Art Studio

This course helps students develop skills and experience with a range of etching techniques in a supportive and peer-oriented studio environment. Working with intaglio matrix techniques such as collagraph, drypoint, hard ground line (etching), aquatint, soft ground, sugar lift and spit bite, students will be encouraged to explore how printmaking connects with contemporary art contexts where distinctions between disciplines are increasingly fluid.

Scotland’s landscape has inspired poets and writers for generations. From the hills covered in purple heather to the glorious light at sunrise, almost every vista is an invitation to the enthusiastic visual journalist. At the same time, the protection of a diverse and sustainable environment has pushed an appreciation of the landscape to the top of the educational agenda. This is a unique module that enables students to appreciate the environment, enjoy the natural beauty of Scotland while learning and developing their skills at landscape photography. Students l learn the practice of landscape photography, but also the theory and principles. Students are provided with all the equipment they need, such as cameras, lenses, and tripods, access to a state of the art editing suite and the support and guidance of top professionals to ensure they return home with valuable new skills and a portfolio to impress and remember.

Topics in this graphic design course include: safety, hygiene, and good practices; introduction to the world of graphic communication; signage, the pictogram, the alphabet, and visual information; visual identity, sign, and signal; elaboration of iconic elements; elementary composition, theory of perception applied to visual communication; calligraphy, typography, and graphic arts; evolution of traditional concepts of graphic design to those of the 21st century.

This course explores essential aspects of the theory and practice of design and introduces different concepts and methods of research, work, and presentation of ideas that make the development of complex design projects possible. Other topics include: design methods and creative processes; visual perception and aspects of form; design, meaning, and communication; use and context.

Through multimedia and practical classes, this course guides students to travel across the history of fashion editorials through the lenses of photography and film, learning to create in any media format, from print to digital. Students are encouraged to express their creativity in any desired industry, whether it is connected to fashion, food, art or any other idea brought by experiencing Paris. Special visits and exhibitions throughout the city provide an inspiring backdrop for students to produce artful projects. By the end of the course students have a deep knowledge of the main image creators, as well as the ability to develop their first still and moving images with accessible everyday tools. From designing a mood board to producing digital content, students accurately achieve innovative storytelling. This course requires no prior experience in media, fashion, or branding—just an interest in media and the creative world of editorials.
 

This introductory photography course explores the technical principles of creating photographic images and how to handle a camera and equipment. It also discusses the procedures of photochemical laboratories and digital imaging. Topics include: the conceptual and material nature of photography; analog and digital photographic instruments and materials; development and control of materials; lighting; functions of the photographic image. 

This course explores the various techniques and concepts of ceramics, with an emphasis on basic skills and crafts of clay. The course includes introductory information and experiments in clay free-hand technique related to ceramics arts, starting from making building techniques, glazing techniques, and kiln firing operations. The course introduces ceramic art history and its long-term cultural traditions, as well as contemporary ceramics concepts and ceramics installation arts. It has a minimum of two filed trips to Fustat, an ancient ceramics area in old Cairo, to explore the historical and local craft of ceramic art and Egypt's social history in relation to the field.

This course uses sketching and oil painting as the basic teaching methods in order to understand the depth of form and the style of color.

This course develops students skills and knowledge in 'expanded' sculptural practice through a focus on the iterative and process-based potentials of the medium. Through studio-based learning, students will develop skills in mold making and casting. Key themes and processes such as material transformation, translation, mirroring, inversion, and mimicry will be investigated in relation to broader strategies of installation art and considerations of embodied experience. 

This introductory graphic design course provides students with a foundational understanding of key principles and essential tools in visual design. Combining practical exercises with some theoretical insights, students explore the basics of composition, typography, color theory, and design principles while gaining an understanding of graphic design's role in contemporary communication. Set in Paris, one of the world’s design and cultural capitals, this course offers an immersive experience in the city’s rich visual history and vibrant contemporary design scene. Paris itself serves as a dynamic classroom, with inspiration drawn from its iconic architecture, art, fashion, museums, and daily life. Students have the unique opportunity to engage with the city's visual environment and incorporate it into their creative projects. The course introduces industry-standard software, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, with a focus on applying these tools to personal creative work. Beyond technical skills, students are encouraged to think conceptually about their designs, fostering critical and creative approaches to their projects.