Bridie Lander

GradDip Jewellery and Related Products

Could you tell us about what you do and how these feed into your course?

I'm an award winning designer/artist from Sydney Australia where I worked at Sydney College of the Arts, Sydney University. I have over fifteen years’ experience in education and I'm currently Course Leader for the Graduate Certificate / Graduate Diploma, Pre-MA course at the School of Jewellery.

My research interests include the impact of the digital on the handmade and how the virtual and handmade may be integrated. Key to my practice is the role of the object as the interface, the mediation between virtual and actual worlds, between body and environment. As an educator I am committed to supporting students in finding and realising their own creative identity through gaining confidence in the exploration of materials and processes.

What is the philosophy of your course? 

The aim of the course is to give you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and confidence in contemporary jewellery studio practice. It is an opportunity to try a number of techniques and process along with engaging with the history and current debates in the field of contemporary jewellery. This will help you understand the possible direction and the area for further study at an MA level and prepare you for independent study and depth of creative research.

If you had to name one thing about your course that makes it distinct, what would it be?

Specialist

Why do you believe it’s important to study GradDip and why might students want to study your course?

On the Graduate Diploma course you are encouraged to find and develop your own creative voice. The course is as much about you finding your own unique ‘style’ as it is about you gaining technical and theoretical experience. The course develops your confidence to participate and engage. You are encouraged to ask questions, bring your opinions to class, find out new things and share in the class, be prepared to share ideas and to discuss things. The course will enrich your understanding and help identify your potential specific areas of research that you can pursue at an MA level.

Where will the students be based in their time here and what will their learning environment be?

Students are predominately based at the School of Jewellery. Students have access to specialist jewellery studio facilities and to general design teaching rooms.

What can students do to help prepare them for the course?

Be prepared to be curious, to be reflective and flexible. Acquiring skill requires many hours of practice, so students also need to be prepared to spend time in independent study.

What’s the favourite element about working at the School of Jewellery?

You are surround by supportive staff passionate about their subject in a busy friendly, creative environment.