Course Description
This is a practical two-year course with a focus on students learning to design and produce craft pieces from a wide range of materials including textiles, wood, slate and glass. The course content includes painting , sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, fused glass, stained glass, textiles and woodcraft, with the recent introduction of jewellery-making, enameling, copper work and silver-smithing. The focus is on teaching crafts skills that can be carried out and developed in a small craft workshop. In the second year, students learn how to organize craft exhibitions as part of their work experience and attend workshops with a the Waterford City Enterprise Board. Learners will acquire the knowledge and skills to prepare Art & Design portfolios required for progression to further education.
Certification
- QQI National Vocational Certificate level 5 Art, Craft & Design (5M1984)
- QQI National Vocational Certificate Level 5 Art & Design Portfolio (5M1984)
Subjects
- Stained Glass/ Decorative Glass Design
- Drawing
- Design Skills
- Ceramics
- Material & Finishes
- Art Metalcraft
- Wood Finishing
- Combined Materials
- Printmaking
- Appreciation of Art Craft & Design
- Communications
- Work Experience
- Introduction to Computers
*Options are contingent on enrolments.
Progression:
Graduates have progressed to Diploma/Degree courses in the Institutes of Technology through the Higher Education Links Scheme for holders of QQI Level 5 Certification. Further details are available from the relevant institutions.
Career Prospects
This is an ideal course for graduates who wish to learn a variety of craft skills with a view to setting up a small craft business. It would also suit graduates who wish to work in retail or in retail related businesses. Graduates also have the option of applying for QQI level 6 in Further or Higher Education degree, WIT, Crawford College of Art & Design or Grennan Mills, programmes in Art, Craft and Design.
