2019/20 Prospectus Inspiring creativity since 1858 aru.ac.uk/csa About Cambridge School of Art 2-19 Come and talk to us 20-21 Spotlight on…. 22-39 Undergraduate courses 40-73 Postgraduate courses 74-83 Get in touch 84 CLOSER TO CREATIVITY 2 A creative community like no other – 160 years of innovation, experimentation and collaboration Digital glitches, inky spills, happy We are proud of our past, but even more accidents and breakthrough moments excited about our future. As one of our – they’re all part of the creative process, students, you will have access to industry- and here at Cambridge School of Art we standard facilities, from traditional celebrate them all. printmaking and letterpress equipment, 3D workshops and making spaces, to A creative community like no other, we state of the art digital animation software, offer distinctive programmes that build on 3D printing and laser-cutting technology, our history of over 160 years of innovation, enabling you to learn expert skills as you experimentation and collaboration. Home explore your talents and discover new to students studying for undergraduate, ones that will prepare you for professional MA and doctoral qualifications across art, practice. design and visual communication, we are focused on developing the individual As well as bringing you closer to the creativity of each and every one of our creative and cultural industries through students through our innovative and live briefs, work placements and supportive studio-based courses. internships, we will provide you with the encouragement and practical support to Experimentation and risk-taking are key to showcase your creativity—whether you’re everything we do, allowing you to express incubating an early stage business idea in your imagination, develop your creativity our Start-Up Lab, pitching it to potential and find your own unique visual language, investors as part of the annual Big Pitch, as you produce a portfolio of work that or collaborating with local museums or will help you stand out in your future galleries to install your latest exhibition. career. At Cambridge School of Art, we will You will be immersed in the world of support you to find your own future as you work at each stage of your course. Our begin to shape the world of tomorrow. vibrant community of art and design professionals will give you a personal insight into industry: share and collaborate Dr Harriet Riches with like-minded creative students; be guided and inspired by practising artists Head of Cambridge School of Art and designers; carry out live briefs set by Anglia Ruskin University clients and curators; and find out what it’s really like to work in a professional creative environment today. 3 DRAW ON OUR EXPERIENCE 4 Inspiring creativity since 1858 Our past Our present The original Cambridge School of Art was Cambridge School of Art retains the spirit of opened in 1858 by renowned art critic its foundation, combining the experimental and social reformer John Ruskin, and has ‘art school’ ethos with all the state-of-the- remained at the heart of the university art facilities, support services and learning and creative education in the city ever resources that you would expect from since. We have a long history of producing a vibrant and contemporary university innovators: from legendary cartoonist like Anglia Ruskin. Housed in the historic Ronald Searle, Edward Bawden (one of Ruskin Building, the school is a perfect Britain’s most distinguished graphic artists mix of old and new: our light-filled studios and printmakers), to the pioneer of radical sit alongside industry-standard film and auto-destructive art Gustav Metzger, whose photographic studios, and our 150-year-old role as both conceptual artist and political printing presses are as well used as our activist has become particularly important dedicated Apple Mac and animation suites. for young artists today. With accommodation, the Students’ Union, medical centre, gym and 24-hour library In 1953, in collaboration with Crick and and study facilities on-site, you will find Watson across town at Cambridge everything you need on your doorstep— University, lecturer Odile Crick drew the including easy access to advice on your original sketch to illustrate the complex studies, wellbeing, finances, counselling concept of DNA’s double helix—an iconic and employability. image that is still used today. During the experimental 1960s, the School was home Our future to many talented tutors and gifted students As we enter the 4th industrial revolution, including caricaturists Roger Law and Peter we know that our graduates will be the Fluck, of TV’s Spitting Image fame, and creatives of tomorrow, with the skills, Pink Floyd members Syd Barrett and Dave resilience and entrepreneurial ambition Gilmour, who played one of their first gigs to thrive in our ever-changing world*. in 1966 from the balcony of what is now We are committed to the traditional one of our best-loved illustration studios. values of art school education, and Illustrator Thomas Taylor, who created the know that the creative, critical thinking first Harry Potter cover, was also a student and problem-solving skills you learn at the School, establishing his visual identity in art and design will prepare you for a for millions of readers worldwide. successful, fulfilled, and happy future. Like our founder John Ruskin himself, we believe that encouraging creativity is key to transforming lives for all—and now more than ever, that ambition remains at the heart of what we do here at Cambridge School of Art. * see: Future of Jobs: World Economic Forum 5 WE GET CREATIVE 6 Why study at Cambridge School of Art? • Our Design & Craft courses ranked • All our courses include the option 3rd in the UK for satisfaction with to study abroad – you can apply teaching (The Guardian University for funding to help cover the cost Guide 2020). – and we have just launched a new • We have a 150-year tradition of international student programme, drawing and inspiring creativity at ISEP, where the opportunities are Cambridge School of Art. endless. See aru.ac.uk/aru-global and www.isepstudyabroad.org for • All of our industry-standard facilities more info. are open to all our students – no matter which course you choose to • Live and work in Cambridge, one of study. the UK’s top creative hotspots, home to vibrant and welcoming student • Our lively, friendly and creative communities, and voted by The Times community at the heart of ARU’s as one of the best places to live in Cambridge campus will help you the UK in 2019. make contacts for collaborative projects from all aspects of the creative industries. • Build contacts and show your work to industry professionals at the dedicated VIP Industry Preview at our end-of-year Degree Show and leading graduate showcases in London, as well as finding regular opportunities to exhibit your work publicly throughout your course. • Your employability is our priority: work placement and entrepreneurship modules are embedded in all our undergraduate courses, and all our staff members are practising, industry-connected experts and leading professionals in their fields. 7 MIX WITH INDUSTRY 8 We won’t just help you find a placement – we will help you find your future With the help of our lecturers, and We know that creative students have big guidance from the Employability Service ideas and are natural-born entrepreneurs. and Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy, Dedicated employability and professional we will support you every step of the way. skills modules will give you the practical skills to set yourself up in business, and You will find many opportunities to you can test and develop your early- engage with industry and receive stage business ideas in the supportive professional recognition, including live environment of our Startup Lab, a briefs, partnerships, specialist workshops dedicated space for entrepreneurial and masterclasses. We also hold creative students. With 1 in 20 students dedicated careers events to get you starting a business whilst at university* started in the creative industries, whether you will be off to flying start. in employment or as a freelancer. All of our undergraduate courses include Many of our students gain freelance the option of a placement year or commissions and begin work in creative opportunities to take up an internship as roles before they even graduate, or part of your study. We cover all aspects of secure positions for when they graduate. finding and completing a work placement Live briefs or internship, from making your first industry contact, to reflecting on how you During your course you will work on live will apply the skills and experience you briefs set by professional clients, helping have gained in your future career. you develop meaningful connections for your future employment and Recent students have taken placements collaborations, as well as to gain essential with companies including Penguin Books, career skills in networking, influencing Hallmark, French Connection, Vogue, and relationship building. Moonpig, Monteith Scott, Alexander McQueen, Walker Books and Topshop. In 2019, our BA Illustration students completed a brief for Headway Photography student Dom was Cambridgeshire, designing a bus commissioned for work by Vogue poster campaign to raise awareness magazine, and has photographed for their National Lottery Heritage- celebrities including Professor Stephen funded research project ‘IMPACT! Brain Hawking, Rag’n’Bone Man and Stormzy. Injuries and World War One’, while our As a result of a paid internship with the Interior Design students worked with Global Sustainability Institute, illustration Waterstones, creating designs for their student Cecelia secured three different Cambridge-based store. freelance jobs, including one with Bell Placements and work experience Cambridge language school. All of our undergraduate courses offer Graphic Design student Emily took up a optional modules that prepare you for the paid internship at software developers professional world.