UWTSD
Swansea College of Art Founded 1853
Art School Experience IN A CONTEMPORARY UNIVERSITY
www.uwtsd.ac.uk/art-design
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Surface Pattern Design18 Design Crafts28 Glass30 Automotive & Transport Design36 Product Design44 Advertising and Brand Design50 Graphic Design56 Illustration62 Fine Art68 Museum Studies76 Photography78 Film & TV86 Set Design92 Performing Arts94 Music Technology98 3D Computer Animation102 Computer Games Design108 Foundation114 Postgraduate118 Research122
Our Courses
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“If you ever have a kid who doesn’t know what to do, stick him in art school. I t ’ s a m a z i n g w h a t e v o l v e s . ” Ridley Scott
An art college education is unlike any other form of university education. Its uniqueness lies in the way in which it fosters, directs and encourages individuality, creativity and innovation. The UK has an amazingly rich and diverse range of art colleges with a distinguished heritage of producing globally recognised artists, designers, animators, filmmakers and performers. Swansea College of Art, as the oldest and most established art college in Wales is part of that respected tradition. Since it first opened its doors in 1853 the College has been at the forefront of developments in art, design and media education in the UK. For almost 165 years Swansea College of Art has drawn inspiration from two worlds, a modern city on one side and the rugged beauty of the Gower Peninsula on the other. It’s this fluid and dynamic mixing of the two that has energised Swansea College of Art to become one of the UK’s leading art colleges. Throughout our history we have always combined links to industry with the world of the gallery. Our courses enjoy strong working relationships with major global and UK brands with regular live projects supported by companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, H&M and Hasbro. Our links to the film industry in South Wales ensure that our students get valuable work experience and placements on major network TV and Film productions. More locally we even have our own TV studio, which is home to Swansea’s own local TV station, BAY TV. As you would expect, the College also works very closely with a number of established and new galleries. This provides opportunities for our students to undertake placements at the galleries as well as curating exhibitions of their own work. The flip side to this is that the College also plays host to major touring exhibitions such as the Association of Illustrators’ World Illustration Awards. A key feature of the Swansea experience is the opportunity given to students to internationalise their experience by spending a semester studying abroad at one of our partner universities in North America.
Foreword 4
For those not wishing to spend an extended time overseas there are opportunities for shorter visits either on an exchange or on one of the regular international trips run by course teams. Although we place great importance on developing employability skills we also recognise that an art and design education is a voyage of self-discovery. We believe passionately in allowing our students time and space to explore and find their own direction and it really is amazing what evolves. Maintaining currency in the world of art, design and media is vital. The College has a thriving research culture and has attracted significant funding to support research projects. Most of our lecturers maintain their own active practice and exhibit at national and international venues. This ensures that all our students benefit from working with leading artists and designers either based at the College or visiting as part of a live project team or residency. As part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Wales’ oldest university with the 3rd oldest Royal Charter in England and Wales, we are rightly proud of our traditions. It’s good to have traditions but it’s even more important to be innovative, creative and forward looking. An example of that visionary thinking can be seen in the partnerships we have forged with universities across Europe as Swansea College of Art leads the EU-funded Arts & Humanities Enterprise Hub. This type of progressive project will ensure that Swansea College of Art UWTSD continues to deliver an international art college experience in a contemporary university long into the future.
P r o f e s s o r I A N WA L S H Dean of Swansea College of Ar t, UWTSD
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What Makes Us So Special? Founded over 165 years ago... We are small, friendly, and informal with just over a thousand students in the faculty. This means that the staff are approachable and available to help, support and challenge you. It also allows excellent access to our generous studio spaces and facilities all of which have the most up-to-date equipment.
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Our Graduates enjoying success at New designers 2017, awards included the Hallmark Studio Award, the Marketing Store Associate Prize and the Peroni Award for design.
It’s all about you OUR STUDENTS RECEIVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST L E V E L S O F S TA F F C O N TA C T T I M E I N T H E C O U N T R Y.
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©A.M.P.A.S.®
Jens Hansen
Three of our graduates were part of a team awarded an Oscar in 2017 for their work on the Jungle Book
IT IS DUE largely to our students and our graduates that we have built the reputation that we have. Many have gone on to distinguished careers in the arts, or have established multimillion pound design companies. Others work for companies such as Lego, McLaren and Monsoon and some graduates are working for well-known filmmakers and media producers, including the BBC and ITV. Our external projects aim to apply your individual creativity and extend your endeavours by engaging with the external market place. These projects have been operating successfully for many years and have often provided employment for students upon graduation.
AWARD WINNERS Our students regularly win awards and are given the opportunity to exhibit throughout their courses. Graduate shows take place in Swansea and London with students showcasing their work at prestigious exhibitions including New Designers and D&AD New Blood.
ST U DY A B R OA D During your time with us you will also have the opportunity to study abroad with the Erasmus exchange programme, currently running with universities in Norway, Barcelona and Finland.
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What we have W E R E S P E C T A N D C E L E B R AT E OUR TRADITIONS.
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THIS IS WHY we have retained traditional equipment and processes in the areas of glass, ceramics, printmaking and photography. But we are also forward looking and the complex is bristling with new technology. Studio spaces, crit rooms and computer suites are available throughout the campuses allowing students full-time access to facilities. So, whether you choose to work with traditional processes or new technologies, or across both, we have it here for you. The creative possibilities are as exciting as they are wide.
Love Where You Learn The Creative power of water
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GET A GOOD FEELING ABOUT THE PLACE SWANSEA IS a seaside city, a great place to live and study: big enough to offer you the space you need; small enough to make you feel that you belong, it’s full of possibilities and like-minded people. Located next to the Gower Peninsula an “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” with breathtaking stretches of long sandy beaches, offering spectacular and inspiring scenery all on your doorstep. We have all the amenities and cultural activities you would expect to find in a University City- theaters, cinemas, great galleries, museums, restaurants, bars and a great student night life. We also have an award winning maritime quarter, Waterfront Museum, Olympic sized National Pool and numerous sporting options including surfing, mountain biking, paddle boarding, climbing, tennis to name a few. And what’s more, the cost of living here is very reasonable compared with most other university cities. Swansea has a really personality and is the perfect location to begin your creative journey.
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Swansea Arts Scene Swansea has been shortlisted for the City of Culture 2021, a title awarded to a city in the UK for one year.
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Winning UK City of Culture status for 2021 would result in a multi – million pound boost for Swansea. UWTSD is a key partner in the city’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid, through its creative community and by helping to grow the creative industries, work based opportunities and long term skills programmes for the city. +
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Swansea is home to a variety of arts venues including galleries, music venues and theatre. The city also hosts a variety of art festivals throughout the year.
The Mission Gallery: a contemporary visual art and craft gallery, with which Swansea College of Art has been a major partner, successfully assisting with the delivery of public programming and residencies. The Glynn Vivian: a major Welsh gallery adjacent to Swansea College of Art. It is a centre of excellence for the visual arts in Wales. The gallery has hosted a range of major national and international exhibitions since 1911. Elysium Gallery: an artist-led, not-forprofit, social enterprise comprising 60+ studio spaces and a contemporary art gallery in Swansea city centre. Art across the City Locws International: an award-winning artist-led charity that was established in 1999 with the aim of making the arts more accessible to the public.
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Galerie Simpson: an independent no-profit gallery space showing international and local artists. Volcano Theatre: a small, energetic, responsive arts company. Swansea Grand Theatre: historic performing arts venue hosting comedy, touring theatre, pantos and dance. Taliesin: hosts a broad programme of events and a variety of live performances. From dance and drama to jazz and world music.
Swansea also has a strong Jazz heritage and hosts the Swansea International Jazz festival-the University also houses the Welsh Jazz Archive. Creative Bubble: takes students’ creativity to provide fun, exciting and unexpected events across Swansea City Centre.
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Swansea is also home to a vast range of independent art venues including Cinema & Co.
The International Dylan Thomas prize: a leading prize for young writers presented annually named in honour of the Swansea born writer and poet Dylan Thomas. The Garage: is a back-to-basics live music venue.
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We have designed modules that will help you gain professional skills and make excellent links with the creative industries and the gallery networks so that when you graduate you already have a ‘foot in the door’. A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER of companies offer placements and employment for our students. We also have an extensive list of visiting lecturers and professors of practice who work with our students.
All our programmes benefit from a team of highly qualified staff who are research active, are exhibiting both nationally and internationally and are often involved in projects with Industry. Many of these staff have gained international reputations for their innovative research and creative practice. Staff have represented Wales at the Venice Biennale and been shortlisted for the Artist Mundi Prize. Others have a wealth of industry experience.
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SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN lecturer Julia Griffith Jones won the Gold Medal for Craft and Design at the Eisteddfod of Wales 2017 “Being Welsh, but inspired by folk art from Eastern Europe, has meant that my life and artistic practice has entwined ideas from a number of countries. This latest work, “Room within a Room”, is the culmination of my favorite drawings from many journeys, here made in wire, uniting the remembered and the present.” In recent years, staff from the University’s Swansea College of Art have had great success in this competition with Peter Finnemore winning the Gold Medal in 2005, Tim Davies in 2003 and Sue Williams in 2000. The National Eisteddfod of Wales is the largest annual festival of competitive music and poetry in Europe celebrating Welsh culture, the Urdd Eisteddfod is the equivalent youth festival. 17
S U R F A C E PAT T E R N D E S I G N
Surface Pattern Design The Surface Pattern Design portfolio is all about exciting and innovative surfaces and structures, which consider colour, texture, image and concept within the context of contemporary design practice.
THE WORLD really can be your oyster on this course. We have an enviable range of digital equipment and facilities including state-of-theart computer suites, lasercutters and engravers, digital textile printers, a digital embroiderer and water jet cutter. Our non-digital equipment is equally impressive with full facilities for dyeing, screen printing, stitch, metalwork and much more. In addition to this, you will have your own personal space in our lively, light and airy studio accommodating all four years of the course. We focus on creative inspiration, which will allow you to fully develop your individual voice and style. The programme is structured to enable our learners to continue working in the field they have developed a particular specialism and to do so, with creative passion and an ability to identify and make the most of opportunities. Final year students have the opportunity to a showcase their work at the New Designers exhibition in London.
Anna Bruce
Rachel Rosser
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S U R F A C E P A T T E R N D E S I G N P A T H W AY S
Maker
Textiles for Interiors
THE MAKER pathway, with materiality at the core,
SUITABLE for students wishing to
meets the needs of students who wish to specialise as designer makers, making innovative pieces, suitable for a bespoke or batch production outcome.
design and enhance interior spaces with innovative textiles and wallcoverings – from commercial to conceptual.
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W790
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W235
MDes: T5F3
Stacey Mead
S U R F A C E PAT T E R N D E S I G N
MDes: 5RC2
Georgina Angelone
ROSIE COOK Surface Pattern Design Graduate
Textiles for Fashion
Fashion Object
FOR THOSE students wishing to design for the far-reaching and everchanging needs of the fashion industry – from high street to high end.
AIMS to produce designers and makers who
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W234 Rachel Rosser
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can create cutting edge objects for the body, questioning function, form and decoration, influencing the way we look, feel and wear fashion. MDes: 8V7C
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W230
MDes: Y28U
ROSIE COOK is a graduate of Surface Pattern Design. She now lives in Stockholm working as a Textile Designer for H&M and has a new collection launching with Made.com. Rosie has exhibited at a number of high profile national exhibitions including Interiors UK and New Designers One Year On. She has gained freelance work and launched her printed designs under her own named scarf collection and through Printed and Co. Rosie’s colourful and playful Textile Designer style developed in her third year at for H&M and has university through her love of painting, a new collection collage and pattern. She continues to be inspired by travel, landscapes and the launching with familiar coastline of Pembrokeshire. Made.com “Many of my achievements have stemmed from entering design competitions that made up part of the final major project. Everything I learned at Swansea has been useful in all sorts of ways from putting together a great portfolio to working on live design briefs”
Catrin Walsh
Rosie Cook for Made
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S U R F A C E PAT T E R N D E S I G N
Balancing Creative Vision and Externality 22
THE SURFACE PATTERN Design programme is structured to enable our learners to graduate and continue working in the field they have developed a particular specialism for - with a heightened creativity and an ability to identify and capitalise on opportunity. This is done through a finely tuned programme, balancing creative vision and externality, where specific skills required in the practicing field are identified and developed. Practical projects are contextualised from the outset H&M have visited Swansea and the theory programme from Sweden several times reinforces this. Live projects are in the last 2 years, giving the peppered throughout the 4 years. Recently we have enjoyed a students a real taste of the substantial live project with company, the expectations H&M design headquarters in and the design process Stockholm, culminating in 6 fostered within the brand. students being taken out for 3
month long, paid placements to work with the print design team. H&M have visited Swansea from Sweden several times in the last 2 years, giving the students a real taste of the company, the expectations and the design process fostered within the brand. The students’ design process has led them through drawing, shop reporting, competitor research, customer profiling, mood boarding, colour analysis, pattern development and fashion drawing. The project has made new demands on the students; that they are succinct in their design choices, constantly focused on the brand and the customer profile at the same time as ensuring that there is a sound creative vision in response to the trend, and their designs are original and inspiring! Since undertaking the project one of our recent graduates has been employed by the brand and has moved from Wales to Stockholm to start a new adventure!
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SURFACE PATTERN FACILITIES OUR SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
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Our specialist facilities include traditional print studio, dye lab, roller heat press, flat heat presses, steaming, washing and drying facilities, stitch room, digital textile printers, a digital embroiderer, computers, a 900-needle bed needle punching machine and our plotter, laser and water jet cutting and engraving equipment, and finally a small metal work and leather tooling workshop. Students can also access the mind-boggling breadth of the faculty’s facilities through our Open Access Workshops scheme, but Surface Pattern students will most definitely encounter printmaking, glass, ceramics and enamel through the expertise within our programme teaching team.
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Mark Eley
Mark Eley encapsulates all that we hope to instil in our students; an unquenchable thirst for creativity and design, an extraordinary energy for generating work and an openness for collaborating with like-minded creatives. In his inspirational lecture, he generously shared his 20+ years of the brand Eley Kishimoto, honestly reflecting on the challenges and mistakes as well as the triumphs and indulgences encountered.
of global fashion and design company Eley Kishimoto
Mark approached the course team last year having been inspired to do so after seeing our vibrant Instagram feed, commenting on the design ethos and energy shared by us and Eley Kishimoto. Since then we have been developing ways to work together and, as of this year, Mark has been appointed as Professor of Practice.
LIVING BY THE MAXIM “Print The World,” Eley Kishimoto have always strived to create work that is executed simply, clear in intention, exhibiting a unique creative flair that rejects passing trends and fads. From a partnership forged in the early 90s, the design company quickly gained a reputation for incisive and intelligent print design with their craftmanship gracing the world’s catwalks via work with Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Alber Elbaz and Jil Sander, to name but a few. Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto are currently artistic directors of a new line for the Japanese market Laura Ashley London and have collaborated on works with BMW motorbikes, Duvel beer, Incase (Macbook, iPhone, iPad accessories) and Vans Shoes among others. We have worked with Mark Eley to design an innovative and beneficial way for his Professorship role to impact the Surface Pattern Design student experience. Mark started things off last academic year with his inspirational lecture to the entire School of Design and Applied Art, setting the tone for what was about to unfold. 26
From there we have pioneered a mentorship role for Mark, aligning him closely with a particular cohort. The plan is for Mark to work with the SPD Freshers of 2016 through a live project in their second year, 201718 and then for him to mentor a smaller group of his selected winners for the remainder of their programme. We anticipate that they will have a unique learning experience through this experimental pedagogical approach and we plan to track the experience of collaboration, and work undertaken during it’s lifespan, and share it in several ways – a photo story, a book, a blog, an academic paper, an exhibition, an event. We will allow these decisions to be led by the students and the unfolding liaisons they have with Mark. Other students on the programme are benefiting from Eley Kishimoto spin off homage projects too. For example, our 3rd and 4th year students will be designing pattern interventions to be installed around the city through a project called #swanseastreetwrap, to be unveiled Spring 2018. This regeneration vibe hopes to echo the proactive approach Eley Kishimoto has towards patterning the world, and the duo’s empowering spirit of creativity and community. We will be sharing the work of these two projects and the initial impact of Mark’s Professorship, at simultaneous exhibitions in January/ February 2018. Watch this space!
Flash Design by Eley Kishimoto
This venture welcomes Mark back as Alumni of UWTSD’s Foundation, at a time when Eley Kishimoto are approaching their 25 years anniversary. Exciting times ahead.
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DESIGN CRAFTS
Design Crafts From glass to jewellery, our Design Crafts course gives you the freedom to discover your creative voice and will help you to plot a career path among the diverse possibilities on offer.
THE DESIGN CRAFTS degree will give you the skills you need to work across materials including glass, ceramics, jewellery and mixed-media before choosing specific areas to focus on. You will develop traditional hand-making skills as well as knowledge and experience of contemporary processes such as laser cutting and engraving, waterjet cutting and 3D printing. You will be supported in the development of your creative ideas and designs throughout the course. Our team of established craft practitioners and experienced technicians will support the development of your creative ideas and designs throughout the course and introduce you to current innovations in materials and processes to ensure you have the most up-to-date skills and knowledge. You will study a wide range of processes including: ceramic construction; glass processes including casting, fusing and slumping, cold-techniques and pâte de verre; traditional and contemporary 28
jewellery techniques; multi-media casting as well as a variety of construction and forming processes for wood, metals, plastics, fibreglass, resins and electro-forming. You will be introduced to computer-aided-design (2D and 3D) so that you can work with processes including 3D printing, laser engraving and cutting, waterjet cutting and CNC milling. The experience of such a wide range of materials and processes will allow you to develop a highly personal approach to achieving the creation of bespoke or batch produced high value artefacts and luxury goods for a variety of applications including: architecture, interior design, art objects (for sale through galleries or by commission) and jewellery. The course will be delivered through a series of taught workshop-based sessions, tutorials, work-placements, live-projects, design briefs and competitions, all underpinned by visual studies and historical and contextual practices.
F O R A P P L I C AT I O N S P L E A S E C O N TA C T T H E U N I V E R S I T Y
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GLASS
Glass This vibrant course offers you an exciting opportunity to become a specialist in working with and understanding the properties of the fascinating material of glass. Practical skills and making are core to the glass department. Charleigh Barlow
Louis Jawad
WITH A STRONG HERITAGE and tradition of stained glass, complemented with cutting-edge technology and contemporary approaches, we strive to protect the traditional and innovate for the future. The glass course at Swansea is the longest running stained glass course in the UK. With a history of over 80 years, the Glass department at Swansea College of Art continues to thrive and innovate in its delivery of BA, MA and PhD programmes. This unique heritage makes Swansea a focus for glass education. Our Alumni includes a number of the leading figures within Architectural Glass such as Alexander Beleschenko and Martin Donlin. Our graduates and Alumni boast an impressive portfolio of international architectural commissions and projects. External projects are a consistent feature within the glass course. You will undertake commercial projects with the support of the University’s Architectural Glass Centre, ensuring you leave with the necessary skills and experience for industry and employment. From traditional hand-painting and warm glass through to a host of digital applications you will be supported to develop your creative ideas and achieve your ambitions. You will have the creative freedom to work with a range of glass processes and applications, from Architecture to Product and Fine Art. The course is delivered through workshops, tutorials, projects, live briefs and competitions. Our research-active staff will introduce you to current innovations in materials and processes to ensure you have the most up-to-date skills and knowledge.
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UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W770
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MDes: 5H3M
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GLASS
From iconic architecture through to contemporary studio practice, Glass offers a wealth of exciting career opportunities. Our Glass course will provide you with a platform to discover your creative voice and help you to plot a career path amongst the diverse possibilities on offer.
SARAH KNIGHTON Glass Graduate
THE SWANSEA course felt like home to me, the environment was comfortable and all the staff worked together like a family. Everyone was welcoming and inclusive. It was a fun lively enriching atmosphere to be a part of. Students were from all ages and walks of life, the teachers were so passionate It was a fun lively enriching about glass there was a free flow of ideas and sharing of information. As a mature student atmosphere to I had no art background but the teachers showed me how to unlock my potential. be a part of The glass course gave me a strong foundation of knowledge that I have built my career upon. I had not thought about working in stained glass conservation during my studies but have since found that I can use new techniques and materials within a traditional craft. I was taught both modern and traditional techniques and application. I work for Holy Well Glass, a leading Independent conservation studio, I started as temporary summer worker 9 years ago and am now the studio manager in charge of a small team and am in the process of applying for ICON accreditation. Holy Well works on all manner of architectural glass from a scheme of medieval stained glass in Winchester Cathedral presbytery to ornate leaded lights at Windsor Castle. The work is full of variety both in the stained glass we work on and the challenges it presents us. Stained glass despite being a traditional craft constantly evolves and we as practitioners constantly learn and evolve along with it.
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The Swansea course felt like home to me S A R A H K N I G H T O N G R A D U AT E 33
GLASS FACILITIES OUR SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
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Dedicated design studios with individual workspaces, traditional and specialised workshops with comprehensive advanced CAD computer suites, dedicated wood, metals, plastic and ceramic workshops. Glass painting studios, facilities for glass acid-etching, kilns for glass fusing, forming, slumping and casting. Workshops including sandblasters, screen-printing and mould making, Water jet and laser cutting machines, 3D printers and CNC technology.
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AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORT DESIGN
Automotive & Transport Design Our vision is to produce design professionals with a high level of skills, creativity, cultural & aesthetic awareness with sensitivity towards a sustainable future. This course explores the changing nature of transportation in all its forms. Students are encouraged to generate radical vehicle concepts that challenge established conventions but not at the expense of fundamental human needs.
THE PROGRAMME integrates traditional studio practice and clay modelling with state-of-theart digital tools, with students utilising the latest versions of industry-standard computer-aided design and visualisation software. Staff practice, industrial contact and live projects ensures that students are fully prepared for the demands of employment. Recent collaborations have been with: Jaguar Land Rover, McLaren Automotive, Lotus Cars Westfield, Sports Cars, Arup, Honda, Nissan, Modec Vehicles & Pembrokeshire Sports Boats. Students also have the opportunity to exhibit at New Designers London.
The integrated MDes allows students to extend their studies to masters level and explore their design philosophy through a further project. 36
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AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORT DESIGN
Automotive Design Automotive Design gives students the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and abilities to undertake the design and development of new production cars and motorcycles, based upon a clear understanding of proportion, volume and surface design principles. Automotive design involves complex surface development and refinement and will normally require a well resolved clay model derived from good orthographic views. Experience with clay surfacing is very important in the development or a future car designer as it gives a better understanding of proportions and 3D surfacing. It also opens the doors to the career of Automotive Clay Sculptor.
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W240 MDes: 7F3T
Transport Design The Transport Design course explores transportation in all forms from a concept design approach, including boats, caravans, concept cars and motorcycles, agricultural vehicle, trucks, motorised 2/3 wheelers, transport systems, ‘blue skies’ concept vehicles to film set vehicles and so on. Our vision is to produce design professionals with a good level of intellectual ability and creativity. We aim to develop designers capable of designing forms of transport/vehicles from an ‘inside-out’ or unique approach, supported by research and future predictions in technology, aesthetics and environmental considerations. So if you want to do something different, Transport Design is for you.
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INSTITUTION CODE: T80
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: 9R37 MDes: O4G6
Students are supported by experienced clay modellers working in the industry, most recently during a live project with Jaguar. 39
AUTOMOTIVE & TRANSPORT DESIGN
My success is down to the continued support and dedication of the tutors P E T E R W I L K I N S G R A D U AT E
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PETER WILKINS Senior Exterior Designer McLaren Automotive Limited
STUDYING Automotive design at Swansea was a great experience for me. The standard of one-to-one teaching was second to none and the state-of-the-art facilities really allowed me to explore and develop my skills to the highest of industry standards. With sponsored industry involvement in The state-of-theprojects it allowed me to gain a feel and art facilities really understanding of the competitive industry I allowed me to wanted to enter and helped to mould me into the designer I am today. Swansea College explore and develop of Art for me has really helped shape who I my skills to the have become and I feel honoured to be able highest of industry to say my success is down to the continued standards support and dedication of its tutors.
Graduates from our courses have found employment with some of the world’s most established names in manufacuturing and design consultancy, such as:
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AUTOMOTIVE, TRANSPORT AND PRODUCT DESIGN FACILITIES OUR SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
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Fiberglass layup and spray facilities, professional automotive clay tables and surfacing tools, traditional hand tools, resin and plaster casting, vacuum casting, sand blasting, acid etching, cold glass processing, warm glass forming, enamelling and electro-plating, welding, cutting, routing, milling, turning, thermo-forming equipment, CNC machining & routing centres, 3D printing (Ultimaker, Objet & Stratasys machines) and digital scanning technologies (Artec, Roland)
Our Wacom Cintiq workstations run the latest versions of industry-standard 3D design and visualisation software Autodesk Fusion 360, Alias Automotive, SketchBook Pro, Speedform, V-Red, Solidworks and Adobe Creative Suite. You can also access water jet and laser cutting equipment, ceramics, screen printing, photography, film and video editing and motion capture studios in our Dynevor Centre for Art, Design & Media just two minutes walk from ALEX.
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PRODUCT DESIGN
Product Design
Product designers define the world around us, they give it form and material quality, they make it usable and sensible but they must be able to do this in economic, defined and sustainable ways. Our vision is to produce design professionals able to respond creatively to the changing needs of people in a commercially and environmentally sustainable manner.
THE AIM of the BA (Hons) and BSc (Hons) programmes is to creatively and constructively give you the knowledge and desire to design and innovate mass produced consumer products, systems and services. Where they differ is in their approach to new product development with the BA (Hons) focusing on product engagement and interaction from a utilitarian and emotional perspective, whereas the BSc (Hons) focuses on product detailing, new technologies, material choice and manufacturing criteria. The MDes (Hons) pathway gives students the opportunity to extend their learning experience and pursue selforiented goals through innovative entrepreneurial activities and advanced design practice. Studying Product Design at Swansea College of Art offers you a unique opportunity to focus on your creative development. We are proud to be able to run concentrated, small teaching groups and regular ‘one-to-one’ tutorials, where, as a student, you will focus on developing your understanding and individual professional growth. We have excellent facilities that integrate traditional studio and workshop practices with state-of-the-art digital and prototyping tools. Throughout your studies, you will be encouraged to learn and grow the skills and knowledge to produce both digital and physical products; you will engage with industry in ‘live’ projects; you will push the boundaries of your intellectual capacity and you will develop innovative product ideas. We see you as INDIVIDUALS and are dedicated to helping you explore ways to achieve your full creative potential.
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Leon Evans
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Product Design This course explores creativity inter-disciplinary, human-centred aspects of three dimensional product design. You will be encouraged to be diverse in your thinking and practical approaches, to challenge the boundaries of the design field to your design exporations and creative challenges. This course will equip you with the confidence and a wide range of skills to begin your career. You will question the roles that designers play and the impacts that design and designers can have on social, political, environmental and commercial contexts. Approaches for idea generation, form development and product interaction are explored through studio and workshop practice, state-of-the-art digital tools, allied with a sound understanding of materials and manufacturing through 3D printing and other prototyping facilities. UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W242 MDes: OP2M
Product Design and Technology The course philosophy is to produce professional design graduates that are creative and innovative, and can design products that not only look good but work well. There is a strong emphasis on design optimisation and technical awareness in regard to material choice, manufacturing criteria and product architecture allied with the knowledge of realising a design outcome through sustainable practices and commercial integrity. You will be encouraged to explore new ways to solve problems, and introduced to state-of-the-art digital design tools and prototyping technologies to explore your design thinking and shape our future relationships with the products we need or don’t need? UWTSD BSc UCAS CODE: W284 MDes: W200
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Rhys Kilbuern
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PRODUCT DESIGN
KEIRA GWYNN Project Leader Marketing @ R82, Denmark Specialists in assistive products for disabled children and adults
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KEIRA IS the originator of Scallop, a unique and fun seat that focuses on three factors, Simplicity, Portability and Versatility. It provides a seating solution for those who require extra support whilst floor sitting or sitting on a chair. This was an idea developed at Swansea College of Art then commercialised by R82 and launched globally in 2017. “I cannot believe I’m actually here, developing my idea into product reality. The programme gave me opportunities to find myself and explore my potential, culminating in me gaining an internship and then a full time job with R82, a company who design high quality aids for children and teenagers with special needs. They were interested in taking my undergraduate project further, which resulted in me undertaking further research during my master’s degree to I cannot believe demonstrate a definite need and consolidate the design features. I’m actually The past two years have been a like a here, developing whirlwind, with trepidation and excitement. my idea into After a global launch the product, called SCALLOP, is now in production and product reality distributed worldwide. Its really rewarding for me to know that my idea is now helping kids with special needs all over the world participate in everyday activities and enjoy their lives to the full. Product Design is one of those disciplines where you can visualise and create your imagination; there is no better feeling than seeing your outcome putting a smile of someone’s face.”
The past two years have been like a whirlwind K E I R A G W Y N N G R A D U AT E
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ADVERTISING AND BRAND DESIGN
Advertising and Brand Design Our Advertising and Brand Design course attracts ‘ideas’ people who believe every day is an exciting opportunity to explore new concepts.
Hannah Barnes and Jordan Tench
STUDYING ADVERTISING and Brand Design will allow you to explore all aspects of persuasive visual communication, including: graphic design, typography, copywriting, digital advertising, social media, brand experience, emerging technologies and marketing. We nurture our students to become visionary and forward-thinking creative professionals who will be equipped to solve the communication challenges of the future. The course will give you the creative ability and confidence to really make your mark. We are small, friendly, informal and proud of it. This means our staff are approachable and available to help, support and challenge you. There is ample studio space and access to up-to-date equipment and facilities. Because we have smaller class sizes than many universities, there is considerable contact time with lecturers and plenty of individual and small group tutorials. This creates a dynamic creative environment within which you can confidently develop your conceptual skills and ideas. 50
The course is also about communication for business and enterprise. We liaise with businesses and look at real problems to solve from the very outset by working on ‘live’ client briefs. Our ‘hands on’ projects include design for branding, creative art direction, ‘pitching’ concepts and ideas, planning marketing strategies and creating innovative new campaigns. This is what the course is all about. Recent graduate Ross Weaver is now working as an Art Director in Amsterdam for an international agency. He says: “Without this course I wouldn’t be having the time of my life doing something that I love.” The Advertising and Brand Design course is part of the D&AD University Network. Membership of this network gives our students the opportunity to profile themselves, and their work, at the D&AD New Blood Festival in Shoreditch, London, during the final year of the course. The festival is a great opportunity to meet industry creatives from some of the top advertising agencies in the country.
Ross Weaver and Danielle Leigh Hall
Francesca Murray-Shelley
Cameron Millwater
In the most recent 2017 NSS survey 92% of our students agreed that the course has provided them with opportunities to bring information and ideas together from different topics. UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA W221 | MDes S2J5
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LAURA MARQUISS Advertising and Brand Design Graduate
WHEN I LEFT SCHOOL I was clueless about what I wanted to do with my future. I did however, know that I wanted the experience of university and to put my creative flair to use in an industry that offered realistic job prospects. Throughout my time at uni on the Advertising and Brand Design course, I covered a wide range of modules including everything from creative thinking, copywriting, branding, marketing, self-promotion, digital, graphic design, event management, social media… the list is endless! Through these modules I learnt how to work effectively in a team and how to work with real clients. On this course your hand is not held but you are supported throughout and encouraged to seek out opportunities and get involved. If you work hard you will truly reap the benefits. I found when I was looking for my first job, there was a lot of competition but utilising the skills I had acquired made getting that first foot through the door easier. I find the skills I learnt still Without the come into play now - this course makes you support from the think differently and gives you a real sense of entrepreneurism. course I truly Upon graduation, I applied for believe that I several internships and was thrilled to get an interview at a renowned advertising wouldn’t have agency in Manchester. It was somewhere had the guts to I was unfamiliar with, but without the go there for the support from the course I truly believe that I wouldn’t have had the guts to go there for interview. 52
the interview. I was over the moon when I was chosen for the internship and within two weeks I left to start this new chapter. My managerial and organisational skills were recognised and as a result the internship progressed into a full-time job as an account executive. The role involved working as part of the client services team managing relationships between some big brands and the agency and progressing the creative work through the agency. I love agency life as your colleagues become some of your best friends. You are required to work as one team, aiming for the same goal and it’s inspiring to work alongside such talented people in an industry that is continually changing. During my time at the agency I developed an interest in digital projects such as app design and social media and so decided to make my next move up the career ladder to a digital marketing agency. Within a short time, I was awarded with the ‘Employee of the Month’ award, and nominated for the ‘Most Promising Young Person in Manchester’ award at the ‘Manchester Young Talent Awards 2016’. I have recently moved into a new marketing area and the skills I learnt continue to prove invaluable. I now work in an events and live communications agency on more tangible projects. This is something that I had enjoyed in my third year of uni. At the moment I’m busy planning the lead up to an event in Milan and am excited to undertake my first onsite managerial role!
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Students across the faculty have access to dedicated Mac suites, regularly updated to ensure they remain the highest spec machines.
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GRAPHIC DESIGN
Graphic Design The Graphic Design course at Swansea College of Art prepares students for dynamic and diverse futures in the everwidening world of visual communication. Transform your creativity into a vocation.
Morwenna Stewart
GRAPHIC DESIGN might take the form of magazines,
Lucy Cooper
newspapers or books, packaging, posters, information graphics, logos and corporate identities or signage systems. It may transmit its message via web design, motion graphics or user interface design. We interact with graphic design every day as we navigate our world. Armed with words and images, skills and imagination, our graduates are equipped and capable of making meaningful visual interventions and contributions in the creative landscapes that they enter. The course is delivered by a passionate staff team, nurturing students in a supportive, friendly learning environment, with a professional, industryreflective work ethic. Your personal aspirations are very important to us and we will strive to empower you with a graduate portfolio bursting with the creative confidence you need to make a smooth transition into the working world of design.
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Anna Jehan
Morwenna Stewart
Just Griff
Our Graphic Design students attain some of the most exciting national and international careers on offer, year after year. Linh Duong
U W T S D U C AS C O D E : B A W 2 10
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MDes 52J6
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GRAPHIC DESIGN
“AFTER GRADUATING in 2004 I was fortunate enough to work for FITCH in London where I spent 5 years working at such a creative and strategic company. Working at FITCH provided many opportunities to work on Retail and Brandled projects. Some of the clients I was most involved with at FITCH were Vodafone, Dell, McLaren Automotive, 2012 Olympics, Andaz Hotels and many many more. After FITCH I freelanced at agencies such as Imagination, Identica and Brand Union in London before woking with FITCH in Mumbai, India where I had the opportunities to work on a diverse range of projects in a very different cultural surrounding. After India I was offered a job working in New York with Stag&Hare where I spent 5 years working predominately in packaging for brands such as Coca-Cola, Sprite, Hubert’s Lemonade but also on brand and campaign work I truly believe for IHG, Campari and many many more clients. the teaching in Now I am a Design Director at FITCH in New York Swansea College City, focusing on setting up the NYC studio and working across the global network of studios, of Art is second working with clients such as Hilton Hotels, to none. Dell and the Museum of Art and Design. I have been very fortunate to work internationally and in large and small agencies all of which have developed many opportunities to grow as a designer and experience many different cultures, all of which have influenced my design style. I truly believe the teaching in Swansea College of Art is second to none. Over the years I have followed the work that’s been outputted by the University and am continually impressed with how well equipped the students are to enter the commercial world of design. As a graduate of Swansea College I would never of Art I can honestly say I made the right have had the level choice when choosing my university, I would never have had the level of mentorship and of mentorship creative development in other universities. and creative The teaching staff truly care for their students development in and manage to find each student’s individual other universities. strengths to progress their skill set.”
PHILL REES Graphic Design Graduate
Now I am a Design Director at FITCH in New York City P H I L L R E E S G R A D U AT E D 2 0 0 4 58
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We encourage students to work with traditional printing methods, using lead type in our dedicated letterpress room.
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I L L U S T R AT I O N
Illustration The lively and creative atmosphere in our studios provides a comfortable, friendly and stimulating environment in which to thrive and develop your skills and ideas. There is space and opportunity to work large-scale, 3D, create installations and make the studios your own.
THE ILLUSTRATION course here at Swansea reflects and embraces the diverse nature of contemporary illustration and will encourage you to challenge the concept of what illustration can be and to pursue a personal direction in your work. The Illustration course offers a broad and dynamic programme, designed to encourage the conceptualisation and realisation of ideas and narrative. It will allow you to explore a wide range of techniques, materials and styles in order to determine personal strengths. As you progress through the course we help you discover what kind of illustrator you want to be, the area of the industry that interests you and your eventual career direction, enabling you to realise your full potential as a visual communicator. Within our department, we have an impressive range of digital equipment and facilities including a dedicated suite of iMacs, WaCom tablets and large Cintiq drawing screens, as well as a laser cutter. Our non-digital facilities are equally exciting: a printmaking studio for Lino, Screenprint, Etching & Collagraph, and a letterpress studio with four Adana letterpress machines and bookmaking equipment. All of this gives you a fantastic opportunity to experiment and explore the creative potential of combining traditional techniques with state-of-the-art digital technology.
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Third year studio
UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA W220
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MDes H21Y
It is an extremely exciting time to be an illustrator and this course will provide the platform for you to learn required skills and techniques, develop your individual approach and unique visual signature and understand the needs of this rapidly evolving and vibrant industry. Hard work and passion are key when it comes to flourishing at university and prospering in the industry. These traits cannot be taught, however this course will inspire and ignite a spark that will encourage you to exceed your own expectations.
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I L L U S T R AT I O N
LUCY LITTLER Illustration Graduate
Mike Redman
Francesca Schum
Naomi Mitchell
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“ART HAS ALWAYS been a huge passion for me and I have even more love for illustration. Doing my degree in Swansea College of Art has been the best choice I've made in my life so far. The course brings so many opportunities for students - guest speakers, course trips, collaborations with other courses and the ability to The main reason I find your niche as a creative. The main reason I loved studying in Swansea loved studying in was that the lecturers were so friendly. Swansea was that Because they were and still are the lecturers were practicing illustrators themselves, they have a lot of knowledge of the outside so friendly. world and one of their main priorities within the three year course is getting you ready to become a practicing illustrator after graduating. At the end of the third year, students have the opportunity to showcase their work in the biggest exhibition for new graduates in the UK. The New Designers show in London was the point where I thought I could actually make illustration a career. I won the Hallmark Studio award where I was given a two month placement. Winning the award has given me so much publicity to start on my own path as a creative and I can't wait to see where the future takes me.�
Emily Bruce
Lucy Littler
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Students have regular open access to our lifedrawing studio. 66
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FINE ART
Darren Mundy
Caitlin Littlejohns
Anja Stenina
THE COURSE is studio based with all students allocated
Fine Art Studio, Site & Context Swansea College of Art has been providing a Fine Art education to Wales, the UK and beyond to the same exacting standards since 1853. Our reputation as a centre of excellence and innovation in the arts is still maintained today with contemporary facilities and a lecturing staff of international artists from across the disciplines. 68
Scott Mackenzie
with an emphasis on innovation through materials, techniques and critical strategies. By exploring through research methods and developing a personal work structure that incorporates time management and professional practices, students will experience a rich, intensive and varied programme. Students will co-curate all shows generated through the course with members of staff, learning by doing the presentation models that might be appropriate to their art practice. Professional standards will be taught and adhered to throughout the course, even if practices are disruptive, political, playful or anarchic. The Fine Art course has excellent access connections to all sections of the art world – locally; the community-artist project, ‘Elysium’, local galleries which operate internationally such as The Mission and Gallerie Simpson, as well as Swansea’s historic Glynn Vivian Gallery. UK national and international links include The Beep painting award and the Artes Mundi Prize. Trips are organized to the Venice Biennale where some of our lecturers have featured as artists and students can apply to go on study abroad to institutions around the world. As a creative immersive experience Swansea has both a long traditional heritage and an experimental contemporary present that proves that the city is a vibrant centre for Fine Art education that matches anywhere in the UK.
a working space, as well as access to installation spaces, a broad range of workshops and the life drawing studios. We are practice based with a theoretical underpinning that allows the students to practice within medium specificity; painting for instance, or to utilise a trans-disciplinary strategy that allows for all forms of creative assemblages to emerge. Students are encouraged to be experimental both with materiality and concept in an effort to forge complex social communications through all aspects of Fine Art practice. The course emphasizes learning through making, both responding and engaging with the interface between ideas and material. Diverse specialisms are brought to the course through the staff’s practice and research and we encourage our students to develop a personal language through their own creation of new discourses. Students will be introduced to the nuances of a raft of practices including of course painting and drawing, sculpture, photography, video, installation, site-responsive and situation specific practices. Performative perspectives can be explored through any of these options and materials can include metal, stone, resin, clay, glass and more. Through workshops, lectures, seminars, demonstrations, visits and guest lectures students will develop a sound understanding of contemporary practice
UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA 2T12
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MArts M5A7
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FINE ART
ALEXANDER DUNCAN Fine Art Graduate
ALEXANDER DUNCAN grew up in Swansea where he studied on the Foundation Art and Design Course before completing his BA in Fine Art at Swansea College of Art in 2007. On graduating, Alex collaborated with fellow UWTSD graduate Jonathan Anderson on several two-person shows including Real Estate at Elysium. In 2011 shortly before moving to London Alex had his first solo show surge with Mission Gallery. Alex went on to study for an MA in Sculpture at the Royal College of Art graduating in 2015, the same year he was selected for the London Open at the Whitechapel Gallery and was the recipient of the Wakelin Award The teaching staff truly by the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery. In 2017 Alex had his first international solo show Blow in at Aldama care for their students Fabre Gallery, Bilbao. He works between Swansea and London where he has his studio and coand manage to directs a project space ArtLacuna. “The teaching find each student’s staff truly care for their students and manage individual strengths to to find each student’s individual strengths to progress their skill set. progress their skill set.”
International solo show at Aldama Fabre Gallery, Bilbao A L E X A N D E R D U N C A N G R A D U AT E 70
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FINE ART FACILITIES OUR SPECIALIST WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
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All Fine Art students have dedicated studio spaces. Our excellent facilities also include metal, wood, resin and ceramic workshops, as well as laser and water-jet cutting and digital studios/darkrooms.
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KAREN MACKINNON
Karen MacKinnon
As Professor of Practice Karen continues to forge her close relationship with Swansea College of Art and we look forward to many more exciting collaborative projects with her.
Director and Curator at Artes Mundi International Visual Arts Exhibition and Prize
KAREN IS a passionate advocate for the contemporary arts in Wales and has been an inspirational collaborator with Swansea College of Art for many years, commissioning staff and students for exhibitions, curating projects and by getting involved in our teaching programmes. During her career Karen has organised both contemporary and historical exhibitions and has developed a particular interest in socially engaged practice and how contemporary art can be a catalyst for social change. At Chapter Arts Centre, where she began her career, Karen focused on solo exhibitions and commissions with artists such as Lucy Gunning, Nick Crowe and Orlan. Later at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery she curated shows such as Displaced: contemporary art from Colombia which included the artists Oscar Muñoz, José Alejandro Restrepo and Maria Elvira Escallón. Other curated exhibitions include Shimabuku’s Swansea Jack 74
Memorial Swimming Competition, Rut Blees Luxemburg exhibition Ffolly and the city wide project Lets see what happens... (2013) which included the work of 7 artists from Wales and China across 5 sites in Swansea. In 2005 Karen was appointed Curator for the Wales at the Venice Biennale and showcased a group exhibition including work by Peter Finnemore, Laura Ford, Paul Granjon and a residency with Bedwyr Williams. In 2013 Karen became the Director and Curator at Artes Mundi where she has shaped a rich programme of expanded activity outside the prize including exhibitons, community projects and socially engaged commissions working in partnership with organisations in the UK and beyond. Recent high-profile commissions include Broomberg & Chanarin’s Divine Violence with Oriel Mostyn, Llandudno and Bedwyr Williams’ Traw with 14:18 NOW.
PROFESSOR OF PRACTICE
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MUSEUM STUDIES
Museum Studies The Art Gallery and Museum Studies course offers students a unique opportunity to study this subject at undergraduate level in Wales. Developed in partnership with the gallery sector this programme fosters professional experience from the outset.
THE COURSE Art Gallery and Museum Studies
ability to communicate ideas independently and to be equipped with the requisite intellectual, professional, and technical skills required for employment in the art and cultural sector. Students will develop skills in visual observations, analysis and interpretation to consolidate a range of critical approaches in writing and art. They will develop expertise in the oral and written skills needed to communicate to the wide range of audiences. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the key tenets and concepts of curatorial practice and writing in order to situate themselves as a producer of cultural experiences and events. Students will undertake 2 week and 1 month work placements in a relevant cultural institution of the student’s choice. This professional experience will give the students opportunities to test out their theoretical ideas in a practical context and will enable them to gain a better understanding of their particular area of interest while also attaining the necessary practical skills in a working environment. Throughout the duration of the programme, students will prepare a portfolio of work that will represent their knowledge, skill, understanding and ability in preparation for employment. Employability is central to this programme of study.
prepares students for employment in the arts sector on graduation. A key feature of this course is that is has been developed in conjunction with leading regional creative agencies in Wales. The course is taught in collaboration with academics, practising artists and gallery experts. The course features a range of visiting lectures by international and regional arts organisations that include Artes Mundi, and local artist-led galleries to give students a broad experience of the arts sector. Modules provide both practical and academic skills to equip students with a broad understanding of arts organisations as institutions of culture as well as developing independent critical skills. The experience of industry mentoring and placements will provide the students with key employability skills and establish professional networks. The course is targeted at potential students who have a passion for the subject and who want to be challenged to develop their work in a number of different directions. Critical writing will feature as a distinguishing and distinct component of this course. Writing specifically for the arts will enable the students to become critical thinkers with the
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UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA 537C
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MArts 537D
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography
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Stephanie Blakemore
THROUGH tutorials and critiques, students are encouraged to produce photographic work that asks questions of their subject and just as importantly, tests the parameters of photographic practice. The course offers a broad and friendly programme that allows students to explore a wide range of techniques, materials and styles in order to determine personal strengths and eventual career directions. In addition to extensive traditional photography facilities and darkrooms, our digital provision includes Mac suites running the latest Adobe software. All our Macs are linked to professional proofing and inkjet printers, a specialist colour-managed digital darkroom with Hasselblad Flextight scanners and large format printing and a store facility that gives you access to medium and large-format film cameras, professional digital SLR, medium format Hasselblad digital cameras and location lighting equipment. We believe that it’s essential for your work to have a professional finish and to this end practical projects are supported by workshops. Having access to additional practical knowledge ensures that you can use the University’s excellent facilities with confidence, make informed choices about method and equipment, and ultimately produce work to an exeptional standard. Workshops cover processing and printing, including historical print methods, fibre-based black & white; the use of various camera formats from medium format roll-film and 5 x 4 film, to digital (including medium format); digital workflow and printing; video (shooting and editing); exhibition installation and projection; studio and location lighting.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography In the Arts This course enables you to explore and challenge the conventions of contemporary photographic art. You are encouraged to undertake an extensive, risk-taking enquiry into the possibilities of the medium, with experimentation at the core of the course’s philosophy. The course encompasses a wide-reaching understanding of all aspects of photography; its history, theory, and practice, and as such reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of photography within the contemporary arts. Much of the course is self-directed, allowing for a flexible approach to image-making in relation to both subject-matter and technique. Whilst focusing on the notion of photography as conceptual art practice, the course also emphasizes the importance of linking individual photographic development to commercial applications. The photography department has strong links with both the art and commercial media industries, which are utilised and strengthened by the regular visiting lecturer programme.
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: W643 MArts: 123L
Hannah Scoular
Photojournalism & Documentary Photography This course focuses on developing a greater understanding of the power of visual storytelling and the socio-political consequences of photography’s various forms and uses. The course explores our fascinating, evolving visual culture and our continuing desire to document everyday life - from the selfie, to the street, to the studio. Our students are encouraged to view Photojournalism & Documentary photography as a broad and exciting subject which is continually adapting to a rapidly changing media environment. Aided by a wide range of practical workshops (including moving image, studio & location lighting and darkroom printing) our students experiment with the medium of photography to develop their own unique style. We also work closely with local community groups and charities where students have the opportunity to deliver workshops and develop personal projects.
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: J316 MArts: 295G
Georgia Mingham
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Jasmine Farling
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VERÓNICA SANCHIS BENCOMO Photography Graduate
VERÓNICA Sanchis Bencomo is a photographer, writer and
curator, currently based in Hong Kong. Since graduating from the Photojournalism course in 2010, her collaboration with the cultural magazine, Ventana Latina resulted in a monthly feature, Fotografia Latina, in which she interviewed photographers that work in Latin America. In 2014 Verónica founded Foto Féminas, promoting the work of female Latin American and Caribbean photographers, internationally, in exhibitions and publications. Verónica contributes to platforms including The Photographic Museum of Humanity (United Kingdom), Yet magazine (Switzerland) and Atlas Fotografia e Imagen (Chile). She continues to work on her own projects In 2014 Verónica and recently published an artist book, Blaze, in collaboration with the poet, Cristina Gálvez. founded Foto “I did my dissertation on different photographers Féminas, working in Mexico, which led me to continue promoting the the research, first by interviewing Hispanic photographers for Ventana Latina magazine in work of female London, that then evolved into Foto Féminas as a Latin American personal project. Having this background from my and Caribbean university studies definitely had an importance in the developing of my future ideas.” photographers.
Photographer, writer and curator, currently based in Hong Kong V E R Ó N I C A S A N C H I S B E N C O M O G R A D U AT E 82
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PHOTOGRAPHY FACILITIES
OUR SPECIALIST PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
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Extensive traditional photography facilities and darkrooms, digital provision including Mac suites running the latest Adobe software linked to professional proofing and inkjet printers, a specialist colour-managed digital darkroom with Hasselblad Flextight scanners and large format printing, and a store facility that gives you access to medium and largeformat film cameras, professional digital SLR, medium format Hasselblad digital cameras and location lighting equipment.
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FILM & TV
Film and TV Our Film & TV programme is creative and practice-based, centred on key creative and theoretical principles that will serve students long after they graduate. Like Film & TV itself, the course is a blend of creative thinking and handson filmmaking, underpinned by engaging and stimulating lectures, seminars and tutorials.
THE COURSE philosophy is placed upon the applied practice of storytelling for the screen. This has resulted in our students productions winning awards for fiction and non-fiction at many festivals and awards ceremonies, including the Royal Television Society Wales Student Awards, Screentest: The National Student Film Festival, Cardiff Mini Film Festival and Ffresh. The aim of the course is to both nurture and challenge our students as they develop their creative abilities. Students also undertake regular workshops with industry standard equipment from Canon, Red, Sony, Dedo, Kino Flo, Manfrotto, Rode, Sennheiser, Litepanelsetc. We are also one of the few UK Film Schools that offer our students the opportunity to run a film festival. The Copper Coast International Film Festival is a Swansea College of Art student-run film festival that attracts interest from around the world. With four large studios operating within an hour of us, Swansea is the perfect location to study Film. This has allowed the course to develop very strong ties with the production sector in particular with Bad Wolf studios, Cardiff.
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U W T S D B A U C AS C O D E : W 6 10
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The university also employs a member of staff to liaise with studios and production companies. This helps to provide guaranteed regular placement opportunities for suitable students on feature films and TV series. Students can gain work experience in various departments of a drama production crew, on location, in the studio and in the production office Our students have worked on a variety of film and tv shows such as Sherlock (2012), Atlantis (2013), Fury (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015), The Collection (2016), The Grand Tour (2016), Bang, (2017) Will (2017), Overlord (2018) and many more. The course has a strong relationship with Wales’ newest TV station, BAY TV (Freeview Channel 8 and Virgin Media 159). Although partially funded by the BBC, BAY is an independent broadcast television company who has established a studio and broadcast facility within Swansea College of Art UWTSD. This is an amazing opportunity for our students, allowing them not only work on live studio shows, but also to research and to pitch concepts for potential TV productions.
MArts: 4S8X
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D AV E C L A R K E Graduate SINCE graduating in 2011, Dave Clarke has made a successful career as a Master Grip working on a host of film and TV shows including Paddington 2, Casualty and many others. For The past 5 years he has been working as a Grip Assistant initially and more recently as a Grip. He is now in charge of the Grips department, providing support and rigging solutions to the camera department. From such simple equipment as tripods and camera heads to more complex track and dolly combinations as well as car rigs and cranes.
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THE READING ROOM, ALEX The Reading Room is used for lectures, events and exhibitions and even the odd episode of Doctor Who and Sherlock.
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SET DESIGN
Set Design Think, for a moment, about your favourite films and TV programmes. Think about how amazing the sets are. Think about how sets give characters and ideas a home. Imagine being part of a wonderfully creative industry and doing this for a living. The Set Design degree can make that happen.
IT CAN DEVELOP and harness your creative and imaginative thinking, fuel your fascination for visualising, creating and building astounding environments and sets. It is for people who want to use their passion and creativity to design and make those environments. This is a course that transforms generalists into specialists. There are very few similar courses nationally or internationally and none of them have the same driving ambition for students and such a range of approaches. Based in Swansea, we have direct links to a range of production facilities and studios. We are the only course to employ a dedicated Film Education Placement Officer to facilitate on set work experience in the Film & TV industry. We are unique in having our own broadcast TV station - Bay TV - and use it to showcase student work and give real airtime to virtual set designs. We bring in expertise from world-class professionals at Bad Wolf Studios, Three Cliffs Production, Pinewood Wales, Dragon Studios, Bay Studios in Swansea and our multi million 92
UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA 64D8 |
pound development of S4C’s new corporate headquarters. Most importantly, these studios are crying out for our students and consistently offer jobs to graduates. We support all of this with great studio space, facilities and excellent equipment from Canon, Red, Sony, Dedo, Kino Flo, Manfrotto, Rode, Sennheiser and Litepanels. If you want to research historical periods, develop visualisations, construct breathtakingly beautiful scenes, re-create existing landmarks or transform narrative and screenplay ideas into film sets, then the Set Design course needs you. We are looking to put together a course of passionate individuals with an interest in history, design, the arts, graphics and contemporary culture; people that want to become talented set designers and work in a thriving and vibrant industry. We expect people to come from a wide range of technology, design, humanities, arts-based and apprenticeship backgrounds.
MArts 64D9
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Performing Arts
WE ENCOURAGE employment sustainability through transferable and creative skills, linking professional practice to sustained employment opportunities for our graduates. Each year your creative practice will develop by working in a variety of exciting and innovative formats and locations, challenging the boundaries of performance and opening multiple opportunities to showcase your work.
We are looking for students who are passionate about performing. Students that are inspired by experimenting with the boundaries of performance practice through interdisciplinary collaboration with creative artists, musicians and makers of all kinds.
WE OFFER an intensive, practice-based approach to study, with an innovative balance of handson training underpinned by academic study. To ensure that our courses remain relevant within an ever-changing industry, we place our students’ engagement with practitioners of national and international significance at the core of our teaching and learning.
As students you will learn by ‘doing’, by engaging with each other, with your audience and with the community through your creative work. Our commitment to stage and celebrate our students’ work at festivals and events contributes to an extremely high standard of innovative performance, and provides key opportunities for future employment.
Mark Robson
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Camiile Relet
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Applied Drama THIS COURSE is designed for those who love performance and are excited by its role in community, educational and therapeutic settings. Applied Drama teaches students to create and deliver participatory performance activities outside of traditional theatre settings using innovative and unique approaches, in collaboration with professional practitioners and companies. Often referred to as Theatre for Change, Applied Drama offers an alternative pathway to an exciting career in the Performing Arts.
UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA W401
BARBARA SARMIENTO ARAĂ‘A
Contemporary Performance THIS COURSE weaves physical and vocal performance with media and technology to create interdisciplinary, experimental performance, exploring modern ways of sharing modern stories. Our Contemporary Performance students are also highly visible, generating innovative street theatre and performance events across the city.
Graduated Contemporary Performance in 2014. After graduation, she was hired by Volcano Theatre to perform in their production of Black Stuff (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Wales Millenium Centre 2015). Since then, she has founded her own theatre company, Pain in the Arts, with fellow graduate Liam Reynolds. Their company mission is to help and inspire graduates to create and develop new work. Pain in the Arts has presented three productions, Don't Let Me Forget (Novemberfest 2016), Book of Growth (Kew Science Festival at Wakehurst) and their new youth theatre piece Grow Together (Let's Grow Wild festival, Newport Riverfront, 2017).
UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA W47W Image: Volcano Theatre Company
Georgia Mingham
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MUSIC
Music Technology Our practice-based degrees offer an opportunity for the student to develop the key skills necessary for employment in the audio media industries.
WE HAVE strong links with industry partners and
STUDENTS CAN SPECIALISE IN: Sound Design, Game Audio, Studio Engineering, Composing Mixing and Mastering, Live sound, Music Software Design Music Video Production, Programming, Performance
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practitioners, use the latest releases of industry-standard software and have extensive facilities for the creation of 3D spatial audio, studio recording, live audio, video, and interactive content for the web and mobile devices. The Music Technology course is primarily based in the historic BBC Building and includes three state-ofthe art recording studios and a large concert broadcast hall. The studios have hosted artists as varied as Dylan Thomas, Peter Sellers, Catatonia. Currently, Swansea Laptop Orchestra are in residence. Students have full access to our Mac lab, which is equipped with industry standard software, such as Pro Tools and Logic X. Intensive training is offered in a wide range of music technology related skills and activities. The suite of studios at the university are fully equipped offering a wide range of industry standard software and hardware and purpose built recording and performance spaces.
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Music Technology Music Technology aims to cultivate wide-ranging technical and aesthetic skills associated with the broad subject of music technology. The music technology department is a vibrant and key player in the cross disciplinary ethos of the Swansea College of Art.
UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: J931 M M u s Te c h : 5 P 2 Y
JAKE BOURTON Freelance Sound Artist Music (Performance & Production) The Music (Performance and Production) course has been designed to provide its graduates with the performance, technical, creative and professional skills relevant to those wishing to work in the music industries. This course is highly practical and industry focused with a multi-skilled approach to include performance, composition, analysis, recording and production. The project-based nature of the programme allows students to tailor the assignments to suit their interests within the broad subject are of music performance and production.
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“The course, along with support from the lecturing team broadened my mind musically, artistically and in technological respects. A particularly exciting aspect of the course was being given the freedom, confidence and belief in my own ability to pursue interests in film and television sound. To aid this I undertook work placements in industry, which would not have been available without the course. I would recommend this course for anyone looking to get into industries working with sound.” UWTSD BA UCAS CODE: 165F
Jake has worked on a number of productions including: Sunshade Films – Driscoll Manor, Long Coats and Crisp Packets, Feature Film, Tornado Studios – The Rebels
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3 D C O M P U T E R A N I M AT I O N
3D Computer Animation On the 3D Computer Animation degree we provide the freedom and opportunities for students to learn more on the art and craft of animation. We help students to forge work that has appeal and help to bring life to characters, to models and effects, imagery and visual narratives.
THIS COURSE is one of the most established in the UK. Since 2003 our graduates have gained key industry experience with world-leading production companies, VFX studios, games studios, commercials, tv, and many other entertainment fields. Graduates have gone on to work on the feature films INTERSTELLAR, JUNGLE BOOK, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, FANTASTIC BEASTS, HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA, THOR, SKYFALL, PROMETHEUS, CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, MAN OF STEEL, IRON MAN 2, KUBO AND THE TWO STRINGS, BOXTROLLS, WORLD WAR Z, and many, more. ator all our team encourage the use of solid design techniques, to incorporate classical animation and production stages wherever possible. We know the value of understanding anatomical structure in figure work; we dedicate time on using character animation styles and principles; we help in the design and development of imaginative sets and story scenarios. All within concept work and pre-production before seeing them take shape in 3D. Staff have strong academic experience teaching these subjects, with extensive animation series, film and games title credits. TIn turn, our 3D Computer Animation students gain invaluable industrial insight and animation support that enables them to pursue the right path in the creative industries and latest exciting frontiers in modern digital animation.
Raj Joshi
Emelie Jensen
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ASSASSIN image by Cedrick Valdeviezo, BA (Hons) 3DCA, 2017 (now working @ DIGITAL SHOGUNS).
UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA WGP4
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MArts D7X4
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3 D C O M P U T E R A N I M AT I O N
ANTHONY BLOOR Head of 3D, Advertising MPC, London
HELEN DUCKWORTH CG Modeller & Texure Artist
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ANTHONY WAS one of the first students to complete the BA 3D Animation degree in 2003. He started work at MPC in 2005, working as a Lighter and Generalist on the BAFTA winning ‘Hogfather’, (Best VFX). His 3rd year film at Swansea – PLATFORM ZERO – helped to catapult him into the industry where he continues to develop cutting edge 3D artist and animation work, first gleaned here at Swansea. Since becoming co-Head of the 3D department in 2013, Anthony has worked with numerous agencies and clients, overseeing a huge range of award-winning creative 3D work, personally supervising the design, build and animation of well-known sequences that include animated snakes (cocktails), fire breathing monsters (ice gum) and Barry, the talking platypus (insurance ad).
HELEN DEVELOPED a close relationship with AARDMAN (Bristol) in her final year, she subsequently went on to work for them in their CG department with the digital modelling on commercials and the film PIRATES. She works principally on the models and character designs but has also contributed to texturing and the lighting and look development on many award-winning films. The experience with AARDMAN led to more 3D projects on the film BOXTROLLS and KUBO & THE TWO STRINGS, with LAIKA, and then to become a Senior Modeller with SONY PICTURES IMAGEWORKS and her work on the characters, sets, props on the HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA films, THE SMURFS and STORKS.
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Motion Capture Studio 106
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C R E AT I V E C O M P U T E R G A M E S D E S I G N
Creative Computer Games Design Richard Morgan
The Creative Computer Games Design course equips students with the essential skills and practices used within the Games Industry along with the ability to academically analyse and evaluate your own game ideas and designs.
Richard Morgan
Gemma Suen
OUR MODULES of study all feed into a single game idea over the first two years of the course, allowing students to work within a production group to develop work using a simulated development cycle. The first year of the course sees students working within their teams to produce all concepts, characters, assets and game documentation. In the second year each student implements all work from the first year into a game engine environment and eventually into the creation of a working game demo. The third year develops these ideas further with the students producing a game demo/proof of a concept, based on their own specifications, as part of their final major project. The final year of the MArts is designed to offer the opportunity to gain both a Masters Degree and to negotiate the transition into industry. 108
Richard Morgan
UWTSD UCAS CODE: BA W283
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The Programme is a member Sony’s PlayStation® Academic Programme, this exciting partnership provides access to the PlayStation development tools and the same professional hardware used by game studios around the world to create ground-breaking games on PlayStation. Our graduates have gone on to work with prominent and successful companies such as ROCKSTAR NORTH, ELECTRONIC ARTS, CRITERION, CREATIVE ASSEMBLY and TRAVELLER’S TALES being involved with the development of BURNOUT DOMINATOR, the HARRY POTTER series, GRAND THEFT AUTO V, HALO WARS 2, LITTLE BIG PLANET, ALIEN ISOLATION and the LEGO STAR WARS series.
MArts 8B2K
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DAN BREWER Senior Designer Creative Assembly
D AV I D A L D E N Technical Concept Artist at Rockstar North
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I STARTED MY career as a Designer at Supermassive Games. During my university course, I was very interested in augmented reality, with my dissertation questioning whether it could be the future of gaming. Supermassive Games were starting work on an Augmented Reality party game as a launch title for the Playstation Move controller (Start the Party) on PS3 and were after a designer to work on it. Very luckily my enthusiasm for augmented reality technology set me apart from the other candidates and I was offered a job a few weeks later. During my 6 years at Supermassive, I was lucky enough to work on almost every project they shipped including: Little Big Planet DLC, Concept pitching, internal narrative drama prototypes, Doctor Who: The Eternity Clock, Wonderbook: Walking with Dinosaurs, Airship Aces, Spy Ops and the BAFTA award winning, Until Dawn. After this I joined Creative Assembly as a senior designer to work on Halo Wars 2, during the two years that we worked on Halo Wars 2, I took a key role in delivering the core gameplay and multiplayer experience. To this day, I’m enjoying my time at Creative Assembly, everyday using key skills that I picked up during my time at Swansea College of Art.
I CURRENTLY WORK as a Technical Content Artist in Rockstar North where I have been working for over 5 years having come straight from my time in the Swansea College of Art. In that time I have moved from QA to Art Support due to my university taught understanding of games art language and again to my current title with my practical skills. My role has me working on game map art every day, from the conception, design, implementation and technical set up, with a great team of like-minded, passionate artists and support hands. I wouldn't be where I am now without my time in the Creative Computer Game Design course, which gave me the skills and language to communicate my ideas and methods within the industry, for giving me an amazing knowledge base to build upon, and for the confidence to put my work and myself into the Games industry to continue my career as a Games Artist.
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SWANSEA COLLEGE OF ART was recently selected to join Sony’s PlayStation®First, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Global Academic Programme. This exciting partnership gives our Creative Computer Games Design students access to PlayStation development tools; the same professional hardware used by game studios around the world to create ground-breaking games on PlayStation. “Through PlayStation First we’re giving students the chance to cut their teeth on console development early in their career. We want them to have the skills our industry needs. And we want to inspire this next generation of developers to create new games and experiences.” Luke Savage, Sony’s Senior Academic Development Manager
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PlayStation First recognises the world’s leading game development courses to help foster the new wave of game developers. The programme is unique as it provides access to the full PlayStation software and development hardware for teaching purposes in computer engineering, programming and software development and game design. “The collaborative nature of all the work our students create gives them a better understanding of what it’s like to work productively and apply their core strengths to any industry project. This philosophy is advanced by our inclusion into Sony’s PlayStation®First programme which helps to further bridge the gap between academia and industry. John Carroll, Programme Director: Creative Computer Games Design
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F O U N D AT I O N
Art & Design
Foundation The Cert HE Art and Design Foundation course provides the basis for the study of art and design. This makes it the preferred route into specialised study within higher education. The programme is predominantly visual and practical, with elements of written work, and develops students’ understanding of concept, contexts and making.
THE COURSE is an introduction to study within art and design, a foundation or basis for students entering ‘art school’ and encountering, for the first time, studio based teaching and learning, characterised as enquiry and learning through drawing, making and process, writing, research, presentation and discussion. The course enables student progression through production of a portfolio of practical and visual work, examples of written work and a final exhibition. Students are introduced to specialist study areas that might lead on to further study in areas including Fine Art, Painting and Drawing, Illustration, Graphic Design, Advertising and Brand Design, Games Design, Digital Arts, Animation, Film and Video, Photography, Automotive, Furniture, Interior, Product,
Production and Theatre Design, Architecture, Jewellery Design, Fashion, Textiles, Surface Pattern, Craft, Architecture, Glass, Music technology and many more. The course is taught entirely at Level 4. This represents a clear progression from A Level whilst still permitting students the time to consider BA specialist options in the context of a full art school experience. We maintain the ethos and magic of Foundation, allowing students to build a bedrock of experience and skill whilst discovering new areas they might not have had chance to explore previously. This, we believe is essential to success at degree level and vital in terms of making the right decision for a future career in the creative industries. Charlotte Case
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UWTSD UCAS CODE: F4W8
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F O U N D AT I O N
Foundation students have access to workshop facilities across the Faculty including photography, print, lasercutting, 3D workshops (wood/metal/plastic), glass, computer suites (Mac and PC), ceramics and life drawing studios
Roberto Pierri
Alex Haredence
Jennifer Graham
Ben Dawson
Jane Harrison
THE COURSE is based in a beautiful studio in the recently renovated ALEX Design Exchange which is where the course originated over 100 years ago. We also work across the Dynevor Campus and offer our students full access to purpose built workshops, facilities and resources in the art school, working alongside our degree students. The art school boasts some of the best facilities in the area with both traditional and state of the art equipment available for all Foundation students to take advantage of. We also support further applications via UCAS, onto courses in our own Faculty and elsewhere, students’ progress on to a variety of degree courses in universities throughout the country. Many ex-Foundation students, now graduates, are practicing artists, fashion, product and graphic designers, teachers and lecturers. Some are curating and working as arts administrators and educators in museums and galleries. Some have become designers in the industry or are working as architects. We recently celebrated our 100-year birthday with an alumni show at Mission Gallery which highlighted the broad range of exciting careers our students have had following the course. Many of our alumni attributed Foundation as being one of the most valuable and key years in their arts education guiding them on the right pathway to their specialist subject areas. Jennifer Graham
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UWTSD UCAS CODE: F4W8
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Postgraduate Study Our MA Contemporary Dialogues Portfolio creates a unique learning platform from which students are encouraged to broaden their creative experience through experimentation, collaboration and interdisciplinary discourse.
As part of the interdisciplinary platform students are encouraged to broaden process, exploring a wide range of approach and material together with the development of theoretical understanding. Students are encouraged to evaluate and re-question their practice and to experiment and challenge the breadth and boundaries of their potential and ideas.
MA PHOTOGRAPHY considers all forms of practice but is particularly interested in the formulation of new individual practices across trans-disciplinary lines. The course ranges from documentary modes to conceptual modalities such as ‘performativity’, situation-specific work, photographic ‘encounters’ and various participatory practices driven by philosophical and critical studies to explore and experiment with the concept of futurity and ‘future photographies’.
Paul Green
MA FINE ART celebrates an open, ideas based discipline
MA VISUAL COMMUNICATION encourages the students to
which establishes a unique learning environment where concept and process are equally supported through expansive academic and workshop practice. Students thus have the opportunity to work within and across a wide range of mediums which include, painting, video, performance, 3D practice, installation and print.
explore and develop new approaches and understandings to user centred visual design problems. With an emphasis on expansive creative thinking and problem solving the students develop a portfolio of practice led research that forms an extensive major body which may span a diverse range of outputs across the fields of illustration, graphic, advertising and brand design.
Tom Morris
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MA SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN offers a design-focused experience that focuses on an ethos of creativity, innovation, vision, design and making skills together with advanced contextual understanding and employability. Students can experiment across a range of disciplines including design for interiors, fashion objects and jewellery/metalwork.
Rachel Rosser
MA TEXTILES focuses on textiles as a medium for communicative and semiotic exploration capable of forming dialogues with other disciplines. As the medium is fundamental to human experience there is an emphasis on material culture cross-referenced with studies in phenomenology and critical studies. Students explore the diverse contexts of materiality as they pertain to language, metaphor and cultural use values.
Carly Wilshere-Butler
MA GLASS is concerned with the study of glass in an environment and its effects and relationship with light and space. Glass as a material offers a unique place in design and architecture and the course offers the opportunity to explore this material, with particular reference to its applications in architecture. Glass in its many forms; mosaic, glaze, enamel and window façade covers a broad association of surfaces, which offers the maker a rich and varied pallet.
Eddie Jones
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MA PRODUCT DESIGN students embrace, reflect and address environmental, economic and social-cultural challenges through creative dialogue. The course challenges conventions through cross-collaborative experimentation and lateral thinking to harness both design ambiguity and innovative thinking in reflecting society’s desires and future product needs. It encourages a professional stance whilst incorporating new paradigms for the design of innovative and sustainable products, systems and services.
MSC INDUSTRIAL DESIGN utilises advanced digital technologies to validate a design direction, that considers both the intellectual and technical dialogues of realising a focused design outcome. Students challenge conventions of creativity and technical augmentation in the service of innovation. This provides a platform of collaborative experimentation and design thinking that reflects the environmental, economic and technological challenges present in today’s consumer society.
Matt Bellis
MA TRANSPORTATION DESIGN proposes that innovative future focused design is central to enabling a response to our rapidly changing transportation needs. The course offers a unique approach that combines interdisciplinary and collaborative opportunities to build on design specific understandings of excellence in vehicle design. It encourages students to develop a broad philosophical understanding in order to facilitate an insight into human interaction and materiality.
MA 3D COMPUTER ANIMATION is designed to help students to gain experience of contemporary industry-standard media production software and develop critical awareness of computer-generated imagery. The pre-production element of the programme, provides the opportunity to develop preproduction material that clearly communicates to specialist and non-specialist audiences, one of a number of skills that is valued by employers. This programme is not part of the Contemporary Dialogue portfolio.
Robert Crick
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Research Degrees Swansea College of Art has an exciting research culture supported by an extensive list of academics that hold doctorates and associated expertise. These academics are engaged in innovative research projects that investigate collaborative art practices, contemporary craft, glass, health and well-being, creative pedagogy, event and situation, creative art writing, environmental studies and continental philosophy.
We offer a number of research degree options, including the Masters by Research (MRes), a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). All students contribute to the vibrant postgraduate research forum of experimentation, philosophical enquiry and practice based exploration. Supervision is offered for research through practice and/or via a written thesis, in a broad range of subjects.
MRES – ART AND DESIGN
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY
The MRes offers research students the opportunity to develop methodologies for the integration of theory and practice. Its aimed at students wishing to engage in a period of philosophical inquiry, with the opportunity to include an element of creative practice, and offers a dynamic alternative to MA or MPhil study. The MRes is delivered through a combination of structured learning, comprising lectures and seminars that facilitate critical thinking and a period of independent research.
The MPhil affords students the opportunity for professional enhancement through the investigation of a topic relevant to their interests and the staff areas of expertise. An MPhil through practice based research or writing considers and comments on existing knowledge by demonstrating an in depth understanding of the topic examined and a degree of originality. MPhil work will often lead to publication and may lead to a career in academia.
M R E S - C R E AT I V E L E A R N I N G
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Starting in 2018 we are excited to offer a new MRes course codelivered between the Faculties of Art & Design and Education. The course has been developed in response to changes in the provision in school education which places an emphasis on creativity and is aimed at those in the education sector. Creativity is increasingly a key factor to enable innovation, problem solving and open thinking applicable to a wide range of disciplines and contexts. Other professionals both in the public and private sector may also benefit from this course.
The PhD research degree encourages students to investigate a research topic under the supervision of a team of qualified academic staff. To gain a PhD the student must produce an original contribution to knowledge in that field, that is then validated through expert opinion. At Swansea College of Art we have a wide research expertise across the disciplines of Art & Design as well as welcoming trans-disciplinary proposals.
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Hannah Downing
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Celf a Dylunio Mae Coleg Celf Abertawe Y Drindod Dewi Sant yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd Cymru a’i chymeriad arbennig trwy ddathlu asedau a threftadaeth ieithyddol a diwylliannol Cymru. Ein nod yw mewnosod diwylliant a threftadaeth Cymru yn ein haddysgu a dysgu, gan greu’r cyfle i fyfyrwyr ryngweithio’n ddwyieithog o fewn cyd-destun lleol a byd-eang. Cynhelir yr addysgu dwyieithog yn ein stiwdios a gweithdai pwrpasol mewn amgylchedd sy’n canolbwyntio ar ein myfyrwyr. Swansea College of Art UWTSD recognises the importance of Wales and its distinctiveness through celebrating the linguistic and cultural assets and heritage of Wales. We aim to embed the culture and heritage of Wales within our teaching and learning, creating the opportunity for students to interact bilingually within a local and Global context. Bilingual teaching takes place in the learner-focused environment of our dedicated studios and workshops.
T O M O S S PA R N O N F I N E A R T STUDENT SCA WON ART S C H O L A R S H I P AT T H E U R D D N AT I O N A L E I S T E D D F O D 2 01 7
“WINNING THE ART SCHOLARSHIP is a great privilege. Winning the Art Medal in Caerphilly two years ago was an excellent experience, and it was only natural to try for the scholarship. My work has changed and developed since then and knowing that adjudicators and others still like my work, gives me confirmation and motivation to continue experimenting. The Eisteddfod is close to my heart and to exhibit in it, and through the medium
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of Welsh, is extremely important to me. I’d like to thank my lecturers at Swansea College of Art for inspiring me daily, and for their support at all times. I’m convinced my work would not be what it is without their contribution”. Tomos is one of our students who is undertaking his degree through the medium of Welsh, supported by a scholarship from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, It is particularly pleasing as he has chosen to study through the medium of Welsh showing his dedication to art and to the Welsh language in his studies. The Exhibition at the Urdd Eisteddfod has hundreds of entries from a range of age groups that displays creativity and imagination which is great to see.
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Exhibitions STUDENTS HAVE the opportunity to exhibit throughout their courses. Final year students take part in the Swansea College of Art Summer Shows an event that takes place throughout Swansea. Some course also take students to London to exhibit in galleries and also at prestigious graduate design fairs such as D&AD New Blood and New Designers giving them the opportunity to showcase their work to industry professionals.
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SAND
Swansea Animation Festival
Film festival
WE ARE ONE of the few UK Film Schools that offer our students the opportunity to run a film festival. The festival attracts interest from around the world, giving an insight into the wider film market and an understanding of what it takes to make an award-winning film. The 2017 festival received over 2000 global entries.
OUR TWO-DAY animation industry event offers students the opportunity to participate in talks and workshops from industry professionals from all over the world. Guest speakers often include graduates working in the industry. These have recently included graduates who work for VFX studio The Mill, Double Negative and MPC. For example, Ryan Morgan who worked as Modelling and Texturing Technical Director on recent blockbusters Guardians of the Galaxy, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, and The Jungle Book. Industry giants also attended such as EA Games, Blizzard, MPC, the Mill and Framestore. Students were also given the opportunity to have their work critiqued by industry professionals. 128
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Creative Industries Networks Swansea College of Art UWTSD is proud to be a sponsor of the BAFTA Cymru awards, as part of this relationship we also host an annual audience with stars from the industry, most recently this has been Eddie Izzard.
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BAFTA CYMRU / INTO FILM CYMRU
BAD WOLF
B AY T V
WE HAVE a member of staff working as the
BAY TV is an independent broadcast television
placement coordinator based at Bad Wolf Studios in Cardiff, who liaises with the studios and production companies. This helps to provide regular placement opportunities for suitable students on feature films and TV series. Students can gain work experience in various departments of a drama production crew, on location, in the studio and in the production office. This experience often gives students their first network of contacts and can lead to them securing their first work in the film and TV industries. Our students have worked on a variety of film and TV shows such as Sherlock (2012), Atlantis (2013), Fury (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015), The Collection (2016), The Grand Tour (2016), Bang, (2017) Will (2017), Overlord (2018) and many more.
company who has established a studio and broadcast facility within Swansea College of Art. This provides an amazing opportunity for our students, allowing them to not only work on live studio shows, but also research and pitch concepts for potential TV productions. It also provides that first stepping stone to a career in TV.
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Design Week & Graduate Symposium
‘DESIGN WEEK’ and graduate symposiums offer students the opportunity to engage with prestigious designers and companies. Talks are often given by our graduates working within the industry, recently these have included graduates who now work for Lego, Sky Creative, Monsoon, Tigerprint and Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness. 132
Ittihkorn Duangchat
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FAQ
Study skills Study skills support is available to all students who need assistance with their studies, providing high quality information, advice, guidance, practical and emotional support to enable all students to reach their full potential. A drop-in Study skills service is available every day of the working week.
We love to chat to potential students and often hear many of the same questions – here are a few of the regular ones;
What is the ratio of applicants to acceptances? Approximately 800 students apply each year for just over 300 undergraduate places. What sort of careers do graduates go on to do? Our courses offer a route into many careers for graduates see course pages for more details. Will I work with external clients? All our course are externally facing and include live client briefs and/or exhibition opportunities, students are also actively encouraged to enter competitions. What skills and qualifications do I need to apply? Typically, we ask for 80-120 UCAS points but this can be balanced out by an amazing portfolio/interview or other work/life experience. If you’re not sure you have the qualifications to get onto one of our courses please contact us to discuss your options. What do you expect from applicants? From you we expect energy, curiosity and commitment and the beginnings of a passion for your medium. Can I study abroad? During your time with us you will have the opportunity to study abroad with the Erasmus exchange programmes. Students can also take up the opportunity to study a semester in the USA and Canada with Study Abroad. Many programmes arrange overseas visits such as to Venice Biennale and the Bologna Book Fair.
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How much contact time will I get with tutors and what about class sizes be? We pride ourselves on the amount of contact time and support we give our students. Class sizes always reflect this so you will always get the attention you need. How much access to the facilities will I get? Students have access to the workshops, staff and studio spaces every day during the week in term time and often on Saturdays. Will I get my own studio space? Lots of our courses have studio spaces, these are allocated to students for the year allowing you to make the space your creative home. Courses without studio spaces have extra space to use as critique rooms or large computer studios as the course requires. What is student life like in Swansea? There’s lots going on, nominated for City of Culture 2021, students have an array or theatres, galleries, music venues and excellent nightlife options available to them. There are also beautiful beaches and amazing sporting opportunities including surfing, paddle boarding as well as numerous cycle paths and green spaces to explore. Can I come to look around? There are set open days throughout the year. The dates will be on our website if you can’t make one of the dates available we’ll try our best to make arrangements for you to visit on a day that is suitable.
Are there any scholarships or bursaries available? Yes, these include Partnership College Bursary (Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion) Are your courses taught in Welsh? Students are able to choose to study some modules through the medium of Welsh. Scholarships from the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol are also available. How will I know this is the right course for me? Our tutors are always happy to have further conversations to ensure you've made the right choice. Applicants are always interviewed, this is a great opportunity for us to see if you’re right for the course and for you to see if it is right for you. I can’t see the course I’m looking for? If you can’t see the course you interested in we may still be able to help. All our courses are broad based and flexible. You will be given plenty of opportunity to specialise in the media or subject that most suits your career plans. Any other questions please email us at artanddedsign@uwtsd.ac.uk or call us 01792 481285
Accommodation Accommodation in Swansea is amongst the cheapest in the country, there are a number of options available within a few minutes’ walk of the University. All are centrally located and within easy access to transport links and the city center. Please see our website for further details.
How to Apply Full time undergraduate applications are made through UCAS. Swansea College of Art comes under the University of Wales Trinity Saint David code T80 Undergraduate programmes offered include Cert HE Foundation 1 Year, BA/BSc these are 3 years’ full time or 6-year part time. MArts/ MDes/MMus Tech these are 4-year full time or 8-year part time, these courses allow students to study for an extra year with the benefits of undergraduate funding allowing you extra time to focus on an industry focused project. MA/MSc These are between 1-2 years’ duration and are usually undertaken once you have an undergraduate degree. Mphil/PHD Research Degrees usually undertaken once you have a postgraduate qualification. Postgraduate and Part-Time applications should be made direct to the University. 135
Interviews
APPLICANTS are always interviewed, when they should present evidence relating to their selected course. If you are selected for an interview it is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment and self - motivation to your chosen area of study; to discuss aspects of the course and to ask any questions that you may have. We normally start interviewing from December the year before entry. All our interviews are relaxed and informal and you will also be offered a tour of the Faculty and facilities. If you have any concerns, need more details or have any additional support needs please contact us before your visit.
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The Art & Design interview For most course interviews, you will be required to submit a portfolio of work as part of your interview. As a general guide, portfolios should contain examples of work (both finished and work in progress) that showcase your particular skills and interests. The content of a portfolio should be presented in a logical, ordered and simple fashion. We also love to see sketchbooks.
The Performing Arts interview All applicants will be invited to a practical workshop in lieu of an interview. Here you will work with tutors and fellow applicants to explore creative responses to contemporary stimuli, participate in collaborative practice and experiment with your ideas in a supportive and relaxed practical session.
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Our Undergraduate Courses COURSE TITLE Surface Pattern Design (Maker)
BA W790
MDes T5F3
Surface Pattern Design (Textiles for Fashion)
BA W234
MDes 8V7C
Surface Pattern Design (Textiles for Interiors)
BA W235
MDes 5RC2
Surface Pattern Design (Fashion Object)
BA W230
MDes Y28U
Glass: Architectural Arts
BA W770
MDes 5H3M
Automotive Design
BA W240
MDes 7F3T
Transport Design
BA 9R37
MDes 04G6
Product Design
BA W242
MDes 0P2M
Product Design & Technology
BSc W284
MDes W200
Advertising and Brand Design
BA W221
MDes S2J5
Graphic Design
BA W210
MDes 52J6
Illustration
BA W220
MDes H21Y
Fine Art -Studio Site & Context
BA 2T12
MArt M5A7
Art Gallery and Museum Studies
BA 537C
MArt 537D
Photography in the Arts
BA W643
MArt 123L
Photojournalism & Documentary Photography
BA J316
MArts 295G
Film & Television
BA W610
MArts 4S8X
Set Design
BA 64D8
MArts 64D9
Applied Drama
BA W401
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Contemporary Performance
BA W47W
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Music Technology
BA J931
MMus Tech 5P2Y
Music (Performance & Production)
BA 165F
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3D Computer Animation
BA WGP4
MArts D7X4
Creative Computer Games Design
BA W283
MArts 8B2K
Cert HE Art & Design Foundation
Cert HE F4W8
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For our postgraduate courses please see pages 118-122
Disclaimer University of Wales Trinity Saint David makes every effort to ensure that the contents and statements made in this publication are fair and accurate, and the University will use reasonable endeavours to deliver programmes and other services in accordance with the descriptions provided. The University, however, reserves the right to make variations to programme contents, entry requirements and methods of delivery, and to discontinue, merge or combine programmes, both before and after a student’s admission to the University, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. We will endeavour at all times to keep any changes to a minimum and to keep prospective students informed appropriately.
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