Gray's Undergraduate Course Guide

THE PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY

GRAY’S SCHOOL OF ARTUNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2012

2 | THE PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY

As a first year student at Gray’s you will be challenged to ask a whole range of questions about yourself and your work. You will be expected to do things in new and unfamiliar ways. You will be set problems to make you question your previous habits and preconceptions. You will experience ways of thinking that will open new directions for you. You will work in teams and as an individual. You will explore an international capital city. You will make massive things and draw tiny things. You will look so hard your eyes will hurt and think until your brain creaks. You will take risks and make leaps you never thought you could. You will change your wardrobe at least once. You will laugh; you may cry or tear your hair out but you definitely will grow as a person. No one ever forgets their first year; nothing ever looks the same again.

“Creativity takes courage”Henri Matisse

contentsFirst Year at Gray’s School of Art 1

Spaces 4

Staff 6

The Educational Experience 8

Applying to Gray’s 10

Communication Design BA (Hons) 16

Commercial Photography BA 18

Fashion & Textiles Design BA (Hons) 20

Three Dimensional Design BA (Hons) 22

Contemporary Art Practice BA (Hons) 24

Painting BA (Hons) 26

Visiting Gray’s 28

Entry Requirements 30

Portfolio Preparation 31

What Next? 33

Robert Gordon University is committed to the accessibility of its publications. An alternative, electronic format of this course guide is available. If you have any questions or additional requirements please contact our Admissions Team on+44 (0)1224 262728 or email [email protected]

THE PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY | 1

First Year at Gray’s School of Art

The emphasis throughout the first year is on creating a strong basis of practical skills and processes that will underpin the rest of your degree study at Gray’s. The structure of early projects places great importance on introducing the fundamental skills, which include: taught drawing and visualisation; a wide range of research methods and procedures; means for generating ideas and strategies to help you explore and develop them.

You will pursue the closest possible relationship between studio practice and history and theory of art and be encouraged to see both as integral to your work and thinking. These core values are dealt with in different ways depending on which route you have applied to. These differences are explained in the applying to Gray’s section on page 10.

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“ F irst Year allows you to try everything; to discover your strengths and where your best potential

lies, whilst developing all the important observational, technical and process-based skills that

become a definitive part of your practice from then on. ”

First year can be a time for major readjustment: managing finances; organising accommodation; a new social life and for many of you taking on part-time work. At Gray’s we are sympathetic to the complex issues facing students today and try to timetable classes in a supportive way.

Your designated Personal Tutor will also be available to guide you and liaise with student support services. We have designed courses wherever possible to help you manage your time and resources effectively and enable you to find a balanced academic and social life. As an art student you will be expected to be able to work as hard as you play.



“ Gray’s is a fantastic place to create work in. The space you are given and the people you meet will always be a part of you. The

studios and all other departments are open, so you are free to explore and see all the other exciting things that go on. “”

Spaces

The spaces you will spend most of your time in are also key to this social framework. The first year studios are large open-plan, flexible spaces that are a hub of activity for the School. Gray’s is also at the heart of a vibrant and growing University campus. These fantastic spaces are always busy with many different projects running concurrently or can be used as massive spaces for large tasks that the whole year group can join in with. There is an important social aspect to this space within a small art school like Gray’s. This is one of our

hidden strengths. The space encourages interaction during study, which means that you will mingle and make friends with a wide group of people who you will keep in touch with. Due to this, interaction between subject areas happens more freely at Gray’s than is normal in larger art schools. The ethos of subject and social interaction is at the heart of the School’s philosophy. The shared studio space in first year is replaced by quality individual workplaces for all students in years 2 to 4. These vary in size and type from subject to subject and from


year to year with space being allocated to disciplines and activities appropriately, with an emphasis on supporting the final year in the production of their most ambitious work. These teaching spaces are transformed into professional exhibition spaces ready for the public show in June every year.

“Design is not just what it looks and feels like, it is how it works”Steve Jobs

Studio FundTo provide materials for our students at the

best possible prices, we have a Studio Fund for

each of our courses. Depending on the course

and year, students pay between £20 and £150

annually. This is common practice in art schools

throughout the UK. The Studio Fund will be

collected at the beginning of the academic year

when students enrol on their course.


The size of Gray’s lets you experience our best asset – our staff. We are confident in stating that Gray’s has the best and most supportive group of teaching staff working in any art school in the country.

Our first years tell us so: “The staff are very approachable and constructive. They treat you as an equal and help you by any means possible.”

Our staff teach across all levels. Academic Tutors oversee the structure of first year and

teach the core of your studies. They also have a role as Personal Tutors, providing feedback and guidance on your academic work, and working with you to help with any difficulties that you may experience.

Staff contact is front heavy in the School with the majority of teaching hours targeted at the important first year. We want you to become increasingly self-directed during your time at Gray’s, so this level of contact will gradually reduce. By year 4, you will be using the staff more as consultants and

supervisors for your developing work. They will support you in working independently, preparing you for your degree show and your professional life as an artist or designer.

Gray’s always puts the student’s experience first. This has been considered when developing the interview process. Although we call it an ‘interview’ this is probably not the right word. It’s not a confrontational situation, it’s more of an informal chat; the folio being interviewed with you there

“ The most important aspect of studying at Gray’s for me, must be the ability of the tutors to stretch students and to encourage them

to think outside their comfort zone. This has been the most enlightening element of the whole course. I’ve loved every minute of it. ”

Staff


to help and guide us through its contents (more on that later). We are interested in you as a person too and it’s your chance to show us the whole package of you and your work combined. The process is there to let us select confident individuals who can justify what they do and enjoy a conversation about their work.

From entry interviews to the way we structure your projects, we are student-centred.

The atmosphere of the School is inviting and the staff, friendly and approachable. Our students tell us they find tutors and support staff really helpful and genuinely interested in the students. When you visit we are sure you’ll like the “buzz” around the place... being at a smaller art school has its benefits.

“Poor is the pupil who does not surprise his master”Leonardo da Vinci

““ The most important

aspect of my time at

Gray’s has been the

support of the staff

– ALL of the staff.

Everyone seems united in

helping students to reach

their full potential in a

positive and encouraging

way. This approach

creates a wonderful

atmosphere in the studios

amongst the students

who follow the example

set by the tutors to

support and encourage

each other. ”


At art school your mode of study will be very different and much more wide- ranging than other students at university. The majority of your time will be spent in studios and workshops working on project work but you will also have lectures, seminars and crits as well as spending time researching in the library.

Robert Gordon University has set aside an afternoon a week to get involved in the non-academic side of university life, such as joining the many sport and social clubs organised by the Student Union. This will give you an opportunity to use the facilities at RGU:SPORT or mix with other students out-with your immediate field of study.

The study of the history and theory of art and design is called ‘Contextual and Critical Studies’; it is delivered through lectures and seminars. It develops core intellectual skills of analysis, critical thinking, and writing and addresses general presentation skills. The delivery of this programme informs and supports your studio practice through specific theoretical content. The type of work

The Educational Experience

you will be engaged with introduces a wide range of concepts related to visualculture that will support your studio study. This aspect of your studies will eventually lead to an extended critical study in your final Honours year. This is a substantial piece of written work based on research interests that underpins your self-directed studio practice.

Students at Gray’s School of Art are able to undertake workbased placements or overseas exchanges during their stage 3 studies. Students are eligible to apply for financial assistance towards their work placements from a fund set up by one of our generous alumni. The money is allocated towards travel and accommodation costs.

Students undertaking an international exchange are also eligible for funding towards travel and accommodation costs through the Erasmus European exchange programme.

“Form is the external expression of inner content”Wassily Kandinsky



Applying to Gray’s

There are seven undergraduate application routes into Gray’s courses. You may apply to more than one course. The informal interview process described on page 15 will be organised to so that you are invited to one interview with experienced staff who teach on the courses you have applied to.

The seven courses you can apply to are as follows:

Design Courses(4 years in duration)BA (Hons) Communication Design BA (Hons) Fashion & Textiles DesignBA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design

Degree-Link / Uni-Link Programme (2+1 and 2+2 courses) BA Commercial Photography (1 year course, recruits from HND [or equivalent] to stage 3). This course is partly delivered at Aberdeen College.

BDes (Hons) Digital MediaNew Digital Media curriculum currently under development in collaboration with the School of Computing.

Fine Art Courses(4 years in duration)BA (Hons) Contemporary Art PracticeBA (Hons) Painting


APPLICATIONStage 1 Entry and Advanced Entry Most of our courses are four years in duration. You can apply to any stage of the course. Successful entry to stages 1-4 is determined by qualifications/experience, portfolio and interview. Entry to stages 2-4 is called ‘Advanced Entry’.

A proportion of students will apply for Advanced Entry because they have equivalent experience either through industry or prior educational experience.

COURSE STRUCTUREStage 1In Stage 1 all courses share common activities, particularly in the first semester you are with us. First year is fundamentally about establishing the core of your understanding about Art & Design. Developing key skills in visualisation, research, ideas generation and development, alongside critical abilities to evaluate and question, is core to all our creative activities.

In your second semester, the curricula becomes more tailored to individual subject area. This allows you to focus on areas where your own interest lies.

Practical coursework projects are supported by theoretical studies (lecture, seminars and online forums), IT and external project work.

Course structure continued overleaf


Stage 2You move into studio spaces that are affiliated to your chosen course in this year. Your curriculum becomes ever more specific to your subject needs, but still provides a breadth and foundation to your subject; allowing you to experiment with and challenge your ideas and interests. Your coursework is project-driven and again is supported by theoretical and technical inputs.

Stage 3This is the year when you really start to identify what kind of designer or artist you want to be. Stage 2 will have provided a strong foundation ready for you now to experiment with more self-directed work. Projects will


now offer a greater opportunity for you to customise them to suit your interests. Live project work, competitions and placement opportunities are core in this year.

The second semester of Stage 3 is the point at which we encourage students to start to develop expertise in writing proposals for both practical projects and written research projects. This is in readiness for stage 4.

Stage 4It is at this point where you will be asked which award title your work will be assessed under for your final years’ project. This will reflect the specific pathway of your project work in stage 4. This will be the award you will graduate with.

Customising your award title to reflect your specialist practiceThe following courses allow students to customise their award title in recognition of the subject pathway they have been following:

• A student of COMMUNICATION DESIGN can graduate with the following awards:BA (Hons) Communication Design (Graphics) BA (Hons) Communication Design (Illustration) BA (Hons) Communication Design (Photography)

• A student of COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY can graduate with the following award:BA Commercial Photography

• A student of FASHION & TEXTILES DESIGN can graduate with the following awards:BA (Hons) Fashion & Textiles Design (Fashion)BA (Hons) Fashion & Textiles Design (Textiles)

• A student of THREE DIMENSIONAL DESIGN can graduate with the following awards:BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design (Jewellery) BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design (Ceramics & Glass) BA (Hons) Three Dimensional Design (Product Design)

• A student of CONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICE can graduate with the following awards:BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice (Printmaking) BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice (Photography) BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice (Sculpture) BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice (Moving Image)

• A student of PAINTING can graduate with the following award:BA (Hons) Painting

Application process continued overleaf

All courses are subject to validation

Application Process for September 2012 entry

UCAS should receive your application

to your chosen course/s by 15th

January 2012 for equal consideration

alongside all other applications. Gray’s

however, in recognition of the UCAS

changes, will endeavour to consider

applications beyond this date through

to March 2012.

Please note that applicants who

apply in January through to March

will be asked for an informal

interview at a later stage when their

portfolio is more fully developed.

This is most likely to occur in late

March/April 2012.


Informal Interviews / Portfolio Discussion

In order to make sure that you can

easily attend an informal interview at

Gray’s, we will offer you a number of

possible dates. It will be necessary for

you to identify your preferred date

therefore it is critically important that

you respond to this invite as soon as

you receive it.

Interview

Ever thought about speed dating?

Probably not but if you have it would

have been good practice for the Gray’s

interview process. The process is a round

robin system, which basically means that

during the session you will converse with

at least two members of staff in one-to-

one situations, one after the other. You

will get about five minutes with each

member of staff, so be prepared to chat

about your work for at least ten minutes or

so. Sounds like hard work? Don’t stress,

our feedback from applicants has been

that it’s an enjoyable, even relaxing period

of time that flies by. Current students say

it was a positive and affirming experience

because of its relaxed, informal nature.

They saw it as a chance to meet and chat

with some other applicants, to visit the

School and size up our staff.

Please see Portfolio Preparation section on page 31


Communication Design BA (Hons)* (Graphics / Illustration / Photography)UCAS Ww26*subject to validation

This course encourages a wide ranging understanding of Communication Design leading towards focused study in your chosen specialism. Students develop the creative, critical, and technical skills necessary to pursue a career within today’s ever evolving communication design professions across a wide range of industry sectors. The curriculum focuses on developing ideas and problem solving skills via a process of self-directed study, research, experimentation, creativity, innovation and enterprise.

The department’s open-plan studios enable students across disciplines to work alongside each other creating a vibrant learning environment through interaction, discussion and shared learning experiences.

Through the investigation of traditional techniques and the latest digital technologies, the syllabus explores the application of graphics, illustration and photography via studio based multidisciplinary

practice. Competition briefs and industry-led projects emphasise the professional and commercial setting. Studio activities are enriched by critical theory based study, exploring design culture and context through a series of lectures and seminars. There are also opportunities on international study trips and industry based placements with leading companies and designers.

Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, professionalism, team working and key practical skills including drawing and visualisation. This is done via multidisciplinary projects that explore narrative and the communication of central, social and current affairs that shape our perceptions of modern culture.

In third year, students choose a specialism in preparation for your fourth year Honours project and the Degree Show. You will explore your interests and concerns and develop further depth to your studies by applying your critical design skills

to a range of externally based projects, such as live client projects and design competitions. These provide an opportunity to promote and exhibit your work on an international level. You will also explore the requirements of business start-ups, providing you with the skills to pursue a career as an independent practitioner.

The Honours year is largely self-directed study characterised by external and socially engaged practice, and the further development of your individual specialism and proposed career path.

Recent graduates are currently employed in a variety of roles by leading companies across a range of commercial sectors including publishing, web design, broadcasting and advertising. Several have established their own design consultancies while others are working as freelance designers, illustrators and photographers for major design consultancies and media organisations such as the BBC and Channel 4.


“The course was inspiring, stimulating and challenging.”

“The course was essential

in launching my career

within the design industry.

The staff set up an

industry placement

which led onto summer

employment and a

further collaboration for

my Honours year project.

This then resulted in a full

time job offer even before

graduating.”

“The course encourages you to develop strong personal enquiry skills and a critical

approach to communication through visual language.”

“The placement was hugely beneficial in helping me adapt to a professional design studio environment.”


Commercial Photography BA* UCAS W641 *subject to validation


This is a one year course designed to improve your photographic skills in a professional and student-driven environment. You will have the opportunity to test your skills within a choice of supported topic themes which are linked to live projects and industry liaison.

Commercial Studio Projects will allow you to expand upon practical and technical abilities in studio and location-based projects linked to live clients, industry and commerce. Through self-directed work you will concentrate on your core strengths to build a professional portfolio of work.

Critical and Contextual Studies (CCS) in Photography will support your understanding of photography through historical, cultural

and economic dimensions, exploring the work of key practitioners.

Business Start-up in the Creative Industries and Management Studies will allow you to develop sound business awareness to support your business development.

This course is designed to articulate on to HND Photography programmes and Gray’s School of Art has an articulation agreement with Aberdeen College. This course is taught at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen College and Aberdeen Business School and marks a new and innovative approach to course design and the integration of business and creative practice.


“The course is great – it’s a

perfect extension of what

we did at college and it is

ideal for me to be able to

gain a degree by studying

for an extra year. I’m really

into music and fashion

photography and hope

that I can make a career

out of it.”

“ A person without imagination is like a teabag without hot water ”Alan Fletcher

Fashion and Textiles Design BA (Hons)*(Fashion / Textiles)

UCAS WW12 *subject to validation

The Fashion and Textiles degree is design based with the emphasis on creative thinking and appreciation of market forces and the commercial sector. The majority of projects are in partnership with the industry, providing a very “real” experience of how the role of the designer impacts on the global fashion and textiles market.

The course draws upon the unique cultural heritage of the Scottish fashion and textile industry and its international profile, contributing to the success of such iconic brands as Burberry, Prada and Chanel. You will be working on “live” projects and will learn how to manage the design process from concept, design development, product outcome and finally, its marketing and presentation to the client.

You will undertake intensive workshops which will address skills in digital and ‘wet’ textiles, flat pattern cutting, modelling on the stand techniques, constructed textiles (weave), garment manufacture, CAD, styling and marketing. These workshops will equip you with the practical and theoretical skills to enable you to take a project from concept to realisation. Alongside these workshops you will reference fabric, colour and silhouette trend forecasting.

As you continue to develop your skills in stage 2, you will be encouraged to focus on your chosen area of specialism for stage 3 and 4, where you can choose to concentrate on either fashion or textile design. Fashion design is the design and manufacture of garments where the focus is concentrated on cut and silhouette. Textile design for fashion is

the design of textiles for fashion which may be carried through to the production of garments.

As you continue to develop your skills base, you will increasingly be aware of the impact of fashion marketing and the task of taking your designs to the market place. Promoting design to the right client in the most appealing way is essential for achieving a full order book and business success. This is an essential part of the design process and invaluable experience in support of life after graduation.

Building on this knowledge you will be using the final year of your degree to develop a capsule collection of your chosen specialism. Work will be presented in the end of year degree exhibitions at Grays and at the New Designers exhibition in London.



“We have a range of “live”

projects to complete as part of

our stage 3 semesters. I think

these are fantastic opportunity

for us to understand how

and where you may see your

career developing. I have

just completed two projects

for Johnston’s of Elgin and I

have been selected to develop

my designs with them, into

production. Fantastic!”

“The staff are key, they are supportive and push you to go after all the opportunities… We are

encouraged to undertake placements. They put us in real working situations. This is really positive.”

Three Dimensional Design BA (Hons)*(Ceramics and Glass / Jewellery / Product Design) UCAS W290 *subject to validation

The 3D Design course aims to produce graduates who have developed the intellectual, critical and practical skills to create artefacts and products which reflect and define contemporary culture and enhance and improve our quality of life.

With the recognition of the contribution that the creative industries make to the UK economy, this course is uniquely equipped to develop graduates with the necessary skills to successfully operate in this ever changing and challenging working environment. 3D Design graduates establish careers as self-employed designers/makers of jewellery, ceramics and glass and designed objects. They also gain employment as product designers, design consultants and design managers across the industrial sector. Many graduates will further their specialist studies at postgraduate level both nationally and internationally, e.g. in the areas of ceramics and glass, jewellery and design products at The Royal College of Art in London.

The course curriculum provides and encourages individual choice that promotes personal understanding and self-confidence and is intended to develop highly motivated, inquisitive learners capable of independent study. Team working and critical discourse support the development of interpersonal skills and professional contextual knowledge. Stage 3 students have the opportunity to undertake Erasmus overseas exchanges or industrial placement for one semester. The course has very well established partnerships with academic institutions in Milan, Hanover, Dusseldorf, Hameenlinna, Turku and Hasselt.

Hands-on making experiences and a thorough knowledge of manufacturing processes, appropriate to hard and soft materials, including metal, wood, plastics, ceramic and glass are explored through both new and traditional technologies. The course also develops the essential practical skills of 2D and 3D visualisation, CAD modelling and rapid manufacturing skills

using industry standard software and hardware. These practical skills are underpinned by a programme of Critical and Contextual Studies (CCS) and Professional Practice providing the students with an understanding of the “bigger picture” and the professional skills required to progress along their career pathway.

3D Design students learn through challenging, design led projects often involving external clients, organisations and industrial partners. These projects require the student to consider how creative design thinking and problem solving can enhance and improve our quality of life. They will also participate in national design and craft competitions, such as the EG RSA Design Student Awards and The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths craft awards.


“The most important aspect about my time at Gray’s is definitely the creative freedom afforded to me by the staff. Without this I would never have been able to produce work of the nature that I am today.””


“Thinking about when I joined Gray’s in the first year, I would have been blown away by what I’ve actually managed to produce over the last four years. It is totally different than I would have expected. I had aspired to this sort of standard, but I would never have thought I would have attained it.”

““I think the environment that our lecturers foster here is excellent; we are encouraged to be very independent and also challenged continually to think outside the box and push ourselves.”

This course enables a variety of approaches to art practice, reflecting the broad range of resources and media that artists can call upon. Central to the course philosophy is the belief that interaction, dialogue and critical reflection are key to developing engagement with, and understanding of, the cultural, social, political and philosophical contexts for the making and consumption of contemporary art.

The course is structured to respond to your evolving needs as you develop a personal visual language that best serves your interests, ideas and intentions. Year 1 delivers a broad introduction to photography, sculpture, printmaking and moving image. In Year 2, the emphasis is on developing your studio practice within one of these four core subjects. Some may opt to place drawing at the heart of their practice whilst others develop alternative models of visualisation relevant to their emerging studio practice.

The studio and workshop environment is central to learning. Delivery is through technical

Contemporary Art Practice BA (Hons)*(Moving Image / Photography / Printmaking / Sculpture)UCAS WW61*subject to validation

demonstrations, seminars, lectures, group activity and builds on developing key personal skills; developmental, technical, intellectual, contextual and professional. Your engagement with the Critical and Contextual Studies (CCS) programme enables you to develop key written and spoken communication skills and introduces key thinkers, writers, artists and curators.

Year 3 brings greater independence and a more subjective approach to your daily activity, where you may focus on one core area or a hybrid combination. In Year 4, the final Honours year, you work through an individually negotiated study programme towards sustainable, independent practice, culminating in the presentation of a body of work as a public exhibition at the end of the year.

Whilst some adhere to traditional studio practice whereby the artist is sole creator,

others adopt emerging models such as socially engaged or dialogic practice where the artist facilitates or collaborates with others. Students typically explore various contexts such as exhibition, installation, performance or art in public space. Complimentary professional skills are facilitated across all years through a series of exhibitions and events, where students install artworks within public environments and partner cultural bodies. We have well-established links and relationships with Scottish Sculpture Workshop in Lumsden, Aberdeen Peacock Visual Arts, Limousine Bull, Deveron Arts and Project Slogan gallery.

Contemporary Art Practice aims to create dynamic, confident and capable practitioners who have the transferable skills necessary to actively participate in the national and international arts arena. This may be as a practicing artist or through related careers within the creative and cultural industries.


“…having the freedom to explore the themes and subjects that I am interested in and ability to

discuss my ideas with my peers, tutors and invited artists helped me understand Printmaking’s

stance in the contemporary art world, as well as enter that world myself. ”

“The theory aspect has helped

me develop and work in a way

that I would otherwise not have

done. Helping me to think in a

different way and approaching

my art practice in a way which is

both challenging and exciting. ”

“ This course has allowed my work to develop in a way that I could never have achieved without the

support of the tutors, who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Their encouragement has allowed me to

really develop and evolve in my work, to take chances with it and to have achieved what I never thought

was possible. ”


The Painting course at Gray’s offers students a challenging opportunity to study both the technical and contextual aspects of drawing and painting in a conducive studio environment.

Through a sequence of objective and subjective projects, which explore the grammar and various forms of painting, the course offers an informed context that allows for the development of a personal visual language, as well as a fuller and critical understanding of the subject.

The study programme in Painting offers the opportunity to learn a wide range of traditional and contemporary approaches to painting. The course encourages independent personal expression and interpretation as well as collaborative activity. At Grays we have always adopted an attitude of

Painting BA (Hons)*UCAS W120*subject to validation

‘unity through diversity’ and encourage students to increasingly determine and drive their own agendas. Whatever the form or mode of painting adopted, the student’s ideas and ambitions will, in part, dictate the nature of their tutorial guidance.

Drawing is at the core of the Painting course and is imbedded within the programme in a variety of ways. Life drawing and the importance placed on objective study though drawing is complemented by its application in more subjective forms within studio practice.

The last few years have seen Painting graduates from Gray’s enjoy outstanding success in national competitions including the John Kinross Florence Scholarship and the RSA New Contemporaries exhibition.

The 2011 Exhibition saw Gray’s Painting students being rewarded with a third of all the awards presented. Many of our graduates also go on to study at prestigious postgraduate schools including the Slade and The Royal College of Art.

Upon graduation Painting students possess a range of transferable skills that equip them appropriately for employment in a diverse range of careers within the creative and cultural industries. Many also sustain individual studio practices, determining their own direction and actively exhibit, curate, and further their careers as professional artists.



“ The painting course allows quite a lot of freedom to explore different disciplines… The student is encouraged to use elements in their work. ”

“ Your thinking is challenged, this opens up other ideas and avenues, more choices of what might work for you, something that you might never have considered before. ”

“ Painting at Gray’s is challenging… there are always new ideas and you are encouraged to do more. You have the freedom to try new things you might not want to do, that take your work somewhere it wouldn’t have if you played safe. ”


Visiting Gray’s



Gray’s will be offering workshop sessions and folio guidance during the period prior to application. This is your chance to visit Gray’s, find out more about the courses you are interested in and receive guidance on preparing your folio. Separate sessions will be held for those interested in the BA or BDES courses.

Folio Guidance EventThis will include a presentation/illustrated talk on folio preparation. All attendees should bring their folios along. Specific discussion sessions will be organised.

Individual Folio Guidance SessionsIndividual folio guidance sessions will last approximately ½ hour.

Drawing Workshop and Individual Folio GuidanceWorkshop sessions will be provided that combine both individual folio guidance and the opportunity to produce work within the Drawing Centre at Gray’s. All sessions will run the same project. Attendees to this event should book for one session only. All attendees should bring their folios along.

Please note places are limited for folio guidance and workshop events. Prior booking well in advance is advised.

Visiting Gray’s


YEAR 1 ENTRYSQA HIGHERBBC to include English and Art/Design.

GCE A LEVELBC to include English and Art/Design.

IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE HIGHERB2B2C1 to include English and Art/Design or equivalent.

IB DIPLOMA24, including Visual Arts and English at Higher Level.

Entry Requirements for all courses except Commercial Photography


Degree Link ProgrammeA relevant HNC from one of our partner FE colleges may be considered for year 2 entry.

YEAR 2 ENTRYEntry to year 2 and later would be subject to the presentation of a portfolio of work relative to the specific course. Accompanying qualifications may include HND, Diploma in Foundation Studies in Art or equivalent qualifications.

Applications from students are welcome, where working experience replaces formal qualifications. Evidence of competence in written work may be required. Equivalent international qualifications plus evidence of proficiency in English for overseas students will be required.

Entry Requirements for all courses except Commercial Photography Portfolio Preparation

When we look at your portfolio we always look at it within the context of the educational environment you are currently studying in. This means we are aware that a student who is at college will be getting a different experience to someone at school and we take that in to account. At the end of the day it is not the indefinable, “perfect” folio that we are looking for but a teachable student with creative potential. Gray’s decision to interview all applicants means that we are now better able to judge the student themselves and their interaction with the work in their folio. This allows us to consider the person as an element in the whole package. Your folio isn’t just about your finished and resolved work, but should show us how you think and develop your ideas. It should show a journey of ideas. It should demonstrate a variety of projects, a willingness to experiment and a sense of you as an individual.

If you want help or guidance on your folio, we have a sheet of comprehensive advice. We also run folio advice days, which allow you an opportunity to test your folio on us before the real thing. If you contact us we will send you the advice sheet and inform you about the folio days (but be quick because the spaces are limited and they go fast). We are happy to respond to calls for advice with meetings, either with individuals or through groups, which could be organised by teachers.

“The artist is a social explorer”David Carson


INTERVIEW / PORTFOLIO REVIEW Suitable applicants will be invited to attend the School with their portfolio for an informal review/discussion with academic staff. This allows you to meet staff, see the teaching environment and allows the School to explore your ambitions whilst reviewing your work. We will discuss your folio and specific interests within art and design as well as your aspirations. It will be an opportunity for you to ask questions also.

STUDY OPTIONSFull-time: 4 years. Applicants can apply to year 2 and later depending on qualifications as above.

STUDY ABROADThere are international exchange opportunities in year 3.

THE NEXT STEP IS TO TALK TO US

We can answer any questions you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728 or email [email protected].

We also offer a range of opportunities to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you, first-hand.


Open DaysFor full information and to register, please go to www.rgu.ac.uk/openday

Visit AfternoonsIf you are unable to attend an Open Day, come along to one of our monthly Visit Afternoons. To register go to: www.rgu.ac.uk/visitafternoons

applicants’ daysApply for any of our courses and you will be invited to one of our Applicants’ Days, in early 2012.

Have you seen our current Prospectus?

This gives valuable additional information about student life in Aberdeen and the wider University. Request a Prospectus or download it at: www.rgu.ac.uk

What Next?

All unaccredited quotes are from graduating 4th Year students


DISCLAIMER

Whilst every effort has been made to

ensure the accuracy of the information

given in this brochure, Robert Gordon

University can accept no responsibility

for any errors or omissions. The

University reserves the right to amend

or discontinue courses or amend entry

requirements as part of continued

improvement.

Designed by The Gatehouse, Design & Print Consultancy at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.

Robert Gordon University, a Scottish charity registered under charity number SCO13781


Gray’s School of ArtRobert Gordon UniversityGarthdee RoadAberdeenAB10 7QD

www.rgu.ac.uk

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Documents

Gray's Undergraduate Course Guide