This curriculum delves into the traditional methods employed by goldsmiths but you will also be exposed to contemporary work. You will be encouraged to show maximum creativity as you respond to values that have changed over the years. Their impressive student to faculty ratio encourages students to learn jewelry-making but, at the same time, they are taught to question the body's relationship to their creation. This program brings a host of professional jewelry designers from around the world to the classroom in an effort to help students choose the style with which they are most comfortable. At the end of the program, the school assists each student in finding an internship at a select group of studios and companies.
Personal expression is the goal of this program from California College of the Arts, whether it is in the creation of sculpture, jewelry or more functional objects. You'll explore a variety of materials and processes and the courses are taught by a renowned group of both international and local faculty. The courses emphasize forging, enameling, stone setting, soldering and being able to create mechanisms and hinges in three work areas with individual jeweler's benches with an array of state-of-the-art tools. Besides being taught by a professional faculty, many program are hosted by local professionals. Students and alumni routinely display their work at national competitions and some students receive grants from both the Woman's Jewelry Association and the Society of North American Goldsmiths.
As the courses at Temple University progress, students are exposed to not only jewelry but to tableware, lighting, toys and furniture and are taught techniques relative to their historical significance. In the advanced courses, students are taught to think "out of the box" as they learn new technologies. Computer-aided-design and computer-aided-manufacture teach the students about three-dimensional design and modern digital practices as they use plastics, metals and compounds.