Teaching is a community effort
How we approach teaching
Critique
Talking about our work is an important component of figuring out how to grow. We want our classroom spaces and studio to be inclusive. It’s hard to share work at first! So we want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable so it’s not so hard to be vulnerable and share. Critique doesn’t need to be harsh to be useful.
Studio time
We have a big, bright studio where every student and staff member has a desk to work at for their whole time here. Spending time in the studio is where we rub up against new ideas, see what our colleagues are up to, and discover unexpected things. We encourage students to come into the studio every day if they can.
Research
Research is a word that’s flung around quite freely sometimes, but we do consider it the base of our practices among staff and we want to share that with our students. Our department runs the Pittville Press, an illustrative publishing imprint of the University, and through that we explore practice as research.
Mentoring
One on one time with tutors is really important. And in the second year there is a work placement where students have the chance to develop mentors outside the classroom. We also have an alumni group that loves to work with students. These connections help students learn how to network in a way that is natural and never forced.