Print Contemporary Practice - BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The Print Contemporary Practice (PCP) course at TUS fosters experiential learning through specialized workshops, lectures, and tutorials in printmaking. Students acquire a comprehensive foundation in various techniques, culminating in advanced self-directed projects. The program equips graduates with skills for diverse careers, including printmaking studio directors, interdisciplinary artists, and researchers, and provides pathways for further study at postgraduate levels.

Program Outline

Print Contemporary Practice – BA (Hons) - TUS

Degree Overview:

The Print Contemporary Practice (PCP) course is a fine art specialization designed with the student's needs at its core. It offers a professional working space for students to develop a complex range of skills in printmaking, a multi-faceted and ever-expanding discipline. The program aims to study printmaking and its related components at the forefront of research in this area. It provides comprehensive workshops, lectures, and tutorials to encourage experiential learning and critical thinking through active engagement in the processes.

Outline:

The program is a 3-year full-time undergraduate course. It is structured as follows:

Year 1:

• Students acquire a basic understanding of printmaking techniques.
• The focus is on building a foundation in printmaking methods.

Year 2:

• Students build upon the skills acquired in Year 1, expanding their knowledge of techniques.
• Project briefs are adapted to support the implementation of printmaking methods.
• Printmaking processes covered include etching, woodcutting, smart plate and stone lithography, silkscreen, and collography.
• Additional areas covered include digital media and photography, drawing, research, professional practice, and workshop health and safety.
• Weekly seminars and talks on the practice of print on a national and international platform are delivered to support workshop methodologies.
• Students collaborate with other program areas and institutions on print-specific projects.

Year 3:

• Students implement printmaking skills with a self-directed project.
• They use a wide range of skills acquired in Year 2 to develop a response to themes and pathways that have arisen through numerous projects.
• Year 3 delivers intermediate to advanced skills in printmaking, including photo etching, color separation, experimental silkscreen processes, printmaking on ceramic surfaces, plate lithography, and carborundum.
• Students receive an introduction to FabLab, which houses laser and 3D print technology.
• Additional areas delivered in Year 3 to enhance development and specialization of printmaking skills include photography (medium & large format), digital techniques, professional practice, European Erasmus exchange (optional), and field trips (nationally and internationally).
• Strong focus on concept development in Year 3.

Year 4:

• Students specialize in techniques acquired from Year 2 and 3, developing advanced printmaking skills.
• Focus on self-directed project.
• Visiting lecturers deliver advanced and professional workshops and seminars.
• Concept development, presentation methods, engaging with an audience, degree show production and display are also delivered.
• Photography and digital media are offered as optional.

Teaching:

• All lecturers and tutors are working artists and printmakers who guide students through experiential learning techniques and context.
• Technical officers ensure students are equipped with the materials they need to develop their creative voice.

Careers:

Graduates of this course have worked in the following areas:

• Independent Printmakers
• Printmaking Studio Directors
• Printmaking Technicians
• Interdisciplinary Artists
• Art Educationalists
• Teachers
• Researchers
• Curators
• Graphic Artists

Further Study:

Successful graduates of this program are eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programs within TUS or elsewhere.

Other:

• The PCP workshop is housed on the ground level of the LSAD campus and has large spacious facilities dedicated to a wide range of printmaking processes.
• The program emphasizes innovation and provides a bright and spacious printmaking workshop where students can explore their creativity.