ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART
...a unique juxtaposition of art in a design environment
Rejecting the notion that design is purely functional and art is entirely aesthetic, the RCA offers the unique juxtaposition of art in a design environment, and design in an art environment. This encourages new and exciting ways of thinking, taking two seemingly opposing disciplines and marrying them together resulting in refreshing designs, and designers.
The college fosters creativity and innovation as being key principles to success in design and has a strong emphasis on both creative and critical thinking. With courses being taught by renowned practicing artists, designers and theorists, RCA provides strong links to the industries in which its graduates will enter.
The College features 20 departments, covering areas of study including Graphic Design, Animation, Photography, Goldsmithing Silversmithing Metalwork and Jewellery Design, Sculpture, Architecture, Vehicle Design, Curating of Contemporary Art, Printmaking, Textile Design, and of course Fashion Design, specialising in both Menswear and Womenswear.
Some of the most notable graduates include fashion darling Phillip Treacy, Christopher Bailey of Burberry, Erdem, Zandra Rhodes, Ossie Clarke, Daniel Kearns of McQueen, Neil Barrett, Nathan Jenden of Diane Von Furstenberg, and John Ray of Gucci. Other celebrated graduates of the RCA include Sir James Dyson, Sir Ridley Scott, Thomas Heatherwick, David Hockney, and Henry Moore. In turn, it is graduate designers and artists who return to the College to recruit the next generation of creative minds.
Within the School of Fashion and Textiles, a philosophy of research, experimentation, innovation, creativity, versatility and individuality forms the driving force to the design process, providing the foundations to nurture the unique burgeoning talents and ideals of design students, with the notion that they will become future leaders to the fashion and textile industries.
At RCA students can pursue specialisations in areas such as knitwear, footwear accessory design, millinery, and mixed media textiles, with a strong emphasis on developing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
The College aims to build on students previous undergraduate studies with a wide reaching curriculum from business skills, concept development, production management, marketing, copyright issues, time management, dyeing and printing, pattern making, garment construction, textile properties and performance, industry trade fairs, and design history.
The Royal College of Arts affords students access to a wide range of technical specialist equipment, including knitting machines, stud presses, specialist sewing machines, computerised hand looms, fusing presses, and embroidery machines. Throughout the course, various fashion shows are held for students to exhibit their designs to the public, prospective employers and potential investors.
Fashion graduates leave the Royal College of Art with a consolidated design identity and sense of aesthetics, as strong communicators with the confidence to work both independently and as part of a design team. They are inspired, aware designers who challenge and influence aesthetics and the concept of fashion, with a high level of professionalism, theoretical knowledge and advanced technical skills.
The Royal College of Art has long produced some of the most talented designers and artists the world has seen, and continues to do so, with a legacy of innovation and creative thinking.
