This year’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design degree show takes place in the year of the grand opening of the V&A, with some 300 talented students preparing to graduate.
For 10 days, the 130-year-old school – that came top in the UK for design for the second year running – transforms into one of the country’s biggest galleries showcasing the fruits of its students’ creative labour.
With the imminent arrival of V&A Dundee it’s hoped that these talented graduates will find they are able to stay within the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design as they enter the world of work.
For dean of DJCAD, Professor Paul Harris, there are personal reasons for 2018 being a landmark year. Having held positions at Edinburgh College of Art, Abertay University and Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, Paul joined DJCAD in 2014. This means the students about to graduate started their courses during his first year.
“This is my proudest year,” Paul smiles. “I greeted them in their first year. l am looking at the degree show with them and then I will be calling their names as they cross the stage to get their degrees.
“One of the pleasures is to see the students come in as first years – I guess, terrified of coming into the art school – and then they graduate four years later with confidence and are able to talk about their work and engage with people.”
Paul always enjoys his first full walk round the show, when he is finally able to experience all the work as it will be seen by the public.
He says: “You walk into a studio which is now an exhibition space and you discover something you think is fantastic – you think ‘nothing’s going to beat that’ then you go next door!
“It’s really exciting and every year it’s different. The DJCAD degree show isn’t derivative – there’s no house style. You don’t know what you’re going to get, or what format it’s going to be in.
“We have some particularly beautiful large-scale paintings this year, which are fabulous in both technique and concept. And some of the design subjects in social digital where you can see in a few years’ time these people are going to be making profound changes to the world that we live in.”
From animation, fine art and jewellery and metal design to textiles, graphic design and architecture, Paul believes there will be something to suit all tastes: “Because there always is.”
He adds: “We’re not a stuffy place. It’s not a cathedral – you don’t have to lower your voice when you enter! We would encourage people to come and find something they like.”
The DJCAD Degree Show 2018 runs from May 19-27
Opening times: Mon – Fri, 10am – 8pm; Sat and Sun, 10am – 4pm. Entry is free.
Visit the degree show website
He adds: “We’re not a stuffy place. It’s not a cathedral – you don’t have to lower your voice when you enter! We would encourage people to come and find something they like.”
- The DJCAD Degree Show 2018 runs from May 19-27
- Opening times: Mon – Fri, 10am – 8pm; Sat and Sun, 10am – 4pm. Entry is free.
- Visit the degree show website
