Expand+What is this course about?
The Print Contemporary Practice (PCP) course has been developed with the needs of the student as core to the delivery of this fine art specialisation. The course focuses on scaffold learning and teaching methodologies. The...

Hide-What is this course about?
The Print Contemporary Practice (PCP) course has been developed with the needs of the student as core to the delivery of this fine art specialisation. The course focuses on scaffold learning and teaching methodologies. The PCP workshop has large spacious facilities dedicated to a wide range of printmaking processes. This provides a professional working space for students to develop a complex range of skills in printmaking, which is an ever expanding, and multi-faceted discipline.

To maintain a high level of expertise and compete with the worldwide changes and trends in printmaking as a practice, the main aim of the course is to study printmaking and all its related components at the forefront of research in this area. Students are provided with comprehensive workshops, lectures and tutorials in these areas, which establish an environment that encourages experiential learning and critical thinking through active engagement in the processes. Students develop a range of skills both cognitively and analytically through creative problem solving, skills acquisition, manual dexterity, aesthetic appreciation and decision-making. After an introduction to 3D work in year one of their studies, students also have access to casting, moulding and 3D building workshops on the campus, housed in adjacent studios to the printmaking facilities. Printmaking is seen as the central component to all these related areas.

Expand+What will I study?
Year 2: Development of skills acquisition. The student will have acquired a basic understanding of printmaking techniques in Year 1. The focus of Year 2 will be building on those skills and growing a broader base of techniques whi...

Hide-What will I study?
Year 2: Development of skills acquisition. The student will have acquired a basic understanding of printmaking techniques in Year 1. The focus of Year 2 will be building on those skills and growing a broader base of techniques while simultaneously adapting project briefs to support the implementation of printmaking methods. Printmaking processes being delivered are etching, woodcutting, smart plate and stone lithography, silkscreen, collography. Additional areas being delivered to support printmaking techniques include digital media and photography, drawing, research, professional practice and workshop health and safety. Seminars and talks on the practice of print on a national and international platform will be delivered weekly to support workshop methodologies. Students also collaborate with other course areas and institutions on print specific projects.

Year 3: Implementation of printmaking skills with a self-directed project. The student will use a wide range of skills acquired in Year 2 to develop a response to themes and pathways that will have arisen for the student through numerous projects in Year 2. Year 3 will provide the delivery of intermediate to advanced skills in printmaking i.e. photo etching, colour separation, experimental silkscreen processes, printmaking on ceramic surfaces, plate lithography and carborundum. Students also receive an introduction to FabLab which house laser and 3D print technology. Additional areas delivered in Year 3 to enhance development and specialisation of printmaking skills are photography, medium and large format, digital techniques, professional practice, European Erasmus exchange (optional), field trips (nationally and internationally). Teaching students concept development is a strong focus in Year 3.

In year 3, all students will undertake a 30 credit placement in the second semester.

Year 4: Specialisation of techniques that have been acquired from Year 2 and 3. Students develop advanced printmaking skills. The student focuses on their self-directed project. Visiting lecturers will deliver advanced and professional workshops and seminars. Printmaking techniques are taught at an advanced level and are specific to student needs. Concept development, presentation methods, engaging with an audience, degree show production and display are also delivered. Photography and digital media are offered as optional.