BA (Hons) Modelmaking

The Course

This specialist, innovative course is a European leader in the field of modelmaking. It sets out to be challenging, practical and demanding but also to provide a rich, rewarding, fun and vibrant experience. You will develop technical and aesthetic abilities, experiencing a wide variety of processes and materials in carrying out a range of challenging and interesting briefs – working both physically and digitally in three dimensions. Creative, analytical and interpretive thinking is continually encouraged throughout the course. Design methodology and critical analysis is promoted alongside visual and aesthetic judgement. You will be encouraged to develop an independent approach to learning, designing and problem solving. The course prides itself on its learning and teaching approaches and has a strong team of ex-industry professionals which is further supplemented by visiting industrial specialists.

The course has strong links within the creative industries and graduates are in high demand. Importance is placed on the promotion of students, strengthened by links with former graduates and industry contacts. The course values work experience enormously and students are encouraged to carry this out with significant companies at home and abroad. Live projects and interdepartmental assignments with other courses, such as Animation, are encouraged. You will also have the opportunity of attending annual overseas trips to galleries and industrial venues in destinations such as New York, Prague and Rome. These cultural and historical insights provide an appropriate critical basis for understanding and contextualization.

The role of modelmaking is rapidly changing and increasingly modelmakers are required to take responsibility for project management in broad areas of media production, architectural interpretation and exhibition design. The course reflects this change, providing graduates with the necessary skills to be able to take on the demands that contemporary industry presents.

What We Look For

This course aims to develop highly skilled, insightful and creative graduates and students will need to show creativity, passion and enthusiasm towards a modelmaking career. You will be able to demonstrate three-dimensional ability, observational drawing skills, curiosity and problem-solving skills, theoretical understanding and a real interest in design.

Interviews and Portfolios

Interviews are an opportunity for you to demonstrate to us your self-motivation and commitment to your area of study. We will be particularly interested in exploring how you have responded to a given brief from your school or college. We will expect to see written as well as contextual work, with samples of three dimensional pieces you have produced (ideally the pieces themselves or a photographic record of them).We would also like to see sketchbooks which demonstrate thinking and curiosity, and some observational drawing. If you can provide samples of work which you have produced outside of your studies this will also help reinforce your portfolio.

Course Structure

The course units are designed to enable you to gain numerous creative, technical, digital, visual and intellectual experiences and to develop and explore your newly acquired skills with an emphasis on a hands-on approach. You will be introduced to creative making, technical processes, material manipulation, mould making, finishing techniques, digital modelling, designing, problem solving and aesthetic understanding. Practice is always underpinned by theory.

Year 1 provides an introduction to the basic fundamental creative, technical, visual and intellectual skills and knowledge that you will need to build a successful career as a modelmaker. This is combined with an exploration of design ideas, critical thinking, visualisation skills and interpretation. Specialist demonstrations and practical studio and workshop sessions are also undertaken.

Year 2 builds on the development of skills, knowledge and understanding started in Year 1, and encourages students to develop as creative intelligent makers. You will explore models as devices for explaining ideas, representation and interpretation of design and further your understanding of the demands of modelmaking in architecture, advertising, media production, exhibition, communication and interactive museum design. Within this year, professional practice is introduced, work experience is encouraged and the commercial design industry explored. Team working is promoted through various projects, imitating the team ethos of the commercial world.

Year 3 will see you undertaking more in-depth and complex studio projects and you will also carry out a major theoretical piece of research. You will be encouraged to carry out a ‘live’ or simulated project, working to a client-led brief from the creative industries which must succeed within the constraints and expectations of this commercial world. Your final major project is designed to promote your professional intent, direction, creativity, individuality and strength in your specialist area. You will also learn about the professional practice aspects of the profession and experience business practice. Year 3 traditionally culminates in a show in London offering a chance to meet potential employers.

Resources

Every student gets their own workspace, which is important for personal development and a sense of ‘place’. The spirit of community here is strong - as is our active studio culture. Students will work predominantly in the studio base room environment, but will also use the well-resourced 3D workshops to produce outcomes, realisations and solutions to support their studio work. There is a computer suite located within the base studio with the aim of encouraging students to integrate digital understanding and outcomes into their processes.

Developing your Skills

You will enhance and develop your creative, visual, manipulative, interpretive and technical skills. Not only will you acquire these valuable talents but also other peripheral skills such as team working, communication and time management.

Future Careers and Graduate Success

Graduates may find themselves working on major Hollywood films or at internationally celebrated design companies and studios; they are highly sought after and enjoy ascendant careers in many different creative and commercial fields. Previous graduates have gone on to work in architecture, animation, film, product design and museums, for companies such as Foster and Partners Architects, Richard Rogers Partnership, Aardman Animation, Dyson and Hot Animation. They have worked on such films as Batman Beyond, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Harry Potter series.

COURSE DETAILS

Mode of Study: Full-time

Course Duration: 3 years

Institution Code: B53

UCAS CODE

W291 BA / MDM

COURSE LEADER

Paul Johnson

CONTACT

Admissions

Tel: 01202 363228/363225

Email: admissions@aucb.ac.uk