Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Design in Material Art & Design OCAD University

Material Art & Design

In the Material Art & Design program, you will learn how to create jewelry, textiles, and ceramics as a professional studio artist or designer. You’ll focus on making your own designs and will learn the critical and business skills you’ll need to succeed.

In this program, you can choose to focus on textiles or jewelry and metalsmithing. You can also take electives in ceramics, fashion design, and wearable technology. Program instructors are top textile, jewelry, and ceramics artists and designers.

What You’ll Do in the Program

First Year

In the first year, you’ll take intro classes in topics such as:

• Color and 2D design
• 3D design, fabrication and digital modeling
• Drawing
• Art and Design history
• Jewelry
• Textiles

Second Year

In the second year, you will have more choices of classes that interest you and will study:

• Drawing
• Material art history
• Jewellery 3D digital design
• Jewelry casting
• Jewelry fabrication
• Textiles dyeing and printing
• Textiles stitching
• Textiles weaving and knitting
• Silversmithing
• Courses in liberal studies

Third Year

The third year will feature open electives and more advanced courses, such as:

• Jewelry or textiles drawing and rendering
• Jewelry or textiles professional practice
• Jewelry structure and gem setting
• Jewelry or Textiles history
• Textiles weaving, knitting, and printing
• Jewelry or Textiles concepts
• Electives such as liberal studies, ceramics and wearable form

Fourth Year

• In the fourth year, you will focus your study on your area of interest. You’ll spend the year working on your thesis project and will showcase your work at GradEx ̶ OCAD U’s Graduate Exhibition, the biggest free art and design exhibition in Toronto with more than 40,000 visitors.

Our studios are equipped with the traditional tools and new technology needed to prepare you for work as an artist, designer or craftsperson.

If you focus on textiles, you’ll create your own printed, woven and experimental textiles for sculpture, clothing and surface design. You’ll use traditional methods and new technology such as digital printing, embroidery, and knitting.

If you focus on jewelry and metalsmithing, you’ll create your own fine jewelry and sculptures with metals and other materials. You will also learn to use traditional methods of fabrication and casting alongside computer-aided design and manufacturing.

At the end of this four-year program, you will earn your choice of a Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Jobs You Can Get

Graduates of the program work in:

• Textile, jewelry or ceramic art and design
• Fashion and costume design
• Product design
• Interior design

Some students pursue graduate studies in art, craft, design, ceramics, fashion, jewelry, textiles and museum studies.

Co-ops/Internships

OCAD U offers so much more than co-ops because creative careers take many forms. Our approach is specialized and individual to every student’s needs and goals. You will be able to take advantage of:

• Short experiential learning placements from among hundreds of organizations
• Creative in-class projects with real-world industry partners
• Exclusive summer internships
• Gallery exhibitions of your work
• Freelance creative opportunities
• Jobs after graduation
• Opportunities to sell your work

OCAD University’s dedicated support services will help you build a professional community, valuable experience and skills necessary for a meaningful career.