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Jewellery Art and Design

CREDENTIAL: Diploma
START DATES

Get hands-on experience in the design and fabrication of jewellery through intensive courses in metal techniques, drawing, design, history of jewellery, gemmology, digital jewellery design, and business management.

Tuition: 15044*
Credential: Diploma
Length: 2 0 years
Hours: Part- or Full-time
Delivery: Class-based
Program Flyer: Download
Campus: Downtown Downtown
Start Dates: Sep
$33/hr
Average wage
in Vancouver
$33/hr
Average wage
in Vancouver
 

What you will learn

  • Jewellery fabrication (piercing, soldering, doming, texturing, finishing, riveting)
  • Traditional goldsmithing techniques
  • Lost wax casting
  • Stone setting
  • Metal forging
  • Jewellery repair
  • Machinery, tools, safety
  • Metallurgy and alloys
  • Origins and properties of gemstones
  • Gemstone assessment
  • Gemstone cuts, care, and cleaning
  • Gemstone marketing, buying, and pricing
  • Diamond properties
  • International diamond market
  • Visual literacy
  • Conceptual design
  • Illustration and visual representation
  • Technical drawing
  • Perspective drawing
  • 3D design software
  • History of Jewellery
  • Jewellery in global cultures
  • Art in contemporary society
  • Northwest Coast Indigenous jewellery and design
  • Individuality and artistic expression
  • Meanings of jewellery
  • Business management and entrepreneurship
  • Jewellery-related laws and regulations
  • Promotion, advertising, ethics
  • Production methods and time management

What to expect

  • Two years of full-time study, or part-time for up to 5 years
  • 70-90 per cent of time dedicated to hands-on, technical training
  • Industry-experienced instructors
  • Cohort-style classes with personalized learning
  • Technical assignments
  • Creative projects
  • Critiques
  • Lectures
  • Technical assignments
  • Exams
  • Demonstrations
  • Group projects
  • Research projects
  • Guest presentations
  • Public showcases and exhibitions
  • Field trips
  • Fully equipped workshops
  • Use of hand tools and torches
  • Networking with industry professionals
  • Award and scholarship opportunities
  • Opportunity to transfer to jewellery degree programs at AUA (Calgary), or NSCAD University (Halifax)

Admission requirements

Program-specific

Admission to the Jewellery Art and Design program is on a competitive selection basis. Applicants must have completed Grade 12 or acceptable equivalent. In addition, an interview will be arranged with the selection committee.

Candidates should bring to the interview:

  • Portfolio*
  • Resumé
  • Letter of Intent

A portfolio is a collection of images of showing artistic ability, technical aptitude and/or hand-eye coordination. It should be saved as a PDF and sent to the Department in advance of the interview. It should include 10-20 pieces, and could include examples of any of the following:

  • Drawing and Painting
  • Photography
  • Collage
  • Sculpture
  • Jewellery
  • Textile and fibre arts
  • Metal and/or wood work
  • Ceramics
  • Any other art or craft demonstrating creativity and/or manual dexterity

Portfolios will be judged on the degree to which they show creativity and/or hand-eye coordination.

The resumé should include previous education and work experience.

The letter of intent should outline why the applicant has chosen to apply for the program, and could also include career and/or artistic goals, and other areas of interest.

A major focus of the interview is on establishing the applicant’s ability to succeed in the program with consideration given to ability and willingness to accept and grow in a learning environment, ability to interact with others, commitment to the total program, attention span, and previous art/design related training and experience. Successfully chosen candidates may be o?ered seats to the program.

*The Department recognizes that not all applicants will have previous experience in art, craft, or design. Applicants who do not have a portfolio are asked to bring a collection of found images of jewellery, and be prepared to discuss what makes them examples of fine craftsmanship or effective design.

General

  • This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
  • Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
  • Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
  • Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
 

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended Characteristics

  • Open-mindedness
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Creativity
  • Manual dexterity
  • Strong work ethic
  • Good eyesight (corrected vision is accepted)
  • Patience
  • Attention to detail
  • Curiosity
  • Enthusiasm
  • Commitment
  • Appreciation of fine craftsmanship and design

Courses *

Prior learning assessment and recognition

Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program. 

Plan of Study Grid
Term OneCredits
JADE 1120 Metal Techniques 1: Foundations of Goldsmithing 12
JADE 1121 Drawing 1 1.5
JADE 1122 History and Culture of Jewellery 1 1.5
  Credits 15
Term Two
JADE 1123 Metal Techniques 2: Wax Modeling and Casting 6
JADE 1124 Gemstone Settings 1 3
JADE 1125 Design 1 1.5
JADE 1126 Practical Gemmology 1 2
JADE 1127 Year One Capstone Project 3
  Credits 15.5
Term Three
JADE 1128 History and Culture of Jewellery 2 1.5
JADE 2220 Metal Techniques 3: Advanced Fabrication 6
JADE 2221 Gemstone Settings 2 3
JADE 2222 Drawing 2 1.5
JADE 2223 Practical Gemmology 2 2
JADE 2224 Digital Jewellery Design 1 1.5
  Credits 15.5
Term Four
JADE 2225 Metal Techniques 4: Specialized Jewellery Processes 6
JADE 2226 Gemstone Settings 3 3
JADE 2227 Design 2 1.5
JADE 2228 Digital Jewellery Design 2 1.5
JADE 2229 Business Practices for Jewellers 2.5
JADE 2230 Diploma Project 3
  Credits 17.5
  Total Credits 63.5

This guide is intended as a general guideline only. The college reserves the right to make changes as appropriate.

Fees and other costs *

Tuition Deposit

0 (0 non-refundable)

Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.

Fee descriptionFee AmountNotes
Application fee36
Tuition Tuition 15044
Student union256
College initiative181
Materials0 not including textbooks
Campus resource301
Laundry0
Tools (deposit)0
Coverall (deposit)0
Uniform (deposit)0
Medical and Dental 550
Temporary Medical Insurance 0
U-PASS 796
Graduation45
Program-specific extra fees0
Total

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Apply now

Sep 2024
(Fall term)
October 01, 2023
ONLINE
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC
Get started
MAIL
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5

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