School of Art - University Electives, Semester 2, 2023

Your program requires you to complete courses from a list of University Elective options.  These courses can be from anywhere in the University, or from within the School of Art.  To choose your elective please visit the University Electives site. We have listed Semester 2 School electives below for your reference. Please note that offerings can be subject to change.

Enrolments open on the 1st October 2022. To add an university elective in Enrolment Online, choose the relevant term, select 'Add classes', then 'Class Search' tab, and search for the subject area, name or course code of the course you are interested in. These are first in, first served with space in the course.

For more information about a course, please contact the Studio Lead of the offering studio.

Please note: although we would like to offer all of the courses below, courses are subject to viability and may not run if numbers are too low.

Course Information

Offering Studio & Studio Lead

Semester 2 - University Electives

VART3473  3D Printed Objects
VART1704 Alternative Photographic Processes
VART3511  Art and Photography
VART3480  Artist's Books
VART3514  Ceramic Fundamentals
VART3627 Creative practice in place: Working on unceded lands (intensive)
VART1325  Drawing Elective
VART3510  Internship
VART1221  Lithography: From Drawing to Print
VART1316  Painting Elective
VART3590 Photography 101
VART1398  Sculpture Elective
VART3464  Video Art

Semester 2 - University Electives

In this course, you will explore and experience a range of materials and processes using digital manufacturing techniques and CAD modelling software to build jewellery and objects. Digital manufacturing processes covered will include object printing and use a variety of outsourced and in house printing including Form labs printing. CAD modelling will focus on learning basic to advanced Rhino software. This course will be delivered by artists who use digital technology and printed artefacts in their own work through face-to-face classes. 

Please find link to the course guide. 

This course introduces you to the beginnings of Photography to the present day. You will examine the early photographers exploring the chemical and physical phenomena that define the medium of photography. You will also explore the techniques, processes, history, and cultural connections that are such a significant part of photography. The studio will be presented through a variety of activities including workshops, darkroom, experimentation, lectures, critical analysis, discussion, practice, presentation and reflection. 

Please find link to the course guide.

In this course you will investigate how photography functions within a fine art context. This is investigated through an overview of historical and contemporary photographic ideas and practice. You will be exposed to a diverse range of significant local and international artists who draw upon a variety of photographic technologies in their practice, and investigate the language of photography and how it informs fine art photographic image making. The course provides you with opportunities to respond to lectures and explore ways of processing and articulating your own ideas with traditional and experimental photographic techniques. Class activities aim to engage you in applying photographic discourse to your contemporary art practice.

Please find link to the course guide. 

This course will be delivered entirely online. Classes will consist of lectures as well as live and pre-recorded demonstrations, workshops, peer-to-peer learning, individual tutorials and independent study. You will be introduced to a range of bookbinding techniques from simple folded zines through to stab binding and multiple-signature hard cover binding. Projects are designed to develop your technical skills and also to expand your understanding of the possibilities for the book as a vehicle for artistic expression. As such, each project will require you to develop content for your book and consider its relationship to the construction of your book.  

Please find link to the course guide.

In this course you will explore and experiment with the physical properties of materials and develop fundamental skills in the making of objects through ceramic methods. You will also address conceptual and technical concerns related to the making of objects. This course helps you understand the relationships between idea, concept, form and material as you begin to develop an individual approach to your art practice. 

Students will be issued a materials list prior to semester start. 

Please find link to the course guide.

This course invites you to develop a reflective relationship to the knowledge systems of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The course takes a practice-based approach to learning and will actively involve you in thinking about, questioning and exploring a range of responses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' ways of knowing, being and doing as critical knowledge systems.

A focus on your own subject position and relationship with First Peoples’ sovereignty will be vital in forming a personal response and considering the broader implications of the conceptual frameworks for your creative practice.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of creative practice in relation to place, culture and history on unceded land.
2. Critically reflect on and evaluate assumptions, biases and methods in your creative practice in response to your location, situation and relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodianship.
3. Through creative practice locate and situate yourself in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems.

The course will be delivered collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and will include a range of activities including workshops, demonstrations, practical activities, fieldtrips, tutorials, lectures and group discussions.

You will engage in a range of learning activities that explore creative methods for developing an understanding of First Nations perspectives, world views and lifeways as important knowledge systems.

This course is running under the flexible term. To add a Flexible Term Course in Enrolment Online, choose the 'Additional Term' UGRD flexible term 2023 tab, select 'add classes', then 'class search'.

In this elective course you will learn studio skills and competency in drawing the figure. You will explore the methods, materials, and concepts concerning perceptual drawing. These range across the application of appropriate materials in a range of drawing modes and studio settings; perspective and non­perspective approaches to visual representation; proportion, form, weight and volume; figure/ground relationships; positive/negative space; use of props and backdrops; details of head, feet, hands; depiction of movement; serial and sequential works. Your learning will develop across four thematic Modules culminating in a self-developed project. 

Please find link to the course guide.  

In this course, you will participate in an internship or artist in residence program in an arts, photographic or cultural organisation, company, festival, commercial industry, gallery, museum or studio, through dual negotiation with the industry and School. You will be expected to work as directed by the host organisation, to address and solve real-world issues in an arts industry workplace environment. 
 
This is a Work Integrated Learning course designed to facilitate a practical working relationship between you and selected arts and cultural organizations. 

More information about RMIT’s Work Integrated Learning can be found here: http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/careerstoolkit/welcome?destination=node/1 

Please find link to the course guide.

Through practical workshops this course introduces and explores a range of processes and techniques of lithography as a medium for drawing. Line and wash techniques will be developed over a series of projects. This elective provides an introduction to lithographic skills processes, such as, preparing a stone, drawing on a stone, processing the stone with adding and subtracting to your image as well as providing ongoing students with an opportunity to extend existing skills. You will gain an understanding of safe handling of materials and processes within the lithography studio, and how to apply these to the visual expression of conceptual principles.

Please find link to the course guide.

This elective will give you an elementary understanding of the concepts and materials and contexts used in the production of paintings. You will be encouraged to experiment with and respond to materials; develop an awareness of visual perception and intuitive sensibilities; and see painting as a self-reflexive ongoing practice, which may link to your major area of study.
You will extend your knowledge regarding Painting through experimentation with different painting supports; preparation of grounds; various painting media; colour mixing; colour theory; compositional and spatial considerations. Studio based learning via projects and instruction sessions where you will be producing paintings, drawings and collages. There will be individual consultations with the lecturer involving feedback and appraisal on exercises and self-directed projects where appropriate.
Advanced projects are negotiated with students with a greater experience in the subject. The course is supported by individual visual research, including the production of a visual diary. Group tutorials, critiques, demonstrations, student presentations and gallery visits. Methods of Production, Health and Safety will be experienced.

Please find link to the course guide.

The course approaches the medium of photography as modes of communication, art and creative technical skills. In studying this course you will be shown how photography has developed throughout its history and its theoretical contexts. We will discuss how our growing understanding of the principles of human perception and communication has influenced photography. You will be introduced to basic principles of the camera and you will also be provided with techniques for responding to the content and structure of photographs.  You will gain a visual literary on how images are created, presented and read across a wide genre of photographic fields. This course will provide you with the opportunity to examine and establish professional image capture workflows using a digital SLR and/or interchangeable lens camera. You will develop skills in how to control image craft, edit images and present them to communicate ideas and concepts.

Please find link to the course guide. 

This course is designed to introduce students to the traditions of sculpture within the framework of current art practice and to develop sculptural values and competence in the use of materials and techniques. In this course you will develop a greater understanding of sculptural concepts and materials through the development of your personal art practice through experimental object making. Students will be introduced to a range of skills including modelling, construction and assemblage using simple sculptural materials through studio teaching. 

Please find link to the course guide.

In this course you will examine technical, historical and theoretical aspects of video art practice. The course encourages you to develop a critical dialogue between your practice and the history of video art, as they relate to installation and screening-based modes of exhibition. Through a series of exercises and a program of integrated screenings, class discussions and gallery visits, the practical demands of video production will be contextualised. You will develop capacities in the processes of video technology and production relevant to your studio practice. The material covered reflects the breadth of moving image production and draws upon examples from cinema, television, video art and examples of video technology in the home, work and public arena. 

Please find link to the course guide.