Purpose

Mission: “Vancouver Community College’s unique two-year diploma program offers hands-on technical, design, and career training for students aiming to enter the jewellery profession.”

Vision: “VCC Jewellery Art & Design seeks to guide students to a life of creativity, technical excellence, and career success in the jewellery field.”

A career in jewellery requires a combination of technical skill, creativity, knowledge of materials and process, business skills, design capabilities and critical thinking. Through this program, which can be completed through two years of full-time study or part-time over up to five years, students will acquire the skills to work as bench  goldsmiths, independent artisans, or jewellery artists.

Duration

There are two options for achieving a credential in this program:

1. Full-time option: Students attend classes full time for two years. Students whose studies are interrupted must complete the program within five years.
2. Part-time option: Students attend the first term full-time, and then complete the rest of the courses part-time over the course of several years up to a maximum of five years.

Students who complete all courses in Term 1 and Term 2 may choose to exit the program with a Certificate in Jewellery Art & Design. Students may return to complete the Diploma at a later date if a seat is available. All courses must be completed within a five year period to receive the Diploma. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Actualize original design ideas from concept to reality

2. Demonstrate technical excellence to produce jewellery to current industry standards

3. Apply basic knowledge of gemmology and metallurgy to the creation of jewellery

4. Design and produce jewellery using the latest digital technologies

5. Communicate ideas using a variety of visual media

6. Demonstrate visual awareness of craft, art, and design

7. Apply knowledge of the jewellery field to establish a viable home- or studio-based business

8. Communicate effectively using the language and vocabulary of the jewellery field

9. Place the meanings and functions of jewellery within diverse historical and cultural contexts

10. Utilize materials, tools and equipment safely, sustainably and ethically

11. Recognize the contributions of Indigenous peoples to the fields of art, craft, and design

12. Identify and solve problems creatively and independently

13. Demonstrate professionalism in all areas of their career and education

14. Analyze and evaluate the quality of their own technique and skills development

Admission Requirements

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 offered 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.

Program Requirements

Plan of Study Grid

Term One		Credits
JADE 1120	Metal Techniques 1	12
JADE 1121	Drawing 1	1.5
JADE 1122	History&Culture of Jewellery 1	1.5
	Credits	15
Term Two
JADE 1123	Metal Techniques 2: 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&Culture of Jewellery 2	1.5
JADE 2220	Metal Techniques 3	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	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	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.

Evaluation of Student Learning

Student learning is evaluated in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, presentations, individual and group projects, exams, research, assignments, lab work and portfolios.  Students will also engage in peer- and self-assessment and reflective practice.

Students must achieve a minimum grade of C (61%) to successfully complete each course.

90% attendance is mandatory to successfully complete each course.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)

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

Transcript of Achievement

The evaluation of learning outcomes for each student is prepared by the instructor and reported to the Student Records Department at the completion of semesters.

The transcript typically shows a letter grade for each course. The grade point equivalent for a course is obtained from letter grades as follows:

Grading Standard

Transcript of Achievement

Grade	Percentage	Description	Grade Point Equivalency
A+	96-100		4.33
A	91-95		4.00
A-	86-90		3.67
B+	81-85		3.33
B	76-80		3.00
B-	71-75		2.67
C+	66-70		2.33
C	61-65		2.00
C-	56-60		1.67
D	50-55		1.00
F	0-49	Failing Grade	0.00
S	70 or greater	Satisfactory – student has met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
U		Unsatisfactory – student has not met and mastered a clearly defined body of skills and performances to required standards	N/A
I		Incomplete	N/A
IP		Course in Progress	N/A
W		Withdrawal	N/A
Course Standings
R		Audit. No Credit	N/A
EX		Exempt. Credit Granted	N/A
TC		Transfer Credit	N/A

Grade Point Average (GPA)

1. The course grade points shall be calculated as the product of the course credit value and the grade value.
2. The GPA shall be calculated by dividing the total number of achieved course grade points by the total number of assigned course credit values. This cumulative GPA shall be determined and stated on the Transcript at the end of each Program level or semester.
3. Grades shall be assigned to repeated courses in the same manner as courses taken only once. For the purpose of GPA calculation of grades for repeated courses, they will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.