More Art School Research

I am currently considering applying to Duncan of Jordanstone college of art and design for their foundation course. I still don’t know what I want to specialise in, but I’m leaning towards design over fine art, possibly graphic design, illustration, or environmental design. I think the foundation course is a really good option for me because it would allow me another year to figure out which specialist area would suit me best, and to experiment with other courses. I think I would do well with the self motivated study format there, especially after doing this course for a year. Aside from that, Dundee is a really nice place and somewhere I think I would enjoy spending four years at uni.

Central St Martins also offers a foundation course. This course gives the opportunity to explore four different subject areas (fashion and textiles, fine art, graphic communication design, and three dimensional design and architecture), or specialise in one of these right off the bat. The focus is on personal development, and experimenting with different projects, techniques, and specialisms. Additionally, if you pass that course, you are guaranteed entry onto a course at central st martins, or another UAL school. While in theory the course is similar to the one at DJCaD- based on the descriptions online, the CSM foundation appears to have more freedom, and a wider scope of different areas of study. The DJCaD course is more structured, which has its pros and cons. The work presented online from the CSM foundation is much more diverse in its subject matter and the materials and techniques used. In the showcase there is fashion design and game design featured as well as illustration and fine art. The DJCaD work showcased is all very good, but as a whole, less ambitious.

I am also considering applying to other art schools in Scotland including Glasgow School of Art, Edinburgh College of Art and Grays School of Art in Aberdeen. none of these schools offer foundation courses, which means I would have to apply to a specific course. Obviously, there is still a number of months left to decide exactly which course is right for me, and by the point that time rolls around I will probably be more sure of what direction of study I would like to take. Currently I would probably be looking at applying to GSA and Gray’s for Communication Design. Both of these courses incorporate graphics, illustration, and photography into one subject which provides the opportunity to work in a less confined way. At ECA I would currently consider applying to Graphic Design or Illustration, but obviously I am open to exploring any of the courses available.

Currently DJCaD is probably my first choice, but CSM also looks very interesting. I don’t think Aberdeen or Edinburgh are on the table so much.

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