School Of Art & Design
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The School of Art & Design introduced me to the world of CGI and the endless possibilities it can achieve – it was the catalyst that started it all.
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Peter Bebb 2011 Oscar winner Peter Bebb was part of the team that won the Best Visual Effects award for its work on the movie Inception, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio. Peter graduated from University of Wolverhampton in 1996, with BA (Hons) Wood, Metals and Plastics (3D Design).
About us The School of Art & Design The School has a long history of art and design excellence and has been offering specialist education for over a century. Our creative community consists of a team of academics/industry professionals, expert technicians and internationally recognised researchers. Staff We are designers and artists, and most of us are actively engaged in research. Facilities Students have access to first-rate teaching and studio spaces: from hot-glass blowing studios and wood and metals workshops, to computer labs with the latest industry standard software. Location Offering a broad range of courses, housed within a purpose-built building in the heart of Wolverhampton city centre and has excellent transportation links to Birmingham, Manchester and London. Wolverhampton has many shops, bars, restaurants, galleries and green spaces to explore. Creative employability and enterprise We understand the importance of students engaging with industry and therefore provide a strong platform for them to enter the workplace as professional artists, designers, and makers. Our students interact with the world of work through live briefs, work placements, competitions, visits and by exhibiting in the annual degree shows – the perfect opportunity for students to showcase their work. The University also offers support for those students who wish to set up their own businesses.
03 Student Experiences
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Making the decision to study at the University of Wolverhampton has simply been one of the best career moves that I could have made. Returning to study as a mature student was a daunting idea, but the help and encouragement from the staff made the transition easy. The access to lecturers and technicians who are clued up on the latest industry information has been a massive benefit over similar courses. Without the full support of the staff, I would not be in a position I am in now.
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I have been given some amazing opportunities whilst studying which have all helped me develop not only my creative skills, but my personal and professional confidence too. Glenn Rossington BA (Hons) Photography, 2012
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Before I came to the University of Wolverhampton I had never done any textile work, I hadn’t even used a sewing machine. My tutors both supported, and pushed me, to achieve much more than I thought I was capable of. As a result of both commitment on my part and the constant support from my tutors I achieved a First Class Honours degree. I left University with an industry-ready portfolio, CV and all the promotional material needed to help me on my chosen career. My course not only taught me the process of design, it also educated me on my chosen career path.
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Jessica Janiak BA (Hons) Design and Applied Arts (Textile Design), 2012
Student
Student Experiences 04
experiences
05 Student Experiences
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I first visited the glass department at the University of Wolverhampton on a sand casting workshop visit while at college. I never considered going to university at the time but had a great day. A few months later I thought seriously about the opportunities I would have studying a degree in glass and applied arts and I have not looked back since. It has been very challenging at times but I have learnt a lot and made some great friends. In my final year I won the Keith Cummings Award for Excellence in Glass Kiln Casting and exhibited at New Designers in Islington with my classmates. I am now going on to a PGCE course to study Art and Design for Post-Compulsory Education. Wolverhampton feels like my new home and I hope to continue to succeed with the knowledge and skills I have, and will continue to gain from my time here as a student.
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Kelly Louise Rooker BA (Hons) Applied Arts, 2012
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The lecturers are very keen on providing the best for their students and genuinely care about their future careers. At every step of the way I was offered guidance as and when I needed it, and was even given more than a fair share of helping hands to gain employment within the industry. I didn’t ever feel as though there was a lecturer/ student barrier and this made it very easy to approach anyone for help when needed, whether it was related to my studies or not.
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Matt Zarandi BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, 2010
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07 Celebrating Success
Celebrating Notable alumni include: • Trevor Beattie • Peter Bebb • Richard Doyle • Yasemen Hussein • Rita Ling • John Maguire • Tristan Manco • Cornelia Parker • Han Sai Por • David Brian Smith • Stuart Whipps
Richard Doyle Richard has gone from strength to strength since graduating with a 2.1 in BA (Hons) Video and Film Production in 2004. He set up an innovative, full service television production company, Creative Productions, in 2006 – where his clients include: Shark Awards, Adfx Awards, Age Action Ireland, BUPA Ireland, AIB Bank, ESB, Quest Diagnostics, Jameson and Good Food Ireland. During the summer of 2008 he was involved in shooting the B-roll material for the Neil Diamond concert in Croke Park and produced two documentaries about all-female Irish ensemble, Celtic Woman, for EMI Music Ltd. He has since worked on many prestigious events including producing web-based video content for the Harry Potter Irish premiere, TV Now Awards 2009, Meteor Irish Music Awards 2009 and the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival 2009. Most recently, in 2011 he was commissioned by TV3 to produce two new shows for them. Both received excellent viewer ratings, with the second one achieving over a quarter of a million viewers, making it the highest rated in-house production for TV3 to date. For more information visit: www.creativeproductions.ie
Yasemen Hussein Yasemen Hussein graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 1994 with a BA (Hons) 3D Design. She has since opened her own studio and secured several high-profile commissions. The talented mixed-media sculptor’s most recent success is The Pleasure Gardens, an exhibition at the Museum of London, which opened in May 2010. Yasemen worked alongside world-renowned milliner Philip Treacy. She designed 22 striking metal hairpieces to wear with Treacy’s hats, forming a permanent exhibition at the venue. Other notable work Yasemen has secured includes catwalk shows for American lingerie giant Victoria’s Secrets and creating a gold collar for Will-i-am from the Black Eyed Peas. Originally from Castle Bromwich, Yasemen is full of praise for the skills and advice she gained at the University of Wolverhampton’s School of Art & Design: “I loved it at Wolverhampton. I had a lot of support.” For more information about Yasemen, visit: www.yasemenhussein.com To find out more about the exhibition, visit: www.museumoflondon.org.uk
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success
09 Celebrating Success
Matthew Evans Matthew Evans gained a distinction in MA Fine Art in 2011 and now finds himself amidst an innovative new project. Matthew was commissioned by Birmingham’s Royal Orthopaedic Hospital to create 12 heraldic designs for a corridor in a new wing. Matthew created a special survey to gather information about people’s feelings and thoughts about their time at the hospital in order to create his pieces, which are now on display. As with many things in the artistic world, this has led to another commission via one of the committee members at the hospital, and Matthew has created a coat of arms for someone in New Orleans featuring Superman. Matthew is positive about his experience doing the MA and told us: “I think there is a lot of competition but you have to find your own niche. It is all about being self-motivated and taking a chance. The University instilled a ‘take a risk’ attitude which you have to do at a high level sometimes and also to believe in your work.” For more information about Matthew’s work, visit: www.10bearsart.co.uk
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Tristan Manco Alumnus Tristan is now an author, art director and designer based in Bristol. He has written and designed several books including: Stencil Graffiti (2002); Street Logos (2004); and Graffiti Brasil (with collaborators Caleb Neelon and Lost Art) (2005). All published by Thames and Hudson. Tristan completed a BA (Hons) Visual Communications degree in 1990. His work includes: - designs featured in The Science of Music Icons (Brazen Publishing, 2004) - designs featured in Visible Music – CD jacket graphics (P.I.E Books 2000) - BIMA Award for Eve CD ROM packaging,1997 - D&AD Masters of Media award to Real World Design,1996 - t-shirt designs featured in T-Shirt Print Designs and Logos (P.I.E Books 1994) - Elle Magazine Illustration Competition, 1st Prize, 1990. For more information, visit: www.tristanmanco.com
James Marsh Photography graduate James Marsh was one of five students shortlisted in the prestigious Guardian Student Media Awards in 2011 under the category ‘Photographer of the Year’. James specialises in sports photography and covers UK-wide sporting events, from Premier League and Champions League football to golf, tennis and darts. James is now working for a sports photo agency in Leicester. For more information please visit: www.jamesmarshphotography.co.uk Michele Coxon MA Design and Applied Arts graduate Michele Coxon was awarded an MA Star for her work at the School’s annual Postgraduate Degree Show. MAStars is an annual online selection of the most promising artists from the UK’s leading MA courses. Each year a team of curators, academics and art professionals visit MA shows and select the best work to exhibit on the AXIS website. Michele has now set up her own studio and the Wedgwood Museum has commissioned a limited edition of one of her sculptures. For more information visit: www.nakedchrist.co.uk
11 Celebrating Success
Celebrating success 12
Matt Bate Applied Arts (Glass) graduate Matt Bate was chosen as one of six glass makers to design and have manufactured a glass decoration for the prestigious London department store Selfridges & Co. The international open competition, in collaboration with the Crafts Council and Selfridges & Co, sought to commission six individual makers to produce a single glass decoration to form one part of an exclusive, limited edition of six Christmas baubles – inspired by the Christmas 2011 theme of Frosted Magical Garden. Matt, the only student selected, saw his design produced by a glass manufacturer in the Czech Republic and was sold exclusively as a limited edition in Selfridges & Co, London, during 2011. The decoration based on mistletoe, fashioned with blown forms and engraving came about as a spin-off from his major project module, for which he created a body of glass blown forms which were exhibited within a botanical garden setting. Matt also received the bi-annual Pilchuck scholarship. This is an award given every two years to a University of Wolverhampton Applied Arts (Glass) student to attend a masterclass of their choice at the internationally renowned Pilchuck Glass School located in Washington State,USA. Michael Salu Graphic Communication graduate Michael Salu is now artistic director at Granta Publications, working across Granta Magazine, Granta Books and Portobello books. Being a commissioning editor his role brings together art and photography, art direction, design, project management, illustration and much more. Michael oversees all the visual work produced by Granta, publishing photography and art in Granta magazine, and art direction of all print and digital projects. For further information on the magazine, visit: www.granta.com To read more about our student and alumni success stories please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/fresh to view the School of Art & Design newsletter.
13 Creative employability
Creative em What is employability? The current employment market is highly competitive. We aim to enhance our students’ knowledge and experience of the workplace and their ability to engage with business to help them become more employable. We do this within our formal learning and through extra-curricular opportunities co-ordinated by our Creative Employability Studio. Creative Employability Studio The Creative Employability Studio is located in the School of Art & Design and is the focus for our employability initiatives. Since its establishment in 2008, the Studio has been engaging with business to develop employerrelated experiences for our students. In order for our students to engage with the Studio, all opportunities are advertised on Facebook: /creativeemployabilitystudio Our students are encouraged to follow the Studio posts – which include relevant industry information, opportunities for work experience, freelance and part-time creative work, and student commissions. Listed below are some of the initiatives we offer: Live briefs and commissions The opportunity to bring our learning into the real world is achieved through the inclusion of live briefs and commissions within all of our creative disciplines. Every year the School collaborates with many public, private, and social organisations, embedding their design requirements into our modules. These experiences have given our students the chance to meet clients, present their ideas to them and make contacts that have led to work experience placements, individual commissions, and even jobs.
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mployability This year alone our students from Animation have designed iDents for CiTV and had them broadcast; Fashion and Textiles students met with recruitment co-ordinators from British high street retailer, Next, and designed rugs for Hill and Co and had them put into production; and a group of Fine Art and Applied Arts students have designed sculptural installations for the new headquarters of Keltruck Ltd – the winning design being installed in the new building.
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I really enjoyed working with the students from the School of Art & Design and the range of proposals put forward was, in some cases, way beyond my expectations. I’m sure we’ll repeat this live brief initiative again in the future and I’m looking forward to seeing the winning sculpture take its place in our new building.
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Andrew Jamieson, Managing Director, Keltruck Ltd
15 Creative employability
Business start-up opportunities Recognising how important enterprise and entrepreneurship are to the creative disciples, we are proud of the number of our students and recent graduates who have been accepted on to the University’s SPEED Programme. This business educational programme runs annually and assists students and graduates to set up a new business and begin trading. New businesses from Adapt Productions, a commercial video production company, to Lynsey Luu, a modern young jewellery line, are owned and run by our graduates. Work experience placements There is no better way to understand business than to spend some time at one. Work experience placements are a key part of employability for many of our creative students. To make them more accessible we offer a Professional Experience module that embeds the placement within a course, allowing work experience to be undertaken within study time. For those students who prefer to build their experience in addition to their studies, we offer the same help and guidance and access to all of the opportunities that we promote. Placement host companies have been based in our region and further afield; some students opting to take their work experience in London and the South East. Our students have been to regional companies such as Gore & Ball Photography, international companies such as Poundland, and spent their time with specialist makers in small scale workshops all over the country. There is an option for students to take a year at work on a professional placement at the end of their second year, before returning to University to complete the final year of their course. Students who have chosen to take this path have worked for companies such as The Midcounties Cooperative, Capgemini and Majestic 12; one enterprising student spending her year setting up and running The Volte art gallery in a disused railway station.
Tracey Dayanik, Chequers Ltd
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The School of Art & Design has provided our business with three outstanding graphic designers in total who have all been consistently of a high quality standard, each adding value to our business by enhancing our creative and design strengths to best fit our client base needs.
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iDM have offered work placements to students and full-time employment to graduates. We feel that the enthusiasm and drive that the students have is both refreshing and contagious and we always form close bonds with the students who pass through our studio.
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Mitch Stone, iDM Design
During 2010 we had several design students at Poundland for work experience. Their positive attitude and knowledge of design has always been of a high standard. They have all been able to rise to the challenge and immerse themselves in the busy in-house studio. They have helped us with our frenetic workload, but it has also given them valuable insights into commercial design, and examples for their portfolio.
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Neil Ballard, Head of Packaging and Design, Poundland Limited
It has been a very positive experience taking students and graduates for work experience and internships over the last two years. The students speak of gaining real – world skills and understanding of the graphic design industry, whilst Design Jazz has gained from fresh input and help with the workload. We look forward to a continuing relationship with the University.
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Alan Muscat Design Jazz Ltd
17 Supporting Business
Lynsey Harris rug design (above) was produced in conjunction with Hill & Co.
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Supporting business
Creative business Recognised as one of the most entrepreneurial, business-facing universities in the region, we have supported businesses with consultancy, skills development and research worth £25.6 million in the last few years. We provide specialist knowledge and technical skill from our staff of internationally recognised creative professionals. By working with us, you could access state-of-the-art facilities, which include the latest technologies in creative industries experimentation and production. Our specialisms include: • screen-based media: film and video production, animation, computer games design, web and interactive design • visual communication: illustration, branding, packaging and editorial design • applied arts: glass, ceramics, mould making, bronze casting • fashion and textile design: clothing, rug-tufting, soft furnishings • product and interior design: concepts CAD visualisation, specification and prototyping • commercial photography: studio and location, lighting • digital print: A5 to A0 in a variety of finishes, print direct to paper, textiles, vinyl banners. With a long-standing track record of working with a number of small to medium companies and social enterprises, we have also worked with large nationals. Notable names include Wedgwood, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer, Watsons Glass, Brintons Carpets, Scheaffer Pens, Next, Kuhn Rikon, who have all engaged with both our staff and students in recent years.
19 Supporting Business
Opportunitiestoworkwithus Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) Knowledge Transfer Partnerships is a UK-wide programme enabling organisations to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance through a partnership with the University and a recent graduate. The scheme places bright, creative and ambitious graduates into companies to work on projects of strategic importance. 73% of graduates are offered employment on a permanent basis at the end of their KTP. Recent partnerships have been successfully completed with companies including: WoW Stuff! (Winner of National Business Awards 2009), Fairfield Display and Lighting (Ltd) (Runners up in the Shropshire Business Award, Technology Innovation and Enterprise Category 2010) and Tough Furniture Ltd (Winners of the Shropshire Business Award, Technology Innovation and Enterprise Category 2010 and Special Recognition Award at the Impact Awards by Praxis Unico). Knowledge Exchange & Enterprise Network (KEEN)* An opportunity to work with a University Academic Consultant to develop and deliver a graduate managed, innovation-based growth project to create increased revenue and/or profit. You can access a significant contribution to the cost of employing a graduate as well as some help with the other project-related costs. Driven by business needs, KEEN projects create a valuable relationship between the University, the client company and the graduate; whilst providing access to University resources, support and insight. *KEEN is only available to SMEs based in the West Midlands Region and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) MAS can provide funding assistance to work with service providers to manufacturers to streamline processes, reduce waste, become more energy efficient and generally improve and grow business. We are listed as a supplier on the MAS online directory and are more than happy to discuss prospective projects.
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What we were able to achieve in a competitive marketplace was greatly assisted and accelerated by the graduate and professional skills and resources made available to us from the University through the KTP scheme.
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David Vesty, Managing Director, Tough Furniture Ltd
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Working with the School of Art & Design has allowed us to access knowledge and experience that we wouldn’t be able to reach elsewhere. This has enabled us to move our business forward by expanding our product portfolio and has helped us to retain our competitive edge.
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Geoff Fairfield, Chairman, Fairfield Display and Lighting Ltd
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Our involvement with the School of Art and Design was particularly beneficial as the academic expertise provided, focused on areas directly relevant to the needs of the learners Charnwood Training Group supports. Engaging and motivating learners is particularly important to us and the input on gamebased learning and contributions to visual design and product evaluation has added skills and understanding that we would not otherwise have had available.
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Ben Williams, Head of Curriculum Development and Innovation, Charnwood Training Group Ltd
21 Honorary Doctorates
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Honorary Doctorates 22
We recognise outstanding contributions to the art and design industries by awarding Honorary Degrees.
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Honorary Graduates include: Rasheed Araeen, Artist Lucy Blakstad, Film Maker Frank Bowling, Artist Vanley Burke, Photographer Aziz Cami, Graphic Designer, Director of The Partners Adam Caruso, Architect, the New Art Gallery Walsall
Image credit: Duncan Reekie
Michael Casson, Ceramicist Ron Dutton, Sculptor/Medallist Harry Eccleston, Artist and Designer Tony Franks, Ceramicist Wayne Hemingway, Fashion, Product and Interior Designer, founder of Red or Dead Barbara Hulanicki, Fashion and Interior Designer, founder of Biba Alfredo Jaar, Artist, Architect and Film Maker Peter Jenkinson, National Director, Creative Partnerships. Former Director of the New Art Gallery Walsall. Anish Kapoor, Sculptor Mary Kelly, Artist Ruth Lingford, Animator Andrew Logan, Artist and Designer David McKean, Illustrator Jean-Luc Olivié, Curator of the Centre du Verre, Museum of Decorative Arts, Paris Keith Piper, Artist and Curator ‘Goldie’ Clifford Price, Graffiti Artist Ian Pollock, Artist and Illustrator Joanne Quinn, Animator David Reekie, Glass Artist
To read more about our Honorary Graduates please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign
23 Excellence in Research
Excellence i Centre for Art, Design, Research and Experimentation (CADRE) Established in 2006, the Research Centre is situated in the School of Art & Design and comprises readers, research professors, associates, research active staff and PhD students. In the RAE (2008) 10% of research by CADRE was rated as world leading, 25% as internationally excellent and 50% as internationally recognised. Director of CADRE Research Centre: Professor Dew Harrison. For any enquiries, contact Jo Mills on tel: 01902 322213 or email: jomills@wlv.ac.uk CADRE comprises five research clusters: • Art, Critique and Social Practice • Communication and Pedagogy • Creative Processes in the Performing Arts • Digital Theory, Technology and Practice • Material and Theoretical Practice Art, Critique and Social Practice This research group is noted for its wide-ranging and internationally renowned analysis and engagement with models of sociability and performativity in contemporary art. These approaches encompass critical environmental and public art practices, photography and representation, philosophical aesthetics, popular culture and the ‘everyday’. The overall focus of the group is to explore and support the encounter between theories of art and cultural and social theory, as a basis for the analysis of art’s contribution to social change. Research group leader: Prof John Roberts Tel: 01902 322017 Email: jcr3@wlv.ac.uk
Excellence In rEsearch 24
in research
25 Excellence in Research
Communication and Pedagogy The cluster team has a wide range of experience and interests in various aspects of teaching and learning, technology supported learning, equality and diversity, creativity, visual cultural history, interactive and multimedia, sound and areas of visual communication such as typography and visual hierarchies. These various areas of interest draw on and feed into members’ teaching and involvement in curriculum design/development. Although recently formed, there is already research of national and international standing including books, journal and conference publications. Research group leader: Dr Rina Arya Tel: 01902 323463 Email: r.arya@wlv.ac.uk Creative Processes in the Performing Arts This research group pursues creative inquiry and critical analysis at the intersection of theory and performance practice. The cluster comprises three subject areas – music, dance, and drama – within the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure. Research group leader: Dr Amanda Bayley Tel: 01902 323209 Email: a.bayley@wlv.ac.uk Digital Theory, Technology and Practice This research group has a depth of knowledge and expertise in digital creativity and audio visual technology. With explorations into both narrative and non-narrative forms in conceptual, immersive and performance spaces, practitioners and theorists engage with both traditional and digital media – from virtual environments to animation, sonic art and gallery-based video. It focuses research on the position (both temporal and spatial) of the spectator/participant in relation to moving image and digital technologies. Research cluster leader: Prof Dew Harrison Tel: 01902 321941 Email: dew.harrison@wlv.ac.uk
Material and Theoretical Practice This cluster brings together researchers rooted in studio-based, creative and professional practices with the aim to explore and advance different methodological and conceptual approaches through the manipulation of material in fine art, applied arts and design. The group’s approach is inter and cross-disciplinary, and is based upon investigations into methods of thinking through making. It uses tacit knowledge, generated through practice, as an important source of informing research. Research group leader: Dr Kristina Niedderer Tel: 01902 321550 Email: k.niedderer@wlv.ac.uk
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27 PHD STUDY
PhD study 28
PhD study Studying the effect of art, craft and design on society is the focus for CADRE, the University’s Centre for Art, Design, Research and Experimentation. From the social interaction inherent in new media technologies, the theory and practice of cultural agency, experiments in dialogic collaborations for curation, to exploratory material processes for performative objects – the Research Centre investigates a broad range of artistic practices that influence the way we think, feel and behave. Recent research investigations, both practice-led and theoretical have included: • Dualism and the Critical Languages of Portraiture • A Contemporary Approach to Tudorian Expressiveness in the Design of Digital Musical Instruments • Instances of the Emergence of the Documentary Real in Relational and Post-Relational Art Practice • The investigation into the development of glass as an expressive medium in China through direct contact with Western methods of making, decorating and forming • Art, Landscape and Material, Subject into Media: A theoretical and practical investigation into the European genre of landscape art, the Plein-Air methodology and the involvement of actual land materials in the development of Post War creative practice. A research degree – MPhil (Master of Philosophy) or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) – is an individual academic investigation carried out under the supervision of a small team of specialists who offer high-level advice, support and training. Typically, for both degrees you are required to:
• develop and articulate a clear aim or research question • review the relevant literature in the field • apply an appropriate methodology or theoretical framework to your investigation. MPhil An MPhil usually takes two years full-time or three years part-time to complete. You are asked to produce a thesis which reflects your ability to apply appropriate research methods to recent developments in a particular field. PhD A PhD is a more complex project that makes a significant and original contribution in the field. Students normally register for an MPhil in the first instance and then transfer to a PhD; in which case, full-time study lasts approximately three years (typically five to six years for part-time). There are two ways to apply to study for a research degree: • Expression of interest: If you are a prospective research student and would like to receive more information about undertaking a research programme at the University of Wolverhampton, you will need to complete an ‘expression of interest’ form.
You can download a form from our website, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/apply
• Apply for a funded studentship: Please check for available studentships online, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/cadre
For further information on applying for PhD study, please email: jomills@wlv.ac.uk
29 Events and Exhibitions
Events and
Events and Exhibitions 30
We regularly arrange exhibitions and events for our students and members of the public to attend, ranging from collaborations with industry to informative public lectures by high-profile artists and designers.
exhibitions Undergraduate Degree Show Our final year students celebrate the completion of their courses by exhibiting their work in an exhibition open to friends, family, industry professionals and the general public each June. This has been a tradition in our building since 1969 with over 8,000 students taking part to date. To see some examples of student work or dates for the next show visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/degreeshow Visit: www.40ad.co.uk to view our archive poster collection. MA Shows The success of our postgraduate students, including PhD, MA Digital and Visual Communication, MA Design and Applied Arts and MA Fine Art students, is celebrated annually in an exhibition – often in nationally renowned venues such as ‘The Public’ in West Bromwich.
31 Events and Exhibitions
Creativity and innovation in glass The School of Art & Design takes an active part in the British Glass Biennale. The Biennale is the UK’s major exhibition of British contemporary glass, which takes place every two years as part of the International Festival of Glass. The aim of the event is to ‘show the pulse of recent achievement in contemporary British glass and to display this wide range of creativity’. Our staff and students take an active part by running a series of master classes to show our experience in glass and we host a one-day symposium at the School. In 2010 the symposium focused on the creativity and innovation in glass and featured keynote speeches from glass professionals Dr David Bricknell and Dr Vanessa Cutler. In 2012 speakers included Danny Lane, the renowned artist and sculptor, and Brent Richards – an award winning architect in the field of glass technology. Open Days If you would like the opportunity to look around our facilities, take tours of our campus, meet your prospective lecturers, see student accommodation, and talk to experts about financing your studies, careers and more then visit us at an Open Day. Please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/ opendays for dates and to register online. Contact us on: 01902 322058 or email: art-design@wlv.ac.uk
Royal Photographic Society’s 154th International Print Exhibition The Royal Photographic Society’s 154th International Print Exhibition visited Wolverhampton for the first time in its history in 2012, when it was co-hosted between the School of Art & Design and the Wolverhampton Art Gallery. The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) has long been recognised for the promotion and maintenance of high photographic standards around the world. The exhibition included award-winning prints, and having access to outstanding examples of photography is of huge benefit to the students hoping to develop careers in this artistic field. To celebrate the exhibition coming to Wolverhampton, the School also founded wlvfotofest a programme of photography events surrounding the exhibition, designed to showcase photography in the region and create a forum for discussion. CADRE lecture series The School of Art & Design regularly host lectures from the research groups within the Centre for Art and Design Research and Experimentation. These lectures are open to University students, staff and the general public. To find out more visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/cadre
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33 Facilities
Facilities 34
Facilities The School of Art & Design has nine floors of outstanding facilities, including purpose-built workshops, specialist equipment and dedicated studio spaces which create an important environment for creativity to flourish.
Specialist glass, ceramic, wood, plastic and metal workshops: • hot and cold glass facilities • ceramic facilities for hand building, throwing and slip casting • fine metal and ferrous metals • architectural glass and ceramics • laser cutting and routering • sculpture yard • foundry for casting in bronze and aluminium. Print facilities: • digital • silk-screen printing • large-format lithography • relief printing • etching • engraving. Textile and fashion: • bespoke industrial stitch rooms • specialist machinery for knitting, leather and computerised embroidery • pattern cutting room • dye facilities • double bed heat press • tufting machines • laser cutting • millinery equipment • CAD labs with software for fashion, textile and carpet design. Digital media: • specialist photography and film equipment including Hasselblad, Nikon, Horseman and Wista • dark room • Sony Flip Ultra HD devices • tripods, microphone kits, digital still cameras and graphic tablets • PC, Xbox and Wii games and peripherals • Stop motion room • Sound booth with mixing desk • Video editing suites with Mac Pros • Mac and PC labs.
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Facilities 36
37 Facilities
Materials The School houses an art shop where you can purchase a wide range of materials for your work, and a digital store which provides free access to state-of-the-art digital and photographic equipment. Technical support staff As important as the technical facilities are, our dedicated technical staff have a key role in supporting students in the realisation of their work. Dedicated staff for each area provide invaluable knowledge and expertise of the knowhow required for professional practice. Learning resources The Harrison Learning Centre contains the most comprehensive collection of contemporary art and design resources in the region. With specialist subject support on hand, there is always advice available to support your research needs. Resources include: • books, journals and magazines • DVDs • specialist art and design databases • extensive online library of electronic books and journals giving you access to key material 24 hours a day, seven days a week • over 300 open access PCs • wireless internet • group study rooms • information help desk • colour printing and photocopying.
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39 Arts and Wolverhampton
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Arts and Wolverhampton 40
Wolverhampton Art Gallery The Gallery welcomes visitors to explore over 300 years of art including the Gallery’s Pop Art collection, one of the largest outside London, exhibiting works by Warhol, Blake and Hockney. Bilston Craft Gallery Craftsense is Bilston Craft Gallery’s permanent exhibition displaying the best of craft and decorative art collections. Explore 300 years of craft history together with works from some leading figures of the contemporary craft scene.
verhampton ‘‘
I just cried going round here because Wightwick Manor is the most extraordinary place I think I’ve been to in so many years. It’s alive, this place is not some museum at all, it’s about a whole family’s passion for Victorian art.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber – A Passion for the Pre-Raphaelites (Screened on ITV1, May 2011)
Bantock House Museum and Park Bantock House Museum is an urban oasis that offers a chance to explore life in an Edwardian home and discover the secrets of Wolverhampton’s rich history. For more information, visit: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk Volte Galleries The historic low level train station in Wolverhampton closed in 1972. Now, over 150 years after it first opened, the Victorian building has been given a remarkable new lease of life thanks to a Fine Art student with a vision. Antoinette Alleyne has transformed the former station into a public art gallery, the Volte. Initial Access Recognised as one of the most influential collectors of international contemporary art, Frank Cohen opened Initial Access on the outskirts of Wolverhampton in 2007 as a space to present exhibitions from the collection of over 1,000 works he owns. Among his most important works are pieces by Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, LS Lowry, William Roberts and Edward Burra. Visit: www.initialaccess.co.uk
41 Arts and Wolverhampton
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The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton Wolverhampton Art Gallery The Public, West Bromwich Weston Park, Shropshire The New Art Gallery, Walsall Initial Access, Wolverhampton Bantock House and Gardens, Wolverhampton The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton Light House Media Centre, Wolverhampton Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
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The New Art Gallery This gallery, just down the road in Walsall, regularly hosts international exhibitions and has the Garman Ryan collection on permanent display with works by Picasso and Van Gogh. Wightwick Manor This stunning late Victorian manor house, built in the ‘Old English’ style by local industrialist Theodore Mander, is perhaps the best surviving example of a home furnished under the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement. The rich interiors feature many original wallpapers, fabrics and furnishings by William Morris, artwork by Rossetti and Burne-Jones, glass by Charles Kempe and ceramics by William de Morgan. The house sits in seven hectares (seventeen acres) of attractive Arts and Crafts gardens, designed by Thomas Mawson, which are Grade II listed in their own right. Weston Park and Shugborough Hall The famous V Festival is held at Weston Park each August. Both venues offer classical music concerts, as does Telford’s Oakengates Theatre. Light House Media Centre The Light House has two cinema screens showing daily screenings of contemporary and retrospective releases, archive films and new independent shorts and features. The centre also plays host to a diverse range of festivals and exhibitions. Visit: www.light-house.co.uk
The Grand Theatre The theatre houses a touring schedule of some of the UK’s most lavish stage shows. It’s the place to go for opera, ballet and national touring productions, as well as the annual pantomime. Visit: www.grandtheatre.info The Oakengates Theatre In nearby Telford, you can see stand-up performances by comedians such as Harry Hill, contemporary drama and appearances from television celebrities including hypnotist Paul McKenna. Visit: www.oakengates.ws The Civic Hall, Wulfrun Hall and The Slade Rooms Just 200 yards from the University, almost every big name on the gig circuit regularly checks in, as well as the latest in stand-up comedy. Visit: www.wolvescivic.co.uk
Image: Fashion show at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
The Arena Theatre The University’s own theatre hosts plays and dance exhibitions from local and national companies, as well as work by our own Dance and Drama students. Visit: www.arena.wlv.ac.uk
43 Applying to study
Applying to
Applying to study 44
study
Undergraduate entry requirements • 200 UCAS points, including a minimum of 160 points from A-level subjects or equivalent. OR successful completion of a Foundation Course in Art and Design. • Entry is based on academic qualifications, experience, portfolio and referee comment. • Offers are subject to interview. • Applications from mature candidates (over 21) are welcomed, subject to the same conditions. Tariff conversion The UCAS Tariff is a points system used to report grades for entry into higher education in a numerical format. Visit: www.ucas.com/ students/ucas-tariff to find out how to convert your grades into points. Finance For information regarding financing your studies contact our Higher Education Advisors, tel: 01902 321032 or email: gateway@wlv.ac.uk Fees For the most up-to-date information on our tuition fees please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/fees
Students visit; Agra, West Bengal, Berlin, Madrid, Milan, New York and Barcelona
Scholarships The University of Wolverhampton offer a range of scholarships to help support you with your studies. To see if you could qualify, please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/scholarships How to apply Applications for full-time undergraduate BA (Hons), FdA and HND programmes are usually made through UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. Visit: www.ucas.com International students International students can apply either through UCAS or the International Centre. For further enquiries or for an application form please contact the International Centre on tel: +44 (0)1902 322735, or email: international@wlv.ac.uk Postgraduate and part-time applications You can apply online for all postgraduate courses and part-time undergraduate courses. Simply find the course you wish to apply for via our course finder at: www.wlv.ac.uk and follow the link to ‘apply directly’. Contact the School of Art & Design directly, tel: 01902 322058 or email: art-design@wlv.ac.uk
45 Preparing for Interview
Preparing fo Preparation If you are invited to an interview, you will be asked to bring along a portfolio that contains samples of your work. Your portfolio says a lot about you. It is a visual representation of your interests, explorations, work in progress and final pieces. Your portfolio should contain a collection of work which shows your skills and knowledge across a number of project studies. You should present a good body of work, but don’t think you must include every piece of work you have ever produced.
Preparing for Interview 46
or interview
47 Preparing for Interview
Tipsforpreparingyourportfolio Presentation • Your portfolio should be laid out clearly and be easy to look through. • Presenting your work in chronological order allows you to show clear progression and development of skills. • Starting your portfolio with a strong piece of work will boost your confidence and get the interview off to a good start. • Likewise, ending your portfolio with a strong piece is likely to leave a good lasting impression. • Include briefs and titles of projects if you have them. What to include Drawings: for many courses, drawing is a key element to your portfolio. Include as many different examples as possible, eg. life drawing, still life, illustration; and show different uses of media where possible. Projects: include examples of different projects you have undertaken and be prepared to talk through the project and the development of your work. Sketchbooks: sketchbooks should show what has influenced you and include research, preparatory work and analysis of your work ie. working through an idea and testing various approaches. Your development work should be shown, as well as the completed projects, as it tells us a lot about how you work. Digital work: if you have developed your work with the use of computers, you could include video clips and animations. Please bring along a CD/ USB flash drive or laptop.
Portfolio checklist P Digital work P Development work P Drawing with different styles and media P Experimental work P Finished pieces of work P Photographs of models and other artefacts P Sketchbooks P Written work, for example an essay The interview Interviews can take many forms, but here at the School of Art & Design our interview process is designed to be informal; it’s just as much an opportunity for you get to know us as it is for us to get to know you! Interviews are a great opportunity for you to ask questions, tour the facilities, look at past examples of coursework and talk to existing students about their experiences. Remember: • to arrive in plenty of time and be prepared to answer questions about your work • we expect candidates to be nervous, but the interviewers are on your side – counter your nerves with enthusiasm for the course • interviews are an opportunity for us to meet you face-to-face and talk about any concerns you might have, as well as a chance to sell yourself.
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49 Contact us
HistoryoftheSchool The Art School first opened in Wolverhampton in 1851. In 1885 it moved to new premises adjoining the Art Gallery. The School flourished and shortly after World War II it was given college status.
By the 1960s the School’s development was such that additional locations within the town had to be found to accommodate the increasing student numbers. To meet this demand a new purpose-designed building was constructed. Completed in 1969 it continues to house the School. In 2002 the School began a total refurbishment. The £8 million project has brought the building and facilities to a standard for the needs of art and design education in the new millennium. Visit: www.40ad.co.uk to view an archive history of the School of Art & Design
Contact us 42
Imagecredits Inside front cover Peter Bebb by Hall Image Photography Page 2 Fernando Mesa-Garavito Pages 3/4 Lorraine Chatwin Page 5/6 Dale Cullis Page 8 Yasemen Hussein Page 9/10 Clockwise: Yasemen Hussein, Michele Coxon, James Marsh, Tristan Manco, Matthew Evans Page 11/12 Matt Bate Page 13/14 Clockwise: Lucasz Gajdek, Arin Sotoudeh, Fashion Show 2007, Stephanie Brown, Next Page 15/16 Clockwise: Daniel Price, Helen Taylor, Claire McMullin,
Kirsty Blakey, Hallstein Hjortland, Daniel Parton Page 17 Lynsey Harris (bottom) Page 18 Jekaterina Riabusheva Page 19/20 Lucasz Gajdek Page 21 Goldie Clifford Price Page 22 Clockwise: David Reekie, Andrew Logan, Barbara Hulanicki, David McKean Page 23/24 Samantha Moore for The Wellcome Trust. Page 25/26 Clockwise: Max Stewart, Ben Kelly, Ross Winning, Rona Lee, Andy Hewitt, Kristina Niedderer, John Roberts Page 27/28 Xin Li
Page 29/30 Clockwise: re:VIEW Degree Show 2012 by Hall Image Photography, Kulbir Entwistle, Jivan Banger, Fashion Show 2011 Page 31 (from top to bottom) Shaoqing Bian (Courtesy of RPS 154th International Print Exhibition), Steve Brabner (Courtesy of RPS 154th International Print Exhibition), Holly Harkin, re:VIEW Degree Show 2012 by Hall Image Photography Page 32 re:VIEW Degree Show 2012 by Hall Image Photography, Fashion Show 2011 (bottom right) Page 33/34 Glenn Rossington Page 35/36 Facilities at the School of Art & Design
Page 37/38 Facilities at the School of Art & Design Page 39/40 Wolverhampton Art Gallery Page 42 Fashion Show at Wolverhampton Art Gallery Page 43 Martin Geyer Page 45 Top to bottom: Mark Porter, Matthew Evans Page 46 Daryl Sheppard Page 47 Toni Sian Williams Page 48 Clockwise: Gavin Lawley, Alice Jones, Maria Forrester Page 49 School of Art & Design
Travel info Wolverhampton’s location is at the heart of the UK’s motorway and rail networks Sat Nav WV1 1DT
Road: close to the M54, M6, M5, M42 and M40, the city offers excellent road links to all parts of the country. Rail: Wolverhampton train station is on the West Coast Mainline with regular direct connections to Birmingham International Airport, Birmingham New Street and London Euston. Airports: Birmingham International Airport is just 30 minutes away by direct train link and 45 minutes by road, serving the majority of national and international destinations. Manchester and Heathrow airports are also connected by express coach links from the city’s main bus station, and Stansted Airport can be reached by direct rail links. For maps and directions please visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/maps
The School of Art & Design University of Wolverhampton MK Building, City Campus North Molineux Street Wolverhampton WV1 1DT Tel: 01902 322058 Email: art-design@wlv.ac.uk Web: www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign Follow us: @WLVArtandDesign