Ceramics
This course initially introduces students to various techniques of forming with clay, such as throwing on potter's wheel, hand building, moulding and casting processes. Stress is laid on developing skills, understanding three dimensional form and various surface treatment methods along with concept development and innovative use of the material. Students are introduced to diverse approaches in ceramic making, both sculptural and functional. Studio projects include preparatory research with its base in museums and libraries. As part of their projects they learn to research, draw, photograph, evaluate ideas and occasionally deal with clients. This process culminates in presentations of finished work where students learn to verbally and clearly express their ideas.
In senior years students handle the concepts, materials, techniques and firing processes more independently. They are expected and encouraged to work selectively in their chosen direction, especially, for their mini thesis and thesis projects.
Material Science
This course enables the students to acquire a clear understanding of ceramic raw materials. It includes study of clays, glazes, frits, slips and engobes, through theory as well as analyses, tests and experiments undertaken by the students. Students are constantly testing new clay bodies and glazes with emphasis on locally available raw materials and clays. They are introduced to various types of kilns, fuels, firing processes and equipment used in ceramics. Study of safety measures, precautions and health hazards associated with ceramic materials forms an integral part of the course.
Seminar
Various activities are covered in this class, i.e. lectures and slideshows by visiting artists and designers, visits to museums, galleries, factories, traditional pottery production centres and raw materials and equipment markets in the city. Students are encouraged to read and write essays on history of pottery from ancient times to present, movements in ceramics, contemporary ceramic design and studio ceramics.
Assessments for the above courses are based on the practical work completed in the studio, written tests, reports and research.
Sculpture
The course helps the students understand space and form better and encourages them to use materials other than clay. It enhances their understanding of various materials and processes and possibilities of using mixed media in their works.
Two Dimensional Studies
Two-dimensional studies not only offer diverse mediums to work with but also help the students with their three dimensional work, it is a means to observe, record and document and a way to understand and explore three dimensions. The following two-dimensional studies are offered to the ceramic students.
Drawing
Drawing is the basis and an essential tool for all disciplines of Art and Design, it provides basic language and skills from which two-dimensional work stems and is one of the most powerful ways of developing and exploring ideas.
Printmaking
The course is structured to develop a basic understanding of the printmaking techniques such as collagraph, intaglio and silkscreen processes as well as the ability to work with specialized equipment in the studio.
Students are encouraged to understand ways to build their personalized images through a different medium. Totally diverse to their major field, they work with their peers from the Fine Art department with a very different perspective thus encouraging interaction and broadening of their vision.
Portfolio development starting from initial drawings, leading up to conceptual sketches and then further developing into prints is a vital part of this block.
Photography
Students are familiarized with the use of digital as well as 35 mm manual cameras and colour film as their means to a creative, communicative visual language. The course covers the study of the camera, film, lens, light exposure and composition, as well as the history and aesthetics of photography. It enables students to document their work in a professional manner and helps them with visual documentation for reports, dissertations and portfolios.
These two-dimensional studies not only assist students with their major work but also broaden their knowledge. The department aims at offering a minor in one of these art forms to students in future.
Computer Aided Design
Photoshop, freehand and auto-cad programmes are taught through this course. CAD is a useful tool in making technical drawings specifically when working for the industry or designing for production.
