NCAD Students?

HouseHippo

Currently working on my portfolio to get into NCAD.
Any students with first hand experience of the college, could you tell me a bit about it.

Fajitas!

In my final year now, have to say, I loved it... Core wasn't the most enjoyable, but everything else was...

What exactly ye wanna know about it?

HouseHippo

Everything, the peole, the societies, the events.How difficult is Core

Fajitas!

Core isn't exactly difficult, it's just lots of different blocks in different areas of the college, it can get frustrating, but it's worth it. The hardest part can be making up your mind of where you want to go at the end of the year.

People, for the most part, they're great guys - Everyone has a similar interest of art/design, so you'll meet lots of good friends. The social side of NCAD is probably one of the best things in the college - There's always something to do - The SU will organise one big night a week - generally Thursdays, where there's music etc.

The societies are never a big part of the college because it's so small - there are a few alright, like samba druming, some martial arts, yoga... and... er... the 'pirate society'... ahem. :rolleyes:

You generally won't need soc's to make friends though.

Events... The balls are the biggest event - Generally, they're all fancy dress, and make for a great time, there's 6 a year, 3 in the college, and 3 outside the college.


As regards learning, a lot of the courses aren't what you think they are, generally, ie: you won't be sculpting marble masterpieces in Sculture - A lot of the courses are quite conceptual rather than skill based - You can learn the technical skills yourself in or outside of the college, but the tutors will try to guide you towards good research, and having a good idea to begin with, and let you figure out the technical parts yourself.

HouseHippo

Pirate Society lol

Wow the real reason I wanted to go to art college was so I could improve my technique.I hate doing research it's prob my least favourite part of the whole project process, I hate it with a passion in fact

o1s1n

HouseHippo wrote: »

Pirate Society lol

Wow the real reason I wanted to go to art college was so I could improve my technique.I hate doing research it's prob my least favourite part of the whole project process, I hate it with a passion in fact

It all depends on what course you do. I just finished painting in NCAD this summer and the tutors were only too happy to help you out with certain techniques if you ask.

It's not a night course in painting though. Art college isn't just about sitting around in a room creating unconnected image after unconnected image in a bid to learn techniques.

They assume you have the ability to paint/draw/whatever after submitting a portfolio. It's really up to you to develop the rest of your technique. Who are they to tell you how to paint? It's up to you. If you want to paint a particular way, go research it.

Work wise, it's all about projects. Projects give you a basis to make work. Work that links to other work. You get a train of thought going that connects it all together.

You need to research before embarking on these projects. And even research while partaking in them. It fuels your ideas. If you don't you'll hit a brick wall.

Without wanting to freak you out, you'd want to learn to like it very fast, as it's central to the course.

HouseHippo

o1s1n wrote: »

It all depends on what course you do. I just finished painting in NCAD this summer and the tutors were only too happy to help you out with certain techniques if you ask.

It's not a night course in painting though. Art college isn't just about sitting around in a room creating unconnected image after unconnected image in a bid to learn techniques.

They assume you have the ability to paint/draw/whatever after submitting a portfolio. It's really up to you to develop the rest of your technique. Who are they to tell you how to paint? It's up to you. If you want to paint a particular way, go research it.

Work wise, it's all about projects. Projects give you a basis to make work. Work that links to other work. You get a train of thought going that connects it all together.

You need to research before embarking on these projects. And even research while partaking in them. It fuels your ideas. If you don't you'll hit a brick wall.

Without wanting to freak you out, you'd want to learn to like it very fast, as it's central to the course.

Of course I can draw, I wouldn't consider it if i couldn't I just want to improve.
Also I have alot of trouble putting whats in my head down on paper,that's what I really want to learn.
Are you thought persepective etc etc.

o1s1n

HouseHippo wrote: »

Of course I can draw, I wouldn't consider it if i couldn't I just want to improve.
Also I have alot of trouble putting whats in my head down on paper,that's what I really want to learn.
Are you thought persepective etc etc.

I never said you couldn't draw

What I said what it's not up to them to teach you how to develop technique. You do that on your own. By engaging in whatever practice you decide to specialize in.

If you have trouble putting what's in your head down on paper, you just need to find out what the best way of doing it is for you.

Some people write their thoughts, some people draw them, some people take relevant photos. You'll figure it out once you get in there and are doing it every day.

Setun

In ncad they teach you how to think like an artist/designer, which arguably is more important than having technical skill in the contemporary art world (but that's another thread... :rolleyes:)

As previously said, if you get into ncad you've got some level of technical profiency anyway, the best way to keep that up is to practice lifedrawing, keep a notebook etc. When it comes to thinking of ideas worthy of realising, that's a whole different ball game, and that's what in my experience NCAD does a great job of teaching. I liked core year, mainly because my tutor had such a positive influence on my approach to my art, and still does today. Like fajitas! I am specialising in media and I can honestly say I wouldn't want to be studying anything else - really enjoying it. NCAD is difficult, especially for people right out of the LC but after the first project or two you'll get right into it. Best of luck with the portfolio!

experiMental

If you're thinking of going into Industrial design, bear in mind that's it's not a "make this product look better" - type course anymore. You'll need to have some grounding in technical disciplines, like engineering or you should do some tinkering/fixing things in your spare time. If you did physics for your Leaving, you'll find Industrial design so much easier.

it's not engineering, but at the same time it's not sculpture either, it's something in between and beyond.

HouseHippo

experiMental wrote: »

If you're thinking of going into Industrial design, bear in mind that's it's not a "make this product look better" - type course anymore. You'll need to have some grounding in technical disciplines, like engineering or you should do some tinkering/fixing things in your spare time. If you did physics for your Leaving, you'll find Industrial design so much easier.

it's not engineering, but at the same time it's not sculpture either, it's something in between and beyond.

Yuck no thanks.lol Core year for me