University of Art London - Central Saint Martins

CENTRAL SAINT MARTINS

1 Granary Square, London England

Before this school grew to become Central Saint Martins, University of Art London, it had a small start and a big finish.  It began as St. Martins School of Art.  That was founded in 1854 and focused on fine art and fashion.  The Central School of Arts and Crafts was founded in 1896 and it focused on a wide range of design disciplines including theater, industrial and graphic design.  They merged in 1989.

In 1999 The Drama Center London joined Central Saint Martins, or CSM, and in 2002 the Byam Shaw School of Art - founded in 1910 as a drawing and painting school - joined CSM.  In 2004 the school joined the University of Art London.

In 2012 Central Saint Martins moved to a large building in the Kings Cross area.  They are very proud of this building and it's large open concept.  CSM feels it allows the exchange of ideas and techniques across it's many disciplines, acting as a huge workshop of thinking and making.

Because of this melting pot of art schools there is a large range of study options for a bachelor of arts degree.  Architecture, ceramics, culture criticism & curating (gallery, museum, and media careers) theater and directing, fine art, graphic art, jewelry and product design, textile design and FASHION DESIGN!

Central Saint Martin's fashion department is to be "a nurturing environment that champions originality and innovation" also with a competitive atmosphere.  For a BA in Fashion Design a student needs to pick one pathway: knitwear, menswear, womenswear, fashion print (I am guessing fabric design), communications for students who are passionate about fashion but don't want to design.  Hmnmm, Mimi wants to do both men's and women's designing.

The application is to the University of Art London and they require England's common app, an essay, high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores and the portfolio review.  I thought the answer for "how many pieces should I have in my portfolio?" was cute; "if you use a zip closure portfolio such as Artcare and the zip is under strain, then you probably have too much"  Thanks for that!

The vibe we get from this school is cool, electric, exciting and challenging.  No wonder it's one of the finest art schools in the world!  

We've got to get an appointment for a school tour when we're in London.  Not really we exactly.  Mimi is going to go to London with her father, but have no fear! I will be meeting them in Paris!  I guess it would be a good time to learn about "guest bloggers" when I am not in London!

Pam

Oooops!

OOOPS!

I didn't mean to start the blog with that paragraph or image when I posted The University of Arts London page.  I thought I had deleted it not MOVED IT TO THE TOP!

Pam

University of the Arts London - The London College of Fashion

This shows up in an article about bee's returning to John Prince's street - this is where the college is growing plants for fabric dye's and flax for fabric - so bee keeping is a win win situation for the garden and the planet.  l 

The University of the Arts London is Europe's largest specialist arts and design university with about 19,000 students from 100 countries.

It was established in 2004 by bringing together six colleges that were founded in the 19th and 20th centuries.

These six colleges are:
  Camberwell College Art, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of  Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion, and Wimbledon College of Art

so let's break down which school would Mimi be interested in...

Camberwell says it's a unique studio culture for students to embrace traditional craftsmanship while
learning about digital technology.
Cool - but that's not fashion

Chelsea College of Art four subjects for study is graphic design, fine art, textile design,
and interior and spatial design.  Not fashion!  Moving on....

Wimbledon College of Art has two subject areas - fine art and theater art and design.  One of the schools alumni is Will Pearce - head puppeteer for the London production of The Lion King!

He must fun with that on a daily basis!  But we need a fashion college...

London College of Fashion is our obvious school of choice along with Central Saint Martins but all of the six schools needed to be looked at.
London College of Fashion statement is "Using fashion to drive change, build a sustainable future and improve the way we live."  I wonder if the two Brits who invented polyester felt that way?!

flax flower

This shows in that the school has a garden to grow plants for dying fabric and flax plants for creating fabric.  They have recently added bee keeping to the school for the garden and the planet.  Very good.


Fashion Design and Development degrees are a 3 year program and you apply through England's common app - UCAS on line.  They do want Mimi's high school transcripts, SAT's but they say a 'C' average grade is good.  Well, OK then!  The school also has options for recognizing that people might need to work and attend part time with a degree earned in 4 years or attend for 4 years with an internship for a year.


The school's promise to the students is "Prepare yourself for a successful career as a fashion product designer and developer able to explore and exploit cutting edge technology and aesthetics for clothing"
I don't know if she would be doing any fashion designing in her first year from that statement and from the layout of the freshman year, the year breaks down like this:

1)Intro to Study Higher Education  2) Intro to Culture and History and Product Creativity and Communications 3) Product Design and Development
Does product development mean sewing couture?  We are going to set up a campus visit for when we go over in July.
Just for fun I have to tell you that the London College of Fashion
also offers a degree to be a Cordwainer 
A shoe designer in soft luxury leather!  Yes I had to look that up!That would fun to take a class in!
Tomorrow - Central Saint Martins College in the University of Arts in London
Pam

Royal College of Art

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART
Kensington Gore, London England

l
 The Royal College of Art turns out to be a Postgraduate program for fashion.where you obtain
a masters degree in Menswear or womenswear, it's a two year program   This is in the School of Material - right to the point of it all!

In the School of Material you can also study ceramics and glass 
goldsmith and silversmith, metalwork and jewelry, and textiles.

The Royal College of Art states that the intended learning outcomes of the program is:
A. Intellectual Engagement
B. Practice
C. Professionalism

The author Erica Jong once said "I think professionalism is important, and professionalism means you get paid."

I found the school standards in this quote "Research across the The School of Material is supported by a shared ethos of experimentation and innovation in design, studio practice, and technology."



Rock on Royal College of Art School of Material!
Pam

Savannah College of Art and Design - Atlanta Campus

Savannah College of Art and Design's Atlanta campus is the same curriculum as Savannah, just in a larger city.

Her trip to London is only a month away so it's time to start investigating

ACROSS THE POND!

Savannah College of Art and Design

SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN - Savannah, Georgia

Anderson Hall

I want to go to school here - it's so beautiful!

Savannah was founded in 1733 by General James Oglethrope who organized the city into grids.  It was the first planned city in the USA and 21 of the original 24 grids has been preserved and saved from the ravages of time.

General Sherman was so impressed by Savannah's beauty that it's been said that he sent President Lincoln a telegram offering the city as a Christmas present!  It would explain the lack of damage from the war.

Savannah College of Art and Design was founded only in 1978 to provide a higher education in the arts - previously not available in the south.  In 1979 the school bought the Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory to serve as the first classroom and is now a part of the National Registry of Historic Places

Most of the instructional buildings on campus are cool and old like this - I love it!    Alexander Hall used to be a flour factory!  Large rooms and huge ceilings are a must for art students!

The school uses the Savannah Theater as their performance hall and as a lecture hall - and where the annual students fashion show exhibits.
I admire the way SCAD reuses these old structures instead of tearing down for something new.

ADMISSIONS at SCAD is rolling - and they say they will be in touch with their decision in three months.  If a students SAT/ACT scores are low, they might ask for more information or more for the portfolio submission.  Prospective students need 1 - 3 letters of recommendation and a 500 word statement of purpose.  This should define their passion, commitment and goals.
Hey!  Zac Posen as the Honorary Chair to the Fashion Department!  Is that inspiration?!

It's a nine hour drive from Washington, DC to Savannah - but it's only an additional 4 hours after we take Mimi's brother to Clemson, SC - so maybe!
Old Arch Hall is a building of working studios situated under a railroad trestle!  It connects two residence halls, one that is named "The Hive" because the mascot is 'Art the Bee" (so much better than RISD!)  The use of what they have in such a creative way is a A plus for SCAD!
If Mimi doesn't want to apply - I think I need to plan a road trip for myself!  Time to learn about SCAD campus in Atlanta.  Pam

Day off!

We took the day off!   Beautiful day on the Delaware National Seashore.  Such a busy time of year, it was good to unplug me, the husband, the kids - and the dog too!

Time (tomorrow) to research the Savannah School of Design....



This looks like it's worthy of a road trip!

Pam

I've been away in West Virginia this weekend for Mimi's brother's graduation - yeah!

At the end of the ceremony, the students all wrapped their arms around each other and swayed and sang along with John Denver's "Country Roads"!  Really sweet!

Gorgeous day - best Mother's Day present ever!

...back to fashion schools with Mimi

The Rhode Island School of Design Mascot "Scrotti" 

The answer came back from RISD to my question of when they ask the applying student to make a drawing instrument, then make a drawing with the instrument, and send a copy of said instrument - like a tooth pick or a feather?  Or manufacture something else entirely?

They replied that the challenge was going to be changed this September, so if I started my drawings now, I would have to do them all over again.  But, they didn't answer my question!  I really wanted to know.

I don't know if it's the mascot or my swift but unanswered question, I don't understand this school very well.

Pam

Rhode Island School of Design

RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DESIGN

...or RISD (risdy) as the cool kids call it, is located in Providence, R.I. and has a respected fashion department.  

A medium sized private college where Mimi can earn a four year BFA in Apparel Design.  Founded by a group of 40 women (I don't know their names) in 1877 - before women had the right to vote.  Students can earn a duel degree with Brown University - a BFA from RISD and a AB from Brown.  This requires applying to Brown in addition to RISD.  As if getting accepted to RISD isn't going to hard enough!

A degree in Apparel Design students will be doing pattern drafting, draping (I know draping is a thing, but in the course description?) and construction as well as being taught and implement design with high end software.  Seniors get real experience in New York City with internships in major Fashion Houses. Seniors complete a line to show in RISD's annual Fashion Show in May.


The school does offer a study abroad program available for 30 juniors and seniors in Rome.
Catherine Andrezzi is the Department Head for Apparel Design and has her own line of fashion!  Catherine Andrezzi, LLC is her private label for her line of knitwear designs.  Some of her clients are Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Liz Claiborne, J.Jill.  She is also the co-founder of a children's knitwear line named 'Sugar Pi' - how cute!  I love the fact that she's is so active in the field she is directing.  She is a RSID graduate.

The Rhode Island School of Design nuts and bolts

RISD uses the common app and it's due this year by February 1st.  Along with the application they also take your SAT scores, college transcripts and although not required, a letter of recommendation is strongly advised.  So why not make it required?
Applicants need also to submit 2 writing examples 400 words a piece.  The first she needs to tell what, where and why she creates.  The second needs to answer "Is there something you have to do, can't stop thinking about, need to do".  The admissions department wants good solid writing examples but says the applicants can express their unique expression and dynamic position.
(They must use these taxidermy animals as models in the studio arts.  Cool and creepy at the same time)

Students need to include 2 drawings with their application.  This is separate from the portfolio requirements - which are 15 -20 pieces submitted digitally, and of course, need to be her best work.

The drawing number one is to be of a bicycle done in graphite pencil

Okay, I guess she could put a fashion model on the bike?!

The second drawing you have a choice of 3 options: make a drawing using both sides of the paper; or using one calendar day make 11 drawings of one object; or create a drawing instrument then make a drawing using that instrument.  What?! You have to send a digital photo of your instrument along with the drawing.  You can use any medium you want in the second drawing.

Now folks, this I drawing here I understand but making a drawing instrument and one that's usable - how's a fashion student going to do that?  Or any of the art students applying.  I am going to shoot the admissions office a e-mail and ask if I got that right.
I'll sign it,
Confused in the College Application