COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This introductory metalsmithing course blends
technical instruction with an investigation of design and concept as it relates
to ornament and function. Students
develop confidence and proficiency with the basic skills of forming and fabrication. Specific techniques that will be covered are
raising, forging, finishing of non-ferrous metals, sawing, filing, drilling,
sanding, polishing, annealing, planishing and soldering. We will also cover
safety in the studio, proper hand-tool care, and the physical properties of
metal. It is the goal of this course for students to gain an understanding of
metal as a material and a broad understanding of the field of Jewelry and
Metalsmithing. Assignments will build on each other and become more challenging
throughout the semester. Each project
will rely on technical, formal and conceptual development. Classroom
discussions, demonstrations and visual presentations will focus attention on
traditional technical skills, design considerations, and the breadth of this
exciting field.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
- Build a working vocabulary of how metal can be formed and
fabricated through the intrinsic physical characteristics of the material.
- Build a working vocabulary of tool use, selection, maintenance, and
safety.
- Become familiar with historical and contemporary hollowware and
tableware to develop critical thinking skills for the
analysis and development of work by self and by others.
- Develop foresight in the construction of larger and more complex
objects.
- Develop confidence and diligence in the making process.
- To
cultivate an understanding of the expressive content and communicative
qualities of metal and metal processes.
- To
develop effective manipulation of visual components and structures
relative to materials and process with the intent of an overall visual
expression.
- To
develop technical skills appropriate to the concepts and media,
concentrating on medium scale hollow forms and construction.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Students
will be expected to work on studio problems in class and out of class. The
work being submitted should reveal creative solutions to the problems
assigned. Just turning in the assignment does not guarantee a passing
grade.
- Students
will be expected to reveal accomplishment and growth in the use of
practical skills and techniques in completion of studio problems.
- Pride
in craftsmanship and personal investigation is essential.
- Students
will be expected to develop standards and criteria for objective evaluation
of his or her own work as well as the work of others.
- Students
are expected to have an active involvement in class work and in group
discussions.
- Students
are expected to attend all classes and departmental lectures &
critiques.
- Students
who miss a class are responsible for all missed information.
- Students
must communicate with instructor regarding any performance issues.
- Each
student is expected to come to class with needed tools, drawings and
models as required.
- Students
are expected to keep an active, ongoing sketchbook for journal entries,
visual notations, along with project ideas & studies.
- Students
should plan their time wisely. Solutions should be realistic & planned
in relation to each projects time frame.
- Students
are expected to follow all studio rules laid out by the instructor and the
department tech.
- Cell
Phones, food and music are unacceptable during active class-time and can
only be used during break and outside of the classroom
Research:
Each student will be required to be actively
involved in individual research with each project. This may include drawings,
readings, models/ maquettes, written work and contemporary/historical research
to further their ideas and help give context to the work produced. All forms of
research should be used. This includes
but is not limited to Pinterest, Tumblr, Flickr, Facebook, Instagram,
scrapbook, sketchbooks, Magazines, etc.
BE RESPONSIBLE:
You are expected to bring all necessary materials
for each day’s assignment. You are
expected to be in class on time, stay the full time, and make the most of the
class time for completing your work. If
you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and be
prepared for the following class. Get to know your neighbors (phone #’s); use
each other! Call your friends! If you need my assistance catching up on
materials missed, you must meet with me outside of class. I will not spend class time going over missed
material.
ATTENDENCE:
Attendance
is mandatory. Not only
is this common courtesy, but missing a class, being late, unprepared, etc.
affects your performance and my ability to conduct class and help others at the
most effective level. Only 1 absence
will be excused. Any additional absences
will lower your final grade by HALF of one letter grade for each
additional absence.
SKETCHBOOK:
A sketchbook is required for a coherent documentation of the verbal descriptions of
ideas, preparatory drawings, photocopies of source material such as art,
design, nature, etc. At the end of each class, entries will be made in the
sketchbooks recording problems, questions, progress and short-term goals. The sketchbook will be reviewed during the second
to last week of classes. Project evaluations and handouts should be kept as
well. In summary, reflective and analytical text, several small drawings and at
least three photocopies are expected for each project. The sketchbook is almost
a loose project planner. Taking small notes and doing doodles in the corners is
actually a good thing here. Add anything you feel helps you solve problems with
your projects. The sketchbook will be averaged in with any quizzes to become
another project grade. A minimum of 50
pages is required OR if in digital format such as a blog you must have at
least 50 posts. If a student turns
in a sketchbook with less than 50 pages they may receive a failing mark. Any
medium may be used for sketches.
Recommended sketching tools are watercolor, gauche, pencil, acrylic and
water based inks. All blog links must be emailed to me by the second day of
class.
REQUIRED SUPPLIES:
Department outfitted toolboxes: If you have your
own tools, you may use them. A list will
be provided with all necessary tools and you are expected to purchase what is
missing. Metals and supplies that are needed throughout the semester are
available for purchase at the 3D store. You may also bring your own materials
with the exception of lead and unidentified chemicals. These materials must be
vetted by the department technician.
ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES:
Please bring to class the following: rags or
towel for drying, apron, safety glasses and ear protection, hair ties for long
hair, Band-Aids, fine-tipped permanent magic marker, xacto knife or scissors,
paper, tape, writing implements, circle template, compass, ruler, sketchbook,
metal, wire solder. Personal metal tools etc. These and/or related items can be
purchased online or at the RISD 3D supply store.
PLEASE NOTE:
Jeweler's saw blades are not readily available at
hardware stores. They are sometimes available at special hobby stores and
model-train suppliers. Not everyone carries them. You can order saw blades and silver and
solder by mail, OR source them locally. Do NOT buy solder at the hardware
store-this is not the same kind we use in the metals studio and it can be a
health hazard in a shared space.
Often you will have the opportunity to use the
school's tools. These tools are designed specifically for processes we will
cover in class. You are responsible for maintaining these tools in excellent
condition or better. At the end of every
session they must be returned in perfect order.
Any items damaged through miss-use must be repaired/replaced prior to
the final critique. If tools are damaged
or missing at that time, your grades will be encumbered, until you make repairs
or replacements.
Please do not use the tools for things other than
metalsmithing and jewelry-making. Please keep the tools dry and free from rust
and scratches. Be nice to your tools, and they will be nice to you.
GRADING:
Projects will be assessed by these criteria -
technical accomplishment, sophistication of concept, idea engagement,
problem-solving, demonstration of research, timely completion of well-executed
samples.
Technically, each project is equal to 20% of your
grade (three projects and sketchbook, four total =80%). The last 20% is
determined by your commitment to in-class work, your demonstrated interest in
the subject, enthusiasm, and degree of artistic experimentation. Other factors
include the quality of your samples and sketchbook, timely completion of
projects, and attendance record.
Late projects or incomplete projects will receive
reduced grades. Unfinished work will not be critiqued. A grade of Incomplete
will only be awarded based on circumstances delineated in the student
handbook. Please refer to that document
for further information regarding Incomplete grades.
GRADE BREAKDOWN:
A
Clear and complete understanding of the concepts
introduced by the assignment. Creative and individual application of these
concepts in problem solving. Sensitive use of materials and tools Extensive
participation in class discussion and critiques. Good work habits.
B
Good understanding of the concepts introduced by
the assignment. Creative and individual application of these concepts in
problem solving. Good use of materials and tools Participation in class
discussions and critiques. Good work
habits.
C
Average understanding of the concepts introduced
by the assignment. Average application of these concepts in problem solving.
Some understanding of materials and tools.
Limited participation in class discussions and critiques. Average work habits.
D or F
Incomplete understanding of the concepts
introduced by the problem. Poor application of these concepts in problem
solving. Poor use of materials and
tools. Little or no class participation.
A = 90-100%, B = 80-90%, C = 70-80%, D =
60-70%, F = below 59%
Health and Safety
Disclosure:
This course and all Metal Arts courses at RISD
pose potential health risks to people with dust and chemical allergies, as well
as to women who are pregnant. Please
consult your physician with questions as to your particular situation. If you
have a medical situation in class, please inform the instructor and your doctor.
Students enrolled in Metal Arts courses are expected to abide by safety rules
when working in the studio. If a student is not following proper safety
regulations, they may be asked to drop the course.
Emergency Numbers: Police
and Fire 911 Off
Campus: 401 454-6666 On Campus: Public safety ext:6666
STUDIO MAINTENANCE:
You are expected to clean up after yourself during and at the
end of each class, or work session. Please respect the
work of others. The mess you leave on the tabletop surface will affect the next
person who works in your space. I will give specific instructions on how to
clean up after each medium. Some of the techniques necessary for this course
are, or can be, dangerous. It is very important to keep the studio environment
as clean as possible to lessen the potential for accidents. Cleanliness and
safety will play a very crucial role in this course, so you will constantly be
looking out for yourself, and others. As part of this class, there will be a
mandatory clean up day during exam week. Failure to participate will be noted
by the technician and will cause points to be deducted from your final grade.
SAFETY:
As mentioned above, some of the materials and
techniques we will be covering in this course are dangerous. I will be covering the potential risks
involved as the need arises. You
are expected to wear the necessary protection and take the necessary
precautions to avoid injury and/or health hazards. Every student MUST USE safety glasses,
a dust-mask, and hearing protection (which will be issued to you). Please refer to additional policies that
apply to the art dept. concerning safety on the “Student Health and Safety
Information” sheet provided by the department technician.
RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS:
“The Complete Metalsmith” By: Tim McCreight
“Professional Goldsmithing” By: Alan Revere
“Silversmithing” By: Rupert Finegold and William
Seitz
“Jewelry Concepts and Technology” By: Oppi Untracht
“Forms in Metal” By: Hekki Seppa
OTHER RESOURCES:
CONTENTI
(online orders, tools, metals etc, local
pickup same day)
515 Narragansett Park
Drive, Pawtucket, RI 02861
(800)
343-3364
www.contenti.com
OTTO
FREI
(online orders, tools, metals
etc)
126 2nd Street Oakland,
California 94607
(800) 772-3456
www.ottofrei.com
RIO
GRANDE
(online orders, tools, metals
etc)
7500 Bluewater Rd NW Albuquerque,
NM 87121
(800) 545-6566
www.riogrande.com
CALENDAR: (subject to change)
Sept 13th
Class introduction,
intro to the smithing room
Introduction basic tools and their use
Supplies: tool kit, bench area, keys, studio hours etc.
Demonstration: hammers, shaping, repairing and use
Safety. Card access
Introduction of project 1: Forging
Lecture:
flatware/metals
HW research
utensils/make six cardboard models
Sept
20th
Demo:
How metal moves (copper)
WIP (work in progress)
Critique
Annealing,
torch use and safety
Last day for
Withdrawal
Practice
forging
WIP reviews Design
discussion
Possible departmental
visiting lecture
Sept
27th
Field
trip to the museum
Demo: handle
materials/wood carving/plastics
Work on flatware
WIP reviews Design
discussion
Oct
4th
Work
day, one on one meetings
Oct
11th
Project
1: due
Introduction of project 2: Vessels/Nesting
Bowls
Demo: Sinking, surface
patterns and plannishing
Oct 17th
MIDTERM REVIEW
Oct
25th
Demo: texturing tools,
texturing hammer
chasing and edge treatment
Work on bowls
Demo: Patina, Polishing,
finishing and sealing
Nov1st
WIP
(work in progress)
Demo: TBA
Work on bowls
Nov
8th
Project 2: due
Introduction of project 3:
Demo: non-conforming
dies
Nov 15th
Work day
WIP review (work in
progress)
Nov
22nd
No
Class / Thanksgiving break through the 27th
Nov
29th
Demo:
making a handle
Work day
Dec
6th
Demo:
fold forming
WIP (work in progress)
Critique
Work day
Bring in all
work from the semester to finalize
Dec
11th
Final review: location TBA
Final crit for project 3
due
All work is
due
Bring in all
work from the semester to finalize
