Expand+What is this course about?
Clay is an endlessly diverse material. Contemporary ceramic practice encompasses a broad range of applications, enabling a wide range of conceptual and practical approaches within art and design. The Ceramics course at LSA...

Hide-What is this course about?
Clay is an endlessly diverse material. Contemporary ceramic practice encompasses a broad range of applications, enabling a wide range of conceptual and practical approaches within art and design. The Ceramics course at LSAD reflects this diversity and embraces the medium’s rich cultural heritage. Students access an extensive range of creative practice through the combined development of traditional core skills and cutting-edge technologies. Ceramics at LSAD actively encourages students to take risks and rise to creative challenges. Using both traditional and pioneering approaches, students are supported to innovate and establish their own voice within this contemporary field.

Ceramics has been a cultural signifier for thousands of years, providing a rich legacy to draw on creatively: as an artist, designer or maker. Ceramics at LSAD has a long-standing reputation for excellence and is the largest specialist ceramics course in Ireland. Its dedicated staff reflect the diversity of contemporary ceramic practice and encourage the combined use of traditional skills with new technologies to develop fresh and exciting creative solutions. This coupled with superbly equipped light-filled, specialist ceramics facilities enables students to work in diverse directions through this dynamic material.

Why take this course?
Ceramics can accommodate a wide range of thinking, expression, designing and making. We are looking for students with enthusiasm for art, materials, problem solving, and the exploration of aesthetics and culture through this amazing material.

Expand+What will I study?
Year 2: Introduces and develops the core skills of working with ceramics. These include fundamental processes such as hand-building, wheel throwing, plaster model and mould making, slipcasting, glazing and firing, alongside new te...

Hide-What will I study?
Year 2: Introduces and develops the core skills of working with ceramics. These include fundamental processes such as hand-building, wheel throwing, plaster model and mould making, slipcasting, glazing and firing, alongside new technologies of digital design and fabrication such as 3D printing and lazer cutting. These skills are supported by research and design development through drawing and surface workshops and contextual engagement with contemporary ceramic practice through field trips, nationally and internationally.

Year 3: The emphasis in Year 3 is on developing an individual creative direction and builds on the core skills acquired in Year 2. Through increasingly selfdirected briefs, students are encouraged to begin to recognise their desired area of specialisation. Engagement with Professional Practice is encouraged through work placement (nationally or internationally) and the organisation and implementation of an external group exhibition. Workshops continue in relevant ceramic processes, research and design strategies. During Year 3, students may opt to undertake part of the academic year in another European institution through the Erasmus programme.

Year 4: Year 4 aims to prepare the student for their desired career path after college through a self-directed project and the specialisation of techniques and concepts. There is an emphasis on professional presentation, including concept development, presentation methods, photography, statement writing and a web presence. Ceramic techniques are taught at an advanced level and are specific to student needs. The year culminates in an exhibition of completed ceramic work, produced for the final examination, together with supporting developmental material.