Universiteit Stellenbosch University

BA Visual Arts (Creative Jewellery and Metal Design)

01Feb2018 - 31Oct2022
Application
Tags:  Bachelor ,  Design ,  Education ,  CriticalThinking ,  Technics ,  Theory
Management person:  Carine Terreblanche , Joani Groenewald

Aims and objectives
The four-year degree course in Creative Jewellery and Metal Design combines theory with rigorous technical and conceptual training, and equips graduates with the necessary production- and design skills to contribute to the establishment and promotion of an innovative, leading and unique South African jewellery design culture.

Design, drawing and the production of jewellery
As part of the course, students are expected to conceptualize ideas, master two- and three-dimensional design processes, and become fluent in various design methods, including drawing and three-dimensional model-making. Innovative, experimental thinking and originality of design are paramount.

The drawing component of the course consists of object- and perspective drawing in different mediums, especially in first and second year. In the third and fourth year, the focus shifts to an in-depth course in Computer Aided Design (CAD) where various CAD modules teach students to design on computers, using Rhino 5, Flamingo and RhinoJewel 6 programmes in conjunction with a Roland JWX-30 rapid prototyping wax carver.

When it comes to the production of jewellery pieces, students are encouraged to find new and original solutions when two-dimensional designs are interpreted into three-dimensional models and manufactured jewellery. Once traditional techniques have been mastered, students are encouraged to experiment with self-found adaptations of these techniques are encouraged in order to broaden their problem-solving skills.

First-year students are introduced to the basic jewellery production techniques as well as techniques such as fly press forming, hollow form construction, texture rolling and printing and etching, whereas second-year students are introduced to and become acquainted with cold joint utilization, chasing and repoussé, tool making, smithing and intricate square wire work. Third-year students master enamelling, wax carving, lost wax casting (both with traditional vacuum equipment and the state-of-the-art, locally engineered and produced Hot Platinum ICON CS3 induction-centrifugal casting machine), die-press forming, smithing, patination, oxidization, cold mould production, fold forming and an introduction to platinum bench work .

Once students have mastered the above-named workshop techniques in the first three years, they work on their own ideas and accordingly interpret and utilize the learned techniques in their fourth/final year. Final-year students are expected to submit a self-motivated, independent and visually and conceptually coherent body of work for their final practical examination.

Gemmology
The Gemmology Laboratory if fully equipped to host a maximum of 15 pupils simultaneously and is the only laboratory in South Africa equipped for teaching courses similar to the Gemmology Diploma of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain. In the past, the Gemmology Laboratory has acted as examination unit for both the correspondence course for the Gemmology Diploma of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, as well as correspondence courses by the Gemmological Institute of America. Gemmology is currently a compulsory year-long module for 2nd year undergraduate students in Creative Jewellery and Metal Design and is of similar approach and standard as the Gemmology Diploma of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain


Study Level: Undergraduate
Study Mode: Full time
Course Length: 4 years full time
Tuition fees: R34000
Teacher:  Carine Terreblanche , Joani Groenewald

MA Visual Arts

01Mar2018 - 31Mar2019
Application
Tags:  Design ,  Education ,  CriticalThinking ,  Technics ,  Theory ,  Master
Management person:  Prof. Lize Van Robbroeck

The MA programme in Visual Arts offers an opportunity for an independent, specialized and advanced research project that makes a creative contribution to the broader discipline of Visual Arts. The course as a whole consists of an integrated study of practice-led and theoretical research and aims to encourage and promote independent creative and innovative practical work combined with theoretical research in the broader areas of Visual Communication or Graphic Design, Illustration, Jewellery Design and Fine Art.

The MA programme in Visual Arts is strictly a research programme with no prescribed coursework, where an open-ended project which is framed and delineated in an initial research proposal is then developed into a coherent, critical and relevant contribution towards the elected area of focus, as well as the broader field of Visual Arts.


Get in touch: The Course Leader would be happy to discuss any questions you have about the course. For further information, or to book an appointment, please email: lvr2@sun.ac.za
Study Level: Postgraduate
Study Mode: Full time
Course Length: 1 year full time
Tuition fees: R 29800
Teacher:  Carine Terreblanche , Joani Groenewald