Material Art & Design

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Throughout history, humankind has formed and applied clay, textiles and metal to create objects that support human activity and are also expressive art forms. Objects may make statements about birth, death, religion, wealth, and power. Their practical uses include storage, clothing, and adornment. Cultural, artistic and technical progress can be traced through the study of these materials. Today, they are just as relevant, enhancing the built environment and the human body.

Material Art & Design offers areas of concentration in Ceramics, Jewellery/Metalsmithing, and Fibre. These programs allow students to work from either an art or design perspective, and are structured to provide the opportunity for students to achieve their creative potential through the development of concept, visual language, technical skill and personal expression. Historical and cultural contexts are integrated into the learning process.

Graduates of the Material Art & Design program have the opportunity to work in a variety of ways. Many find employment in industries such as commercial textiles, fashion and theatre. Others become gallery curators, teachers, designers, and studio artists.

Ceramics
Study in Ceramics focuses on visual and conceptual problem solving, while acquiring technical skills and knowledge of clay and the technology surrounding that material. Exploring the potential of the materials, students gain control over ceramic surfaces and develop their own innovative approach to the medium. Through the exploration of the physical and chemical properties of clay, glazes, mouldmaking and surface manipulation, students create functional or sculptural ceramic objects. Options open to graduating students of ceramics include teaching, working as a studioclay artist and pursuing further studies.

Jewellery/Metalsmithing
Jewellery and Metalsmithing are a link to the past and a reflection of our contemporary culture. This program encourages students to look at jewellery/metalsmithing in critical, new or non‑traditional ways, while respecting the materials and skills associated with traditional fine jewellery and object-making. Upon graduation, students in Jewellery/Metalsmithing may work in independent limited-production studios or take up graduate studies.

Fibre
The study of Fibre incorporates both textiles and surface/design print. The program encourages exploration and experimentation with fabric and fibre structures on- and off-loom, and incorporates computer‑aided design and surface embellishments such as stitching and beading. Students explore printing techniques on fabric with an emphasis on the study of two-dimensional pattern design, colour and dye chemistry. Students may work from an art or design perspective, incorporating historical and cultural contexts as a point of departure in the evolution of their own personal artistic “voice”. Graduates find employment as designers in industry, fashion and theatre, or may work as studio artists while others continue their studies at the graduate level.

Please refer to the Introduction of New Curriculum.

Material Art & Design Program Guide

Please refer to the Faculty of Design's Degree/Diploma Requirements for information regarding degree and diploma requirements for Design program students.

All Faculty of Design programs are developed as semester groupings of related courses. In order to be best prepared to meet course expectations, students are normally required to complete all core courses in one semester before carrying on to courses in the next semester.

Students must achieve a minimum grade of 60% in their core studio course each semester to advance to the following semester’s core studio. Please refer to course descriptions to identify these courses.

Students will select their area of specialization in Material Art & Design when registering for their 2nd year winter studio courses. Please note that places in these courses are limited and will be available on a first come first served basis. There will be an opportunity in the late fall for 2nd year students to apply to change their selected area of specialization and decisions will be made based on merit and available spaces.

Note: All courses tagged with a “†” require a minimum grade of 60% to advance to the following semester’s core studio.

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