you have for students thinking about digital screens.” © R/GA and Google. studying at Plymouth College of Art? (Middle) These characters were created Find your specialism. Stay curious, and simplify everything. as part of a launch campaign for the new Beats Pill speakers © R/GA and Beats by Dre.
(Bottom) The team at R/GA and For more details on our School of Design + Communication Beats by Dre created the 2012 see page 52. #showyourcolor campaign for their new headphones to kickstart a culture around sound and self-expression. © R/GA and Beats by Dre.
80 Schools 81 & CULTURAL STUDIES CULTURAL & SCHOOL OF CRITICAL + CULTURAL STUDIES CULTURAL + SCHOOL OF CRITICAL
SCHOOL OF CRITICAL + CULTURAL STUDIES
The School of Critical + Cultural Studies offers a college-wide integrated programme of liberal arts education to support the development of your practice through the exchange of academic and practice-led inquiry.
Shared units provide a thematic framework Additionally, the school offers a range of for creative practitioners to consider and programmes in which students acquire the explore questions across socio-cultural, tools to explore social, cultural and visual ethical and political contexts. Throughout phenomena. Students learn the historical your study, you will be working alongside foundations and contemporary innovations students from all schools and taught by of the curatorial and public presentation of multi-disciplinary staff teams helping you objects and events, histories, theories and build critical and cultural competencies to criticism, and become the chief translators plural positions and diverse perspectives. of visual culture. Through research and writing practices, students will investigate the expanded field of production that arises “As an artist your practice is really from responding to new conditions in the connected to the context in which you world outside the studio. are making the work. It has to talk to the society you are living in.” Sasha Ferre, artist
(Top) Staff and students get immersed in our Made@EU exhibition, investigating the merging of STUDIES CULTURAL + SCHOOL OF CRITICAL traditional crafts with cutting-edge 3D technology.
(Bottom) ‘Ou Topos Ferrier’ by Andy Cluer.
(Right) Marcy da Silva Saude installs a library offering in-depth considerations of questions around theories of production of value at Tate Exchange, 2018, as part of our annual takeover.
82 Schools 83 POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
Our postgraduate programmes attract creative practitioners and educators of all ages, working across a wide range of specialist practices. They provide a fertile intellectual environment with strong support for technical formation, development and reflective practice in a critical, professional and social context. You will join an active cross-disciplinary research community across the Schools of Arts + Media, Design + Communication, and Critical + Cultural Studies.
Postgraduate students at Plymouth College of As a postgraduate student, you will develop Art are transformative and agenda-changing confidence within your field of study, in professionals who contribute to the future of a space that fosters experimentation and the creative and cultural industries, and who engagement with debates that influence can respond positively to the substantive practice across creative disciplines. We will issues facing contemporary society. encourage you to communicate your work to specialist and non-specialist audiences, engaging with Plymouth College of Art’s “Studying at Plymouth College of Art is own research horizons in creative learning life-changing. You get taught not only and social justice, as well as with academic to think critically, but also to make communities across the world. purposefully and with style. It’s a great launch pad to any creative career.” Our expertise Alan Qualtrough, MA Visual Communication Our areas of expertise include:
• art, design, media practice-based research In addition, our Master of Fine Art (MFA) • creative education across the age programme gives you the opportunity to continuum enhance your creative profile beyond an MA • entrepreneurship for creative practices by developing an ambitious, time-limited • materials investigation and innovation project that results in a significant body of creative work. The MFA is designed to support We’re currently a partner institution of established practitioners in extending The Open University (OU), who validate all their research with outcomes suitable for our Masters programmes. Please check public dissemination. our website for changes, at: plymouthart.ac.uk The postgraduate framework works with a diverse set of research themes, to encourage and develop intellectual and practical curiosity and capacity. You will have access to institutional research groups, symposia and events such as Tate Exchange, Making Learning and Making Futures, alongside access to visiting speakers across the college.
(Top) Film still by photography lecturer and researcher Mohini Chandra from Paradise Lost: Kikau Street and Forty Ships, 2017
84 Schools 85 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 HUMA MULJI HUMA ARTISTS AS TEACHER:
ARTISTS AS TEACHERS: HUMA MULJI
From Gwangju Biennale to the Frieze Art Fair, Huma Mulji is a Fine Art lecturer, and like many of our staff, she is also a practising artist with a portfolio full of international exhibitions. Huma tells us about her practice, how it informs her role as an educator and the processes behind her latest work. MULJI HUMA ARTISTS AS TEACHER: Tell us about your practice and your influences... I am very interested in fiction writing; in the ability that writers have of challenging a reader’s certainty through storytelling. I am also quite envious of the fact that readers stay with books longer than viewers do with artworks, in order to experience them. In my work I use some of these influences to stage paradoxes and ambiguities.
I am far more fascinated by the edges of science, the shadows underlying ‘fact’, in the just-out-of-reach, than the well known. For example in quantum physics, as in everyday life, I find the incomprehensible very compelling. The urban space, that of a city, is where I often find the subject for my work; in the everyday, out of sync, in the landscape, in the interactions of people, in human ambition, grief, celebration, and in absurdity and humour.
You mention using the urban space for your subject matter, how do you use the city as a source of inspiration? As an artist, stopping to take photos in the streets, for example, is a highly performative act, a complex power dynamic of gender and class. It is never a neutral space. There is no real possibility of wandering invisibly, anonymously.
Parts of the city perform on the pavements, while other segments of it are behind closed gates and high walls. The city also lends itself to an interrogation of time, its contemporary compression, circularity, or cancellation, where future, past and present coexist and overlap in this
simultaneous present. MULJI HUMA ARTISTS AS TEACHER:
Can you tell us more about your work for your group show at Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona? The work is called “The City of a Thousand Rebellions: Sarwar Road, 26th July 2011”. The image was taken in (Top) ‘Her Suburban Dream, 2011, as a functioning water tower in Lahore Cantonment was High Rise’, 2009. demolished to clear space for land to be “gifted” (Middle) Huma Mulji. to army generals. They explained that they would “replicate (Bottom) ‘A Study the water tower and put it in the neighbourhood park of Equilibrium’, 2015.
86 Schools next to other such replicas”, like a cemetery of dead or murdered buildings. The demolition was a really dramatic site with a circle of men hacking away at the base of the water tower, and I managed to photograph the dust as it rose up in a storm.
The brick dust echoes past and present rebellions, the city’s resilience and resistance in the face of power structures, belief systems and exclusions. It signifies at once the hope and horror of ambition, simultaneously inaugurating and obliterating. But also civilian scepticism of truth. We all live on this or that conspiracy theory, myth, or fiction in the hope of arriving at some clarity. I printed the image on fabric, thinking of the “skin” of a city peeling off.
How does being a practising artist affect your teaching? The studio and making art is a lonely activity, and teaching saves me from black holes when they arrive. Solitude is of fundamental importance to making work, but you need breaks. When I am not practising, I find myself to be less convincing as a teacher, unable to persuasively transmit this ‘faith’ in art. Perhaps it’s just the way I know how to teach, because I have also encountered visionary teachers who are not practising artists.
humamulji.com
(Left) ‘The City of a Thousand Rebellions: Sarwar Road, 26th July 2011.’
(Top) Ode to a Lamp post that got accidentally destroyed in the enthusiastic widening of canal bank road. Mixed Media Installation, ‘Witness’, Karachi Biennale, 2017.
(Right) Tin Ka Raja, 2008.
88 Schools 89 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 BEYOND BA STUDY
Abstract prints and illustrations adorn Gwenny Von Quint’s genderqueer collection ‘All is not as it seems’.
90 Beyond BA Study 91 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 MAKING LEARNING
Our continuum of creative learning is a defining part of who we are and what distinguishes us as a learning organisation.
The idea of creativity as a lifelong pursuit In 2018 we launched Makers HQ, a Community inspired us to do something radical – we Interest Company set in a former Jaeger made a school. Plymouth School of Creative factory in Plymouth that provides production Arts (PSCA) was formally opened in October facilities to the fashion industry and to 2015 by Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts emerging designers. Council England and former Director of Tate. PSCA is a place where three to 16-year-olds Reflective practice, partnerships can learn in a way that encourages their and research creativity, and exposes them to a life of We are a founding associate of Tate Exchange, being awake creatively. an annual programme that brings together international artists, over 60 different Trans-generational creativity organisations working both within and beyond Together, the college and school have the arts, and the general public to explore established a trans-generational progressive creative education and its impact. Students continuum of creative learning from age from the school and college work together three to postgraduate-level study. Building at the heart of this exploration. on our commitment to this continuum, Katie Greenyer, Creative Director of Pentland Launched at Tate Exchange, Making Learning Brands, opened our dedicated pre-degree as a research platform is much more than an campus for 16 to 19-year-olds in 2016. annual event – Making Learning is a year- round dialogue with our continuum community In 2017 Lady Frances Sorrell, co-founder of students and staff, centred around key of the Sorrell Foundation and Saturday Club strands that build towards a series of events Trust, opened our dedicated studios for and publications. Foundation Diploma in Art & Design students. At the other end of the spectrum, we The continuum is a laboratory for creative encourage skilled crafters and experienced education, and Making Learning is where artists to carry out their own research, staff, students and our external partners offering those who have already progressed bring their thinking to engage with this. their creativity the chance to pursue new Making Learning is a platform for dialogue avenues. Our postgraduate programmes across boundaries, between individuals and encourage people to re-skill and enhance organisations, in the context of creativity, their current abilities, to break new ground, learning and social justice. and develop in original directions.
(Top) Palace Court, our pre-degree campus for 16 to 19-year-olds.
(Bottom) Artist Clare Twomey spends the day at our factory, as part of Tate Exchange, working across our stations.
92 Beyond BA Study 93 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 Making Learning initiates collaborations UK surrealist artists, and Making Futures, across the continuum, from recent projects a biennial international research platform working with the Long Live Southbank exploring contemporary craft and maker skateboarding collective in London, to movements as ‘change agents’ in 21st setting up an innovative pupil-to-student century society. mentoring scheme that puts dialogue and care at the centre of education. All of these factors combined have a huge influence on the atmosphere here. We all learn We also host research events such from each other, and we all live what we do. as Seeking the Marvellous, a two-day interdisciplinary symposium featuring participants drawn from across Europe To find out about our international projects, and the USA, re-examining the work of see page 90.
“Today there’s perhaps only one truly independent art school left in the UK that can still claim to be a hotbed of inspiration, changemaking and activism – and that’s Plymouth College of Art.”
Peter Jenkinson, OBE. Honorary fellow & activist
(Top) We’re a creative ecosystem, from our school to our college and beyond.
(Bottom) We hosted Seeking the Marvellous an international symposium celebrating Ithell Colquhoun, British women and Surrealism.
94 Beyond BA Study 95 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 BA (Hons) Game Arts graduate Tim Nguyen works as a UI Artist at the Bafta award- winning Creative Assembly, a British developer responsible for video games including Halo Wars 2 and the Total War series.
Halo Wars 2. Image © Microsoft.
96 Beyond BA Study 97 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 THE GALLERY
The Gallery is Plymouth College of Art’s dedicated public exhibition space. Throughout the year, a programme of shows and other events brings some of the UK’s most exciting artists and creative practitioners to the college: as well as helping to put Plymouth on the arts map, it gives our students a fantastic opportunity to learn from leaders in their fields.
Our public-facing gallery brings outside The Crafts Council. The Gallery shows bring inspiration into the college, hosting the work exciting artists to Plymouth, often for of professional artists from across the UK the first time, and in a space that is open to and internationally. The Gallery’s exhibition the public, for free. At the same time, programme reflects the rich and diverse The Gallery also enriches the rest of the cultural community of the college and the city. college, supporting teaching and learning. The Gallery specialises in supporting artists For our students, The Gallery not only at various stages of their careers, provides the chance to hear from and be enabling them to produce new exhibitions, inspired by leading names in the arts, but and offering exciting opportunities to enhance also creates opportunities for students their professional practice in fresh and to get directly involved with exhibition interesting ways. preparation through a Gallery Volunteers programme and other unique opportunities. Our students have the chance not just to “The Gallery offers a really exciting visual see the end result of the creative process, arts programme right at the heart of but to talk to practitioners about the Plymouth College of Art and the city. We steps that have taken them there through encourage and support artists to access The Gallery’s public events programme the amazing facilities at the college to and internal education programme, which test new ways of working. Artists benefit includes guest lectures, careers talks, hugely from this in-house ‘production’ and portfolio clinics and masterclasses. our college community gets to experience artists’ work developing first-hand.” For the future Hannah Rose, Gallery Manager This all gives our students a priceless means of understanding the world of professional creative practice from the inside. What they Recent and past exhibitions include: Rose learn through The Gallery feeds into their Wylie’s ‘History Painting’ (2018), Suki Dhanda’s studies and can create distinctive advantages ‘Race, Place & Diversity by the Seaside’ (2018) in their professional careers. Having close & Matt Stoke’s ‘More than a Pony Show’ (as contact with outside artists can lead to all part of We The People Are The Work) (2017), kinds of career breaks: our students are Albert Irvin (2013), Martin Parr (2012) & The regularly offered internships as a result of British Art Show 7 (2011). these opportunities. With The Gallery, just as with every programme at Plymouth College of For the city, for the college The Gallery helps connect the college and (Top) Envisions, ‘The Envisionaires’ in Plymouth to the national and international plymouthart.ac.uk/gallery The Gallery, 2017. art scene, illustrating our outward-facing plymouthcollegeofartgallery (Middle) Rose Wylie, ‘History Painting’ ethos. Our programme often reflects what thegallery_pca in The Gallery, 2018. is happening elsewhere in the world, as (Bottom) Kit Poulson, part one The Gallery works in partnership with other of the South West Showcase in The organisations, such as LUX, Jerwood and Gallery, 2015.
98 Beyond BA Study 99 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 INTO INDUSTRY
Our students begin their professional careers the moment they step into the college: we encourage everyone to think of themselves as practitioners – photographers, illustrators, designers, filmmakers – from day one.
Plugging into industry Blurring the lines between education All our programmes show you how to combine and employment artistic talent with business acumen, giving You’ll work on live briefs, set and assessed you the toolkit you need to be successful by industry professionals – from Greenpeace in today’s creative economy. And we provide to Joules. You’ll get to see how a professional opportunities for you to liaise with a wide creative project is handled from start to finish, range of creative industries. including pitching and marketing ideas, project management, and being part of a creative International study trips team, as well as working directly with clients. Our animation and game arts students, for You will be involved with elements of the example, have taken part in huge international creative business process that you wouldn’t industry events in Lille and Stuttgart. Fashion otherwise be part of until entering the world students regularly visit Première Vision in Paris of work. to identify trends and manufacturers, and attend London and Paris Fashion Weeks Makers HQ to capture celebrity and fashion street-style We emphasise the importance of learning photography. Photography students attend and creating at the same time. In 2018 we Paris Photo, Europe’s biggest photo fair, launched Makers HQ, a Community Interest amongst other events, while design students Company set in a former Jaeger factory in visit and exhibit at Talente and SCHMUCK Plymouth that provides production facilities in Munich, the British Ceramics Biennial, and to the fashion industry and to emerging the Contemporary Craft Festival. In short, designers. Run by ex-Topshop, ASOS and every programme at the college works hard Finery Garment Technologist, Sophie Glover, to ensure that all our students are exposed to here students can access sampling studio the very best industry events related to their services including pattern drafting, creation of field of interest. single samples, and short production runs – which means you could create one-off pieces Many of our students also secure top industry or entire collections. Makers HQ provides placements with organisations such as a tangible link between education and real Vogue, Zandra Rhodes, Hallmark, the Royal industry experience, with Sophie and the Shakespeare Company and Urban Outfitters. team setting live briefs for students, as well as offering industry advice and experience. Not only does Makers HQ bring live industry “With live briefs being brought through links direct to our students, but the project the department, as well as live projects has brought fashion manufacturing back to a operating through The Agency, I could factory that once provided almost 300 jobs make connections that would have taken for local skilled workers in our city. years to gain on my own.” (Top) Students exhibit work and Max Burke, Graphic Design graduate connect with industry at the annual London Design Fair. makershq.co.uk makers_hq (Bottom) Sophie Glover, who has previously worked for the MakersHQPlymouth likes of Topshop and ASOS, leads Makers HQ.
100 Beyond BA Study 101 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 Inspiration and networking Our online Job Wall offers up-to-date You’ll share learning, ideas and experiences opportunities to earn as you learn, advertising through knowledge exchanges, and draw work and commissions to students across inspiration from exhibition visits, lectures, all of our programmes. We also encourage and talks from experienced professionals students to enter competitions and open in the creative business community. We offer calls to help enrich their profile and practice. masterclasses, taught by industry experts in Networking, selling and showcasing work are small, focused groups, and tailored business key industry skills that we nurture, taking part courses. Our careers advice, before and after in a variety of major fairs, festivals and shows graduation, includes a service that promotes – such as D&AD’s New Blood in Shoreditch, international awards and events, relevant jobs, Port Eliot Festival, London Design Fair, New and internships. All of this means that you’ll hit Designers and Graduate Fashion Week. the ground running in the UK’s fastest growing They’re a chance for you to sell your work and industry the moment you graduate. develop your public profile as a professional, as well as networking with creative agencies What next? and organisations that you may want to work We believe that creativity is a way of life. with in the future. That, with the right support, anyone can make a living doing something they love. Our The Agency programme leaders work closely with local, The Agency is our in-house creative studio regional, national and international creative where external businesses and organisations industry employers. Our teaching is always pitch paid live projects and briefs for relevant, and tailored to meet the needs of undergraduate students to work on. Beyond industry; you’ll be equipped with the skills and providing direct industry experience, The thinking that you will need to excel in working Agency drives innovation and prepares you for life, from the moment you leave the college. a higher level of creative employment upon We also offer an array of extra services, graduation, or to become an independent designed to fit around your studies, which practitioner within your field. help to make the transition from student life to the working world even easier. plymouthart.ac.uk/about/the-agency Careers and employability in action We offer careers support with an online portal for information, jobs and internships. We tailor careers advice with one-to-one information and guidance on all the essentials, including CVs, interview advice and much more. And we also provide industry placement advice and support, with a bursary available to help you realise your aspirations. Creative employers deliver year round workshops, seminars and masterclasses, ensuring that students hear the latest about industry, from industry. We also host an annual festival of workshops and seminars during Employability Week, with (Top) Students create costumes opportunities for you to meet and learn from for The Actor’s Wheel’s production of Faustus. Photo © Claire Tregaskis. industry practitioners and professionals.
(Bottom) Kubrick producer, Jan Harlan, advising our students on composing and filmmaking.
102 Beyond BA Study 103 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 COLLABORATORS
Here are just some of the brands and businesses that we call our friends, that our students have interacted with through live briefs, lectures and as graduates working in creative roles.
South West
104 Beyond BA Study 105 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 WITH PENNY TALKING FASHION
TALKING FASHION WITH PENNY
Our Fashion programmes give students the opportunity to explore this fast-paced and exciting world – from styling and art direction, to graphic design, fashion writing and advertising. With a college-wide emphasis on collaboration, WITH PENNY TALKING FASHION students work across all creative disciplines, as well as on live briefs with leading industry professionals and brands. We caught up with graduate Penny Chan, who secured internships with the likes of GQ Style, Dazed & Confused and Peter Jensen while studying, and is currently working as the main Fashion Assistant at The Guardian and The Observer.
What made you choose to study at Plymouth College of Art? It was a combination of the facilities, the lecturers and the location; I began my journey at Plymouth College of Art when I enrolled on the pre-degree Fashion and Textiles course. When I came here for an Open Day I was really inspired by the talk the Principal gave, and I loved how creative the college felt, as well as getting to see all the amazing facilities on offer, like the Digital Print Bureau and the photography studios. I had such a great time on my pre-degree course that I decided to stay on for undergraduate study. I feel really proud to have been part of the community at Plymouth College of Art – there have been so many talented people who have studied here, and it does feel like you’re part of a family.
What did you think of the facilities here at the college? I think the facilities at the college are amazing, there are so many things you can experiment with, even if you’re not on a course specific to that area – for example, using the 3D printers in Fab Lab Plymouth. Along with a few other people on my degree, I used equipment in the Fab Lab to create printed t-shirts and tote bags for our second year exhibition. It might seem mundane but my favourite piece of kit was actually the scanner. I relied on it heavily to create my illustrations and my final major project – a zine called GIRLHOOD. WITH PENNY CHAN TALKING FASHION
What kind of support did you get from your tutors, and how did it help you succeed? I got such amazing support from all my tutors over the three years of the programme, I definitely owe a lot to them. They helped me make contact with Angelo, the senior fashion (Top and Bottom) Penny explores fashion and street photography assistant at GQ Style – he was one of the people I ended through her digital collages. up interning for after they brought him in to help style the (Middle) Penny Chan, BA (Hons) Fashion lookbook. The lookbook is a great print project which Fashion Media & Marketing. Photo students from different areas regularly get involved with. It’s © Haris Roussos.
106 Beyond BA Study 107 “The Fashion lookbook is a great print used to showcase the final year Fashion collections, and it’s a great example of the collaborative nature of the college. project which students from different areas can get involved with. It’s used Whenever I needed to speak to my tutors they were only an email away or I could just knock on their door – they always to showcase the final year Fashion made me feel really comfortable and really helped me grow. collections, and it’s a great example of the Speaking to my friends who studied creative courses at universities in and around London, they were surprised by collaborative nature of the college.” how much contact time there is with tutors here. They only got to see their tutors twice a week in lectures and had to book an appointment if they needed help with their work.
What was the most memorable part of your time at Plymouth College of Art, and why? The most memorable part of the course was the Paris trip during the first year; I had so much fun with all the lecturers and other students. I made some lifelong friends during that trip and we got to visit some of the most amazing places like the Louvre, and we went to Première Vision, an internationally renowned fashion trade show.
How do you think your degree has given you the skills to succeed in your chosen industry? I learnt that networking is one of the most important things to do if you want to succeed. You can be the most talented person in the world, but if people don’t know about you or your work then it’s almost impossible for you to get ahead in the industry and for other people to appreciate your work. It’s important to learn how to collaborate with other people, as in industry nine times out of ten you will be working with a large team of people to bring an idea to reality.
Live briefs from real brands are an important part of studying at Plymouth College of Art – can you tell us a bit more about your favourite one? Working with Finisterre was my favourite live brief; we were asked to create a brand book and a line of products for them. I thought that a collaboration between Finisterre and Vans would be great, as Finisterre are a contemporary surf brand, while Vans are a classic skate brand, so the two have an incredible synergy. I created my own original designs and prints for the product line and presented it to the Finisterre team – they reacted really well to the idea, and even said that they’d like to talk to Vans about it. A few months later our lecturers planned a trip down to the Finisterre workshop in St Agnes, and the team at Finisterre showed me the shoes that they were designing (Top) Penny’s work for Dazed & Confused magazine during inspired by my idea, which was really exciting. It’s great to know her internship. that I was headed in the right direction with my idea for this
(Bottom) Digital portrait collage from collab, because a new limited edition line of footwear for Vans ‘GIRLHOOD’ zine. and Finisterre was actually launched in Autumn 2017.
108 Beyond BA Study 109 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 With so much success already in the world of fashion media, Tell us a bit more about your internships and the work you’ve where do you see yourself in five years’ time? done in the industry… When I first graduated, my aim was to be living in London with Alongside my degree, I spent a lot of time interning. During a creative job in the publishing and fashion world – I feel really my second year I interned at Dazed & Confused as a Junior lucky to be able to say that I have achieved that in under a year. Designer, creating imagery and content for their website, Looking ahead, I would love to continue working in fashion, and and creating content and presentations for clients including I think being a menswear junior editor would be my dream – Adidas, Miu Miu and ASOS. At the beginning of my third year I maybe even in a different country... interned at Peter Jensen – one of my favourite fashion houses. During my time there I created content for their instagram, re-designed some of their stationery, and shoe boxes – I even For details on our studios and workshops see page 30. got to help design graphics for their capsule collection in For more details on internships and opportunities see page 76. collaboration with Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants. One of the illustrations I designed made it to the final collection, impennychan and my design was showcased at London Fashion Week Men’s.
As a result of an internship at GQ Style, I went on to secure a role as a freelance Fashion Assistant at the magazine. Working at GQ, I’ve helped plan major international Topman campaigns styling Liam Gallagher’s son Lennon; I worked on a Dr. Martens Spring/Summer ‘18 campaign, a few British GQ and GQ Style editorials, and I also assisted on Take That’s UK Arena tour, helping to style the band.
After I graduated I did a lot of freelance work, including styling shoots for i-D Magazine, Marks & Spencer, British GQ, and fashion week shows for the likes of Topman and Miharayasuhiro, as well as styling video shoots and public appearances for Robbie Williams.
And where are you now? I am now working full time as the Fashion Assistant at The Guardian and Observer, working alongside the magazine’s three fashion editors: Helen Seamons, Jo Jones and Melanie Wilkinson. I call in samples from fashion brands and PR agencies, and help out on the shoots – I’m working on five shoots at the same time right now. Recently we’ve done shoots with Rami Malek (who played Freddie Mercury in the Bohemian Rhapsody film), and actresses Vanessa Kirby, Claire Foy and Florence Pugh, as well as shooting all the usual weekly content for The Guardian and Observer fashion pages.
I also work with the fashion editors when they are freelancing, so we’ve been doing the styling on X-Factor; again, I am calling in samples from brands, helping with fittings, and dressing the performers on the night too.
(Top and middle) Evocative, layered collages by Penny Chan.
(Bottom) ‘GIRLHOOD’, a zine by Penny Chan.
110 Beyond BA Study 111 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 “The wide skill set I gained at the college really helped me during my internship at Henry Holland – it meant I could work on projects and tasks that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to.”
Poppy Baker, Fashion Media & Marketing graduate.
An image created by student Poppy Baker during an internship with fashion brand House of Holland, advertising a collection of suits made for Pride. Image courtesy of Henry Holland.
112 Beyond BA Study 113 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 INTERNATIONAL HORIZONS
As a small specialist art school that’s big on collaboration, and with the creative industries now firmly an international job market, we know the importance of connecting with artists, institutions and businesses across the globe.
Working with our partners across Europe, Atlantic Youth Creative Hubs project North America, India, China, Korea We take our role in the community seriously, and beyond, our cultural exchanges and and as such are defining new agend as for international projects have significant impact social innovation. The Atlantic Youth Creative on our students – improving their employment Hubs (AYCH) project is working to build prospects, bringing international practitioners a model of social innovation for young and projects into the college, and even people supporting social entrepreneurship, helping to influence how we teach. employment and education in the creative and cultural industries, across the Atlantic To get a flavour of the kinds of international Area. The project has established opportunities – which span 16 countries and a network of transnational, connected and 80 institutions worldwide – you can expect multidisciplinary hubs to stimulate idea if you study with us, here are some examples generation, pre-start-up and early-stage of the global projects we’ve been involved in. business start-up support to young people in the creative sector. The project will create International crafts conference both social and economic capital, connecting Our biennial Making Futures conference employers to talent and supporting growth provides opportunities for undergraduate and jobs in the sector. and postgraduate student involvement, and informs the development of our socially- Study in Europe engaged research profile. The conference The Erasmus+ programme enables our brings together a radical and cross-disciplinary students to study at a European partner community of practice, including scholars, university for between three weeks to designer-makers, businesses, economists, four months as an accredited part of their ethnographers, and buyers at the forefront of degree programme. It gives them the critical, curatorial and academic development opportunity to learn about different cultures in contemporary craft internationally – and different ways of working. We currently enabling debate and exchange of ideas. have 24 Erasmus+ partners in Hungary, Spain, France, Germany, Cyprus, Slovakia and Iceland, with more being developed Find out more: each year. plymouthart.ac.uk/research/making-futures We have also partnered with the British Council on the Venice Fellowships Programme to provide an opportunity for students to spend a month in Venice during one of the world’s most significant art and architecture exhibition. (Top) Making an international mark on design at the Making Futures conference as part of Beijing Design Week. Further details can be found at: (Bottom) Chiharu Shiotat at the plymouthart.ac.uk/international-students/ Venice Biennale 2015. Photo by Fine erasmus Art student Vesislava Zheleva.
114 Beyond BA Study 115 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 Supporting careers and enterprise Illuminating Europe The Triple E-dge project will see the Our involvement in the Euranim project gamification and digitalisation of our focused on innovative digital animation progressive careers and enterprise curriculum technologies and their application in large- content that supports our graduates scale public and cultural works. Bringing to develop personal character and key together more than 60 partners from the employability skills alongside their creative creative industries, Euranim provided young practice. A European partnership project, artists with new digital skills, through an funded by the Erasmus+ programme, ambitious programme of artistic residencies Triple E-dge gives our students the ability to in five European countries, focusing on the support their progression into teaching of video mapping. Around 50 of their professional life in an innovative way. our students and alumni have taken part in international animation festivals in France and Hungary, as well as residencies in To find out more about our Careers and Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Hungary and Enterprise office, and the support we provide France. After our involvement in Euranim, we in employability, see page 76. have also become one of the lead partners in Plymouth’s Illuminate festival, a spectacular annual celebration of light that sees the city’s historic Royal William Yard lit with incredible animated art installations and projections.
As we continue to grow our international profile, new partnership opportunities and projects are arising all the time. Get in touch to find out how you could develop your practice on an international platform.
(Top) Internationally renowned We work with partners across Europe, North America, India, China, Korea and beyond, including: Korean Master ceramicist Kanghyo Lee performs at one of our research symposiums.
(Bottom) Glenn Adamson, author, artist and Senior Scholar at Yale Center for British Art, USA, speaking at our Making Futures conference.
116 Beyond BA Study 117 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 MEET THE GRADUATES
BERNIE SCHAEFFER Senior Vice NATALIE DAVIS Creative Producer ANDY FORD Photographer LEON TYLER Creative Lead, President (SVP), Current & Development, & Picture Editor MarcoPolo Learning Twofour America Andy’s photography work has been published Natalie specialises in luxury fashion and extensively in NME and Kerrang!, shooting Leon Tyler is Creative Lead for Marcopolo Bernie is based in Los Angeles, and is the beauty, and has worked for Elle magazine, musicians like Biffy Clyro, Mark Ronson and Learning: World School, a US/UK Apple SVP for television production and distribution matchesfashion.com and Condé Nast since Bring Me The Horizon. He’s also worked on featured app. Prior to that he art directed a company Twofour America. He executive- graduating. So far, she’s created national commissions for labels like XL Records and brand refresh for Kahoot!, created two digital produced Discovery Channel’s ‘Edge of Alaska’ campaigns for Warehouse and produced Sony, with brands such as Red Bull and learning applications, Safari 3D (augmented and ‘Catching Monsters’, and has worked with shoots with Stella McCartney, JW Anderson, Converse, and regularly shoots backstage reality) and Cardio VR (virtual reality), the National Geographic Channel, BBC2, ITV1 Daisy Lowe and Nicholas Hoult. at Glastonbury Festival. and helped Blippar win a load of awards and Channel 5. as Creative Lead on various advertising “Studying at the college gave me the confidence “It’s a unique environment – unlike standard campaigns for clients such as Disney, Coca- “I look back at my time at the college very fondly. to believe in my own ability, and showed universities, every person studying here Cola, Warner Brothers and Pepsi. It taught me that if you want to make it, you me that you should work hard and never be is involved in creativity, everyone is making need to pursue your goals. From day one there afraid to try something new. My tutors there something. The equipment here is the same “The college gave me the opportunity to spend was a strong focus on teaching practical skills were incredible. They showed us the city we as what I use in the industry now, and the my days studying art in many forms and alongside analytical theory work. This helps were studying in, and opened our eyes to the chance to get to grips with it before you head meeting a whole load of rad creatives. Here you understand and express yourself in a chosen possibilities that lay before us.” out into the working world is a massive bonus. I discovered my love for design, photography, medium. There was also a real sense of The quality and quantity of facilities was much motion graphics, film and interactive art. Some collaboration, something that has gone on to better than most of the other places I visited, days I was drawing naked dudes with charcoal, affect how I work professionally.” Graduated from BA (Hons) Photography in 2010. and that’s proof of the college’s progressive others I was working with game designers nat-michele.com mindset; it’s a place that’s looking to thrive, to program interactive work. My years at nat_michele not just survive.” Plymouth College of Art allowed me to pursue Graduated from BA (Hons) Photomedia in 2000. my dreams of becoming a career artist and schaeffer_bern creative! Now I spend my days leading teams Graduated from BA (Hons) Photography in 2014. of artists and developers to create awesome andyfordphotography.co.uk games for pre-schoolers. Oh, and I carry a andyforduk camera everywhere!”
Graduated from BA (Hons) Animation in 2010. imleontyler concretesoldiers.com
118 Beyond BA Study 119 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 ZOWIE BROACH Designer & Co-Founder of HENRY SOUTH Senior Artist, Industrial Light ESTER KNEEN Design Manager at action JAKE WILLIAMS published author BOUDICCA, Head of Fashion at the Royal and Magic (ILM) sports lifestyle brand Animal and illustrator College of Art (RCA) Henry South, Senior Artist at Industrial Light Ester has worked as a designer for Matthew Jake won the prestigious New Designer Zowie is Head of Fashion at the Royal College & Magic, has worked on some of the biggest Williamson and Marks & Spencer, and as of the Year award at the 32nd annual New of Art and has previously taught at Parsons blockbusters to hit our screens in the past a jewellery maker for Tatty Devine. Designers festival, one of the UK’s most School of Design, New York. She’s also decade. Often working as a texture artist and important annual dates in the design world cofounder of independent fashion label and sculptor for 3D modelling and character “I knew I wanted to pursue a career in design calendar. His graduate project ‘Resilient design house BOUDICCA, launched in 1997, designs, Henry’s past job titles have included but I didn’t know exactly what. Being at the Reptiles’ also secured him a three-book deal whose pieces have been exhibited in the V&A Technical Animator, Character Artist, Environment college allowed me to explore different avenues with publisher Pavilion Children’s Books. Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago. Artist and Senior Texture Artist, on films and and focus on the areas I found most rewarding. In 2014 she returned to the college for an television series that include ‘Guardians of the I was given the time to experiment before I “What stood out for me at Plymouth College exhibition of BOUDICCA’s work called ‘Move’ Galaxy’, ‘Doctor Strange’, ‘Gravity’, ‘Star Wars: committed to anything, which helped me find a of Art is the fact that it’s a dedicated art college. in The Gallery. The Last Jedi’, ‘Edge of Tomorrow’, ‘Doctor career I love. I feel so lucky to be creative, travel In other universities that I looked at, the arts Who’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘The the world and get paid for it!” were really pushed to the side – but here it “Being at the college allowed me to be myself. Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise. was really inspiring to see that the whole It ran a series of ideas through my system and college is dedicated to creativity and creative asked me to question them. I learned so much “The college was great and it had a vibrant, Graduated from Foundation Diploma in Art & subjects. Another big selling point was the in my time there, but it’s only in retrospect that creative atmosphere that allowed me to find out Design in 2006. high contact time with tutors, which I really I realise how powerful that Foundation year what I was good at, but more importantly what dinki_human took advantage of. Throughout my course, really was for me. It gave me a freedom that avenue of art I wanted to pursue. Discovering 3D there was never a point where there were long no other course has given me. It was a truly modelling at the college opened the door to films, waits to speak to tutors or get feedback on experimental existence for one year.” games and mediums that I had never given any work, which was so valuable.” thought to. When I first arrived all I knew was that I wanted to make things and that was about Graduated from Foundation Diploma in Art & as far as I had got. Leaving after the Foundation Graduated from BA (Hons) Illustration in 2017. Design in 1985. Diploma and the BA degree, I was set to walk into jakewilliams.co.uk boudiccacouture.com my Masters in animation in Vancouver.” jkwilliams_ boudiccaword
Graduated from BA (Hons) Photomedia and Design Communication in 2007. search Henry South
120 Beyond BA Study 121 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Design: (Right) ‘Strigae’ by Will Shanahan and Alice TEMPLO Holmes. Drawing inspiration from the themes of deformity in Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ Photographers: and the works of Goya, this collaborative Carol Sachs collection explores a series of shape Hufton + Crow manipulation and distorted concepts, with Pip Raud a key focus on bold colour and print and it’s Rod Gonzalez application on urban sportswear. Andy Ford – Photography graduate Dom Moore – Photography graduate Printer: James Breeden – Photography graduate Printed in England by Gavin Martin Colournet Sarah Packer – Photography graduate Ltd on paper manufactured from responsible and sustainable sources. With thanks to: Beijing Design Week The printing company and the materials used Cecily Goff – Illustration student for this prospectus are FSC Certified. The Contemporary Craft Festival KARST FSC is an international, non-governmental Ocean Studios organisation dedicated to promoting Plymouth Arts Centre responsible management of the world’s Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery forests. Certification shows compliance Port Eliot Festival with the highest social and environmental Real ideas Organisation (RIO) standards in Europe. The papers are Rockets & Rascals manufactured from chlorine free pulp (ECF/ Theatre Royal Plymouth TCF), carry an EU Eco Label and are fully Visit Plymouth compliant with ISO 14001.
Cover images: (Left) ‘MUKTV’ by Jale Sengul. Working in a performative sense, Sengul’s concept of a make-up kitchen ‘MUKTV’ was developed through notions of humour, from Our prospectus gives you a picture of what it TV shows and the beauty industry. is like to study at the college and a guide to fees and entry requirements at the time of (Middle) ‘Presence in Absence’ by Paul Hillon. printing in February 2019 for 2020/21 entry. Hillon’s focus is on the design and production of sculptural forms, exploring the interaction We are very grateful for the time, hard work between viewer, spatial dimensions and and energy of our talented students, staff and fortified structures. alumni in putting together this prospectus.
122 Acknowledgements 123 Undergraduate Prospectus 2020/21 SCHOOL OF ARTS + MEDIA SCHOOL OF DESIGN + COMMUNICA- TION SCHOOL OF CRITICAL + CULTURAL STUDIES