Art Degrees Online

Aim of the programme

MA Photography and the Book is a unique award that offers you the opportunity to develop your photographic practice, knowledge and understanding through the resolution of individual projects where the dominant but not exclusive form of dissemination is a book or bookwork.

It is also intended to provide those with an editorial or curatorial photographic practice with the opportunity to develop and resolve original projects in book forms.

The programme has an ethos of experimentation, creativity, risk-taking, research and authorship which, combined with extended practice, leads to the development of a critical and theoretical understanding of the medium of photography.

Programme highlights

Staff team with extensive international experience of photography and editing, designing and publishing
Full range of new photographic resources in a complex alongside media, design and print resourses
Links with an established Publishing MA

The Scott Building, where you will be based and where these resources are housed, also contains the Faculty’s Printmaking and Letterpress workshops.
Entry requirements

A good honours degree in photography or a related visual communication subject.
Appropriate professional experience may also be considered. An interview, portfolio and written piece of work will be required. IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent.

Duration

1 year full time or 2 years part time
Contact email

artspostgrad@plymouth.ac.uk
Contact details

Postgraduate Admissions
Faculty of Arts

Tel: +44 (0) 1752 585100

General programme structure

Photography: the practice of research examines models of photographic practice-based research methodology and gives an opportunity to initiate fields of individual visual and conceptual enquiry. You begin a process of consolidating technical understanding relevant to your practice.

The photobook: historically and now considers the book as a mode of dissemination of ideas and images, through critical examination of photography books, and books illustrated photographically, historically and now.

MA project proposal: through practice, research, seminars, tutorials and workshops you consolidate the work begun in the first module, defining your MA project proposal and testing this thoroughly through practice.

The photobook: production and publishing develops an understanding of the arenas of editing, design, copywriting, print, binding and the distribution and marketing of photographic books within the contemporary fields of book publishing, through seminars, tutorials, exercises, workshops and visits.

MA Photographic project: asks you to resolve an individual project in the form of a photographic book or bookwork/s, with a report or dissertation providing a critical commentary to your practice. The module therefore provides you with a context to consolidate your MA practice.

PRINTMAKING
The scope of printmaking is rich in artistry and history spanning detailed designs on fabrics and wall-coverings, intricate wood-block prints to hand-engraved intaglio prints. CVA printmaking is a fine arts study that bridges time and the fields of graphic design, illustration, and book arts.

The print shop provides a generous range of printmaking facilities in a condensed space allowing students to pursue traditional and alternative techniques in screen-printing, intaglio, plate lithography, relief, monotype, collagraph, collage, and the book arts..

After solid grounding in basic printmaking techniques, materials, safety, and shop practices from the introductory course, students may elect to explore contemporary methods using digital and photosensitive materials. In all print classes, emphasis is placed on students developing a cohesive portfolio of work that reflects a clear concept and knowledge of producing multiple prints as well as unique one-of-a-kind variations. The successful combination of alternative with traditional processes, and presenting the prints publicly in book, box, portfolio, or unusual formats is encouraged.

The print experience is enhanced by the book arts courses where successful small press entrepreneurs teach students both traditional and experimental approaches to constructing and making books. The letterpress studio offers an important link between typography and fine art, and continues students’ education in the rich traditions and contemporary issues of printmaking.

Printmaking is a process-oriented medium that involves drawing on or carving into one material, usually wood, stone or metal, and then transferring that image onto another material, usually paper. The Plattsburgh State Printmaking program cultivates a balance between process and concept in a cooperative workshop environment.

Students explore a variety of printmaking media including intaglio, lithography, relief, letterpress, and creative bookmaking. Both unique prints and multiples are produced. While engaging in the practical study of printmaking techniques, students also look at the history of the discipline and discuss related critical issues in contemporary art.

The print shop is very much a working and social community, with a wonderful spirit of cooperation. It is a place where students are taught to master basic technical skills and then encouraged to pursue their own aesthetic path. Students often work collaboratively, producing shared works of art in the form of books or portfolios.
Printmaking Facilities

The printmaking facility consists of a well-lit and ventilated studio equipped with three etching and two lithography presses. There are thirty or more lithographic stones varying in size and color, and a good selection of rollers and brayers. Additionally, there is a small letterpress shop and a book-binding room equipped with foundry type, a book press and other bookbinding tools.