Jewelry Design

In this process-oriented course, students combine deep, disciplined research with careful writing and revision to produce a thoughtful, creative, and personally meaningful research essay. They learn to formulate focused research questions, identify and investigate credible sources, and synthesize expert opinion with their own insight in support of a clearly defined, complex thesis. The emphasis is on curiosity, exploration, and discovery. As part of the process, students also gain confidence and competency in two primary areas of written expression: organization and mechanics.

An introductory study of the principles and elements of color and design theory. Students critique aspects of a visual representation by analyzing the components of design and the use of color by the artist.

Students learn gemstones from their origins in nature to their use in jewelry. Basic identification of natural, imitation, and lab-grown gems and the history and evaluation of diamonds, colored gems, and pearls are covered. Prerequisite: JDSN 1100

This course surveys the styles and functions of jewelry from primitive times to the present. The status, symbolism, and historical significance of jewelry are explored. A context for modern jewelry design is developed from the synthesis of historical and modern styles. Prerequisite: JDSN 1100

A course in oral communication designed to give students poise, speaking confidence, and the ability to develop and produce a focused, well-organized speech that holds the audience’s attention through effective delivery methods. Presentational skills and audience-centered communication are emphasized.

This course explores the science of creativity and emphasizes a psychological and socio-cultural approach. Students analyze and develop their own creative process through a quarter-long design project.

Designed to foster independent thinking, this course strengthens students’ capacity to reason clearly, critically, and creatively, including the ability (1) to analyze the arguments of others, (2) to synthesize effective arguments of their own, and (3) to solve problems skillfully. Students also gain experience in reading closely and conducting purposeful, imaginative research—skills essential to the examination of demanding social, moral, political, and personal issues. Prerequisite: GNST 1040

A survey of art, architecture, and design from the Prehistoric Period through the Middle Ages. Included are the social, economic, cultural, political, and religious influences which have prompted or affected the art of each period. Students examine works of art and their iconography, stylistic techniques, and different media, with the goal of being able to recognize, understand, and discuss various art forms in their broader contexts.

This course is an introductory survey of the art and artists influencing and informing the international visual arts of the late modern and contemporary periods. Beginning with Post-War Expressionism and Pop Art, the course covers the diverse movements of the late 20th century, including Feminist art, Minimalism, and Conceptual art. Students examine the art and architecture of the postmodern, post-pop environment of today, paying special attention to new media and modes of expression such as video, installation, and performance art. Students investigate the intersections of fine art and popular culture as well as explore unique voices from the margins that inform visual culture today.

A survey of American history from 1930-2000. Emphasis is on the political and economic features, both domestic and foreign, that contributed to the emergence of the welfare state and the nation’s rise to global leadership after World War II. The course provides an understanding of the Great Depression, the Second World War, the Cold War, America’s eventual emergence as the world’s only superpower, and the interrelation of all these factors.

To become more self-reliant and enterprising in the job search, students investigate career opportunities and the career path, personal traits, job responsibilities, and qualifications necessary to be competitive and promotable. Students build research tools that enable them to develop a plan of action, conduct informational interviews, practice interviewing skills, and produce a digitized professional resume, biographical statement, and cover letter for immediate submission to prospective employers.

This course introduces students to the jeweler’s bench, tools, and basic manufacturing methods used in jewelry making. Students learn the terminology of the jewelry trade, and develop an understanding of appropriate materials and methods used for specific applications.

This course introduces students to the basic techniques of rendering for jewelry design. Students draw perspective illustrations of necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings, and other jewelry.

This class emphasizes the importance of rendering detail accurately. Students learn to express the distinctive artistic attributes of jewelry through the use of colored pencils, markers, and gouache. Prerequisites: GNST 2780, JDSN 1100, JDSN 1200

In this course, students apply jewelry fabrication techniques necessary to create and produce jewelry designs. Prerequisites: GNST 1620, JDSN 1100

After learning the techniques, materials, and principles of wax carving by hand and casting, students in this course produce wax models and cast their designs to produce finished jewelry settings. Prerequisites: GNST 1620, JDSN 1100, JDSN 1200

Students in this course continue to build the technical skills for the fabrication of jewelry. Construction of connecting mechanisms as well as techniques for forming and manipulating metals (such as chasing and raising) are explored. Students analyze and develop creative solutions to the challenges inherent in these processes. Prerequisites: JDSN 1400, JDSN 1600, JDSN 1700

This course outlines the components for costume, bridge, and fine jewelry collections. Students are introduced to all of the elements needed to launch and run a successful jewelry design business. Prerequisites: GNST 1520, GNST 1560, GNST 1620

Students in this course draw upon their research skills and their understanding of the principles and elements of design to create and produce jewelry pieces inspired by global influences. Prerequisites: JDSN 1400, JDSN 1600, JDSN 1700

This course introduces students to Rhinoceros as a multimedia computer tool for creative design and presentation. Students gain hands-on experience in creating new designs, drawing line sheets, executing technical sketches, and preparing color stories and materials concepts. Prerequisites: GNST 1520, GNST 1560, JDSN 1400, JDSN 1700

Students continue to strengthen and perfect their metalsmithing skills by exploring advanced surface techniques such as reticulation, mokumé gane, and enameling. This course also enables students to use the stone setting and finishing techniques required for finished pieces of jewelry. Prerequisites: JDSN 1700, JDSN 1800

In this course, students combine various media and techniques to produce jewelry pieces of their own design. Prerequisites: JDSN 1800, JDSN 1850, JDSN 1900

Students create complex digital models for jewelry set with gemstones. All major setting techniques are explored. Prerequisites: JDSN 2000, JDSN 2100

This course gives students the opportunity to express individuality and produce unique examples of distinct jewelry designs incorporating non-traditional materials. Prerequisites: JDSN 2000, JDSN 2200

As a culmination of their training, students design individual jewelry collections. The course includes discussions of sourcing, merchandising, and marketing as they relate to students’ designs. Prerequisites: JDSN 2200, JDSN 2300

Students develop a sample case exhibiting examples of the work they have created throughout the program. The sample cases are presented to and evaluated by a jury of professionals. Prerequisites: JDSN 2000, JDSN 2200

This course is a continuation of KNTD 2500 and KNTD 2600 with the emphasis on shaping, for fully fashioned industrial knit garments utilizing Stoll CMS equipment and M 1 Plus software. Prerequisites: KNTD 2500, KNTD 2600

This class emphasizes the importance of rendering detail accurately. Students learn to express the distinctive artistic attributes of jewelry through the use of colored pencils, markers, and gouache. Prerequisites: GNST 2780, JDSN 1100, JDSN 1200