Summer support sessions for Dissertation!

Are you second year student? Have you been given your dissertation assignment brief? Not sure where to start?

Don't worry!

The Study Zone and Library are running dissertation support sessions this summer, in July and August, to help you feel prepared to do your dissertation research project.

Be Shrewd! Have a Sneaky peak at our new Cunningly Clever Craft books

Critical craft : technology, globalization, and capitalism

306.45

From Oaxacan wood carvings to dessert kitchens in provincial France, Critical Craft presents thirteen ethnographies which examine what defines and makes craft in a wide variety of practices from around the world. Challenging the conventional understanding of craft as a survival, a revival, or something that resists capitalism, the book turns instead to the designers, DIY enthusiasts, traditional artisans, and technical programmers who consider their labor to be craft, in order to comprehend how they make sense of it. The authors ethnographic studies focus on the individuals and communities who claim a practice as their own, bypassing the question of craft survival to ask how and why activities termed craft are mobilized and reproduced. Moving beyond regional studies of heritage artisanship, the authors suggest that ideas of craft are by definition part of a larger cosmopolitan dialogue of power and identity. By paying careful attention to these sometimes conflicting voices, this collection shows that there is great flexibility in terms of which activities are labelled craft. In fact, there are many related ideas of craft and these shape distinct engagements with materials, people, and the economy. Case studies from countries including Mexico, Nigeria, India, Taiwan, the Philippines, and France draw together evidence based on linguistics, microsociology, and participant observation to explore the shifting terrain on which those engaged in craft are operating. What emerges is a fascinating picture which shows how claims about craft are an integral part of contemporary global change.

The creative entrepreneur : business made beautiful for artists, makers and designers

658.11 SEM

Calling all you artists, crafters, makers and designers - you have a gift! You know what makes a great product. Now you need to turn your vision into money. The Creative Entrepreneur is the ultimate guide to building a successful creative business on your terms. It takes you step by step through the process, from the seeds of your idea, giving you the encouragement and confidence to take action and steadily grow your business with intention. It's easier than ever to start your own business, but entrepreneurs - especially creatives - can feel overwhelmed and unsure of the right steps to move their business forward. The Creative Entrepreneur sets you on the right path, taking the stress out of business planning, and offering actionable, straightforward advice that you can refer back to again and again.

The maker movement manifesto : rules for innovation in the new world of crafters, hackers, and tinkerers

658.4063

YOU can create the next breakthrough innovation

A revolution is under way. But it's not about tearing down the old guard. It's about building, it's about creating, it's about breathing life into groundbreaking new ideas. It's called the Maker Movement, and it's changing the world.

Mark Hatch has been at the forefront of the Maker Movement since it began. A cofounder of TechShop--the first, largest, and most popular makerspace--Hatch has seen it all. Average people pay a small fee for access to advanced tools--everything from laser cutters and milling machines to 3D printers and AutoCAD software. All they have to bring is their creativity and some positive energy. Prototypes of new products that would have cost $100,000 in the past have been made in his shop for $1,000.

The Maker Movement is where all the next great inventions and innovations are happening--and you can play a part in it.

The Maker Movement Manifesto takes you deep into the movement. Hatch describes the remarkable technologies and tools now accessible to you and shares stories of how ordinary people have devised extraordinary products, giving rise to successful new business ventures. He explains how economic upheavals are paving the way for individuals to create, innovate, make a fortune--and even drive positive societal change--with nothing more than their own creativity and some hard work.

It's all occurring right now, all around the world--and possibly in your own neighborhood.

The creative spirit lives inside every human being. We are all makers. Whether you're a banker, lawyer, teacher, tradesman, or politician, you can play an important role in the Maker society.

So fire up your imagination, read The Maker Movement Manifesto--and start creating!

The real thing : essays on making in the modern world

709.04 HAR

Over thirty years, Tanya Harrod has written on craft for newspapers, magazines, and journals. As these essays show, there are no boundaries in her vision: art is considered in the light of craft, and craft in the light of art; design is present too – developing and sometimes separating from craft and art. In part these essays document the development of these shifts, looking always at the particular, vivid embodiment. The real thing is a surprising and substantial contribution to the literature of ‘making’.

Ceramics : contemporary artists working in clay

730.1 SIN

Contemporary artists around the world are turning to clay to shape their most innovative ideas into stunning works of art. These objects often have a practical function, but they also stand alone as conceptual artworks. Ceramics showcases approximately 30 contemporary artists whose work represents the radical transformation that this age-old medium has undergone in recent years. Imagine cups shaped like sea urchins, teapots that look like tissue paper, a terracotta typewriter. This volume is a vital guide to some of today s most exciting contemporary artists working in clay. Featuring the work of: Kjersti Johanne Barli (Norway); Laura Bird (Wales, United Kingdom); Stephen Bird (Australia); Kaye Blegvad (England, United Kingdom); Leah Goren (United States); Charlotte Hodes (England, United Kingdom); Julia Huteau (France); Rami Kim (Korea); Alex Sickling (England, United Kingdom); Brett Freund (United States); Emilie Halpren (United States); Ruan Hoffman (The Netherlands); Makoto Kagoshima (Japan); Courtney Reagor (United States); Tania Rollond (Australia); Renaud SauvE (Canada); Michelle Summers (United States); Eleonor BostrOm (United States); Nathalie Choux (France); Laurent Dufour (France); Ildiko Muresan and Flavia Marele (Romania); Laura Lasheras (Spain); Clair Loder (England, United Kingdom); Margaret Meehan (United States); Eun-Ha Paek (United States); Bonnie; Marie Smith (United States); Vipoo Srivilasa (Australia); Sarah Burwash (Canada); Jessica Hans (United States); Katy Krantz (United States); Maria Kristofersson (Sweden); Jennie Jieun Lee (United States); Rebekah Miles (United States); Joanna Powell (United States)

The great pottery throw down

738 WIL

The official companion to the BBC2 series The Great Pottery Throw Down. This vibrant illustrated book is the perfect companion for pottery enthusiasts and newcomers alike, offering a complete introduction to the world of ceramics. A compelling narrative takes readers on a fascinating journey through ceramic history, culture, art, craft and manufacture. Learn fascinating details about the materials, processes and skills involved, from throwing the perfect pot, to magical transformations in the kiln. Witness how the history of pottery charts the evolution of mankind, from ancient terracotta warriors to your coffee mug on the breakfast table. Be inspired by human creativity and craftsmanship, with tales of dynasties, scandals, industrialists, trailblazers, manufacturing moguls and artists. Showcased along the way is a range of beautiful pottery, from prehistoric clay figurines, to Meissen porcelain, and work by contemporary practitioners such as Grayson Perry, Antony Gormley and Edmund de Waal. Striking photographs and illustrations of techniques, work processes and finished pieces bring the artform and its rich heritage to life on the page.

Live form : women, ceramics, and community

738.09252 SOR

Ceramics had a far-reaching impact in the second half of the twentieth century, as its artists worked through the same ideas regarding abstraction and form as those for other creative mediums. Live Form shines new light on the relation of ceramics to the artistic avant-garde by looking at the central role of women in the field: potters who popularized ceramics as they worked with or taught male counterparts like John Cage, Peter Voulkos, and Ken Price. Sorkin focuses on three Americans who promoted ceramics as an advanced artistic medium: Marguerite Wildenhain, a Bauhaus-trained potter and writer; Mary Caroline (M. C.) Richards, who renounced formalism at Black Mountain College to pursue new performative methods; and Susan Peterson, best known for her live throwing demonstrations on public television. Together, these women pioneered a hands-on teaching style and led educational and therapeutic activities for war veterans, students, the elderly, and many others. Far from being an isolated field, ceramics offered a sense of community and social engagement, which, Sorkin argues, crucially set the stage for later participatory forms of art and feminist collectivism.

Handmade in Britain

745.0941 NOR

This important book forms part of the Handmade in Britain partnership between the V&A and the BBC. Published as the culmination of a year-long season of programming over three series, it explores the history of making in Britain, looking across all media within the decorative arts. Handmade in Britain expands on the programmes, featuring key objects and makers in the V&A's collection as well as contributions from contemporary practitioners. It traces Britain's status as an unsophisticated importer of luxury Renaissance goods, to becoming one of the leading worldwide exporters of decorative arts by the end of the nineteenth century, and discusses present-day making - particularly the relationship between industrialized and craft-based processes and practice. It also shows how the history of making in Britain is not a London-centric story, but one of regional centres across the country often suited to different manufacturers for specific reasons. Like the programmes, the book takes each tradition in turn, looking at ceramics, metalwork, wood, textiles and stained glass.

Objects of desire : a showcase of modern erotic products and the creative minds behind them

745.4 ORR

The world of erotic product design is revealed in this curated showcase of over 100 beautifully crafted objects and the creative minds behind them. The latest adult toys, jewelry, and accessories from leading companies, as well as intriguing prototypes, are featured. Each product, from high-tech gadgets to handcrafted pieces of art, is presented with concise descriptions in a minimal graphic format that emphasizes the flowing curves, materiality, and overall design of the products. Once taboo, sex toys are in the midst of a design revolution. Including a foreword by Sarah Forbes, curator at New York City’s Museum of Sex, and in-depth interviews with leading sex bloggers, shop owners, and designers, the book will appeal to both fans of good design as well as “lovers” of good design interested in acquiring these pieces for their own collections.

The craft companion

745.5 BAR

Once the domain of the domestic, craft has now infiltrated every creative sphere – including food, fashion, fine art and architecture. If this craft renaissance is indicative of a new wave of keen creatives, then The Craft Companion is the ultimate guide to navigating the new craft frontiers. From appliqué and baskets to weaving and zakka, The Craft Companion features over 30 new and old crafting techniques. Each chapter includes a short historical overview of the craft, with design notes and explanations of key techniques helping beginners to get started. Tools and methods are explored through a combination of hand-drawn illustrations and photography. A range of project ideas, including one basic project for each craft and a further Top 5 selection, will kickstart the reader’s creativity, while examples of inspirational work from contemporary artisans display the possibilities of each medium.
With over 20 years in the craft and design industries, Ramona Barry and Rebecca Jobson are bona fide craft gurus. Readers will love Ramona and Rebecca’s witty voice and will be inspired to experiment and dip their toes into new crafts.

Contemporary British crafts : the Goodison gift to the Fitzwilliam museum

745.50941 GAM

The remarkable gift of contemporary crafts bestowed on the Fitzwilliam Museum by Nicholas and Judith Goodison is the subject of this highly illustrated book. Built up over two decades, it numbers over 120 outstanding examples of contemporary ceramics, glass, furniture, woodwork, metalwork and jewellery by artists such as Martin Smith, Philip Eglin, Anna Dickinson, David Reekie, Alan Peters, David Poston, Adam Paxon and John Makepeace. The book contains a conversation between the editor and Nicholas Goodision, a fully illustrated catalogue, and a glossary of materials and techniques. It tells us much about the craft world and is a record of skill, great beauty and elegance of design.

Art and Craft Photography: How to Photograph Your Own Work. Pottery, Sculpture, Jewelery, Glass, Paintings

778.935 GRI

This book tells you how to photograph your own work. “Art and craft photography” by Brian Griffiths is a “must have for any serious 3D and 2D professional artist. This book shows you how, in easily understandable language, to take amazingly professional images of your work; pottery, sculpture, jewellery, glass and paintings, you can produce studio quality pictures at home with no special equipment, just an ordinary digital camera and lamps from around the house. Suitable for complete beginners.
Top quality images are essential to sell, promote, and publicise your work, but employing a photographer is costly and time consuming. Learning how to do it yourself is surprisingly simple and easy. Brian is a professional photographer and runs many courses on photography for complete beginners to more advanced classes. In this book you will be guided through the basics from a to z: ; including choosing equipment, the best camera to use, camera settings, how to get the best out of your camera, exposure – how to get great shots every time, the studio set up, how to use ordinary lamps from around the house to light your work and take the photo, basic editing using Photoshop and how to use your image on the web, social media and print.

Fashion and textile business entrepreneurship : with information directory : the definitive guide for fashion and textile entrepreneurs, artists, designers, lecturers, teachers, craftsmen, students, fashion and textile enthusiasts.

391.0047 BRO

Starting your own business and working for yourself is without doubt very challenging. It may mean forfeiting a stable income, job security, or it may be a case of wanting to take greater control of your life rather than life taking control of you. Fashion and Textile Business Entrepreneurship is an easy to read guide that is comprehensive in providing valuable information, profiles, interviews, references and practical tips relating to entrepreneurship in the Fashion and Textile industry. This book guides you step by step through the process of setting up your own venture, from starting up and marketing, to establishing and expanding your business. Features include profiles, quotes and interviews with many successful designers and business entrepreneurs, providing professional insights into their careers and success. In addition, this book includes the Fashion and Textile Information Directory providing a wealth of information and contacts listing over 1000 entries: • Business Advisory and Support Services • Exhibition Organisers • Fashion and Textile Exhibitions and Trade Fairs • Grants, Awards, Finance and Funding Opportunities • Legal Support; Museums, Research Centres, Collections and Galleries • Organisations, Guilds, Networks and Associations • Recruitment Agencies • Trend Forecasting Services and Consultancies. Written for entrepreneurs, artists, designers and fashion and textile enthusiasts, it will also be a useful reference for graduates, students, lecturers, teachers, careers and business advisors.

So what will you be reading over Reading Week?

So here you are with two whole weeks to devote to reading! 

As any Librarian will tell you -

What a Joyful Prospect - 

TWO WHOLE WEEKS TO JUST READ

and this is meant to be work!

Well, that's all well and good, but what are you going to be reading?  and do you know where to find it?

If you have your Books, Articles & 

On-Line resources all ready to go; that's great! 

Curl up in a corner with your 

source material, a cup of tea & enjoy. 

But if you are still deciding on what areas to explore for your practice, or maybe to give a little thought or two as to what might be a great subject to explore for your Final Year Dissertation, then maybe the Library can help.

This week the Library will be hosting it's regular 

Reading Week Information Retrieval Sessions. 

Or to put it another way

How to easily find really relevant 

Books & Articles and On-Line Stuff!

So to make sure you have got the 

Right Things to Read during Reading Week, 

Come along to one of the Library's Reading Week Sessions 

and have the Librarian's tricks of the trade revealed.

Sessions commence at 10am and 2pm.

Wednesday 10th of Feb - Secrets of successful searching. 

This session explores how to start the whole process off. You might have a rough idea of what it is you want to find out about, but you haven't really decided on what exactly that is. Secrets of Successful Searching will provide you with the key to setting up an successful search strategy. The benefits of this is that you will avoid spending a lot of time going round in circles, and be able to focus on what it is you actually want to find out about. 

Thursday 11th Feb - On-line resources (from Art source to WGSN). 

As well as the Library's collections of physical resources (Books, Journals, DVD's & Games). The Library has a range of on-line resources to compliment it's collections. These includes a range of databases providing access to millions of journal articles, a Picture Library, e-books and a Trend Forecasting website, primarily aimed at the fashion industry, but with obvious crossovers towards other creative industries. If you want to find out how to Access, Search & Retrieve relevant information from these services, this workshop is for you!

Friday 12th Feb - Harvard Referencing 

Now that you have your hands on all this wonderful research material, it's important for you to be able to reference it properly if you go on to use it in essay or even dissertation work. It's not a bad idea to get to grips with Harvard References from the get go, so come along to the Friday Session and have the secrets of Harvard revealed.

Behind the Library Counter

Current Library Projects just to make life a little easier for you to find what you are looking for. 

 Current Dissertations held by the Library

Examples of previous years’ 1^st Class Dissertations are available in the Library, both in hard copy format and on-line. The Printed copies are kept at the back of the Library.

Please ask at the Library Counter if you need help locating the on-line copies, which is currently displayed as a drop down List on the Library Home Page under The Collections tab, or can be found HERE

Emily is currently working on updating this list, which will make it easier to locate the Dissertation you are looking for. We are also adding to the current collection of dissertations, by adding more recent years to the set. As soon as The Dissertation Collection goes live, we will let you know.

  

Reading Lists

In addition to the work taking place on improving the Dissertation list , work has been undertaken to improve the way to find the Key Texts as cited on your course's Reading List.

To make finding key texts for your course easier, the library is in the process of creating a new web page, at the moment Donna has completed CommercialPhotography and Animation. Each page contains a image of the book cover (so you know what you are looking for) and also each book is linked to the Library's catalogue record. This will tell you if the book is available to borrow. If it is out on loan you will then be able to place a reservation for the book, so that when the book is returned it will be placed on the Hold shelf for you to collect. A e-mail will let you know that it's ready for collection. If you need help, please do ask at the Library Counter.

In addition, the On-line reading list also provides the Harvard reference for the book in the college's style. We aim to complete the rest of the course asap.

Journals

A complete listing of the Library’s Journal holdings is given here and arranged in alphabetical order by title.  As well as showing what the Library holdings are of the physical copies, links to the Journal’s website are also given. A link is also given if the Journal is available on-line (Abstract/Full Text). If you need help in searching the Journal Database please ask at the Library Counter.

Inter-Library Loans

The inter-library loan service enables you to request items that are not held at Plymouth College of Art library. Before you make a request, can you check and see if the book is held within the library, or locally. The library team will do their utmost to locate the item, this will include internet searching, attempting to find the item within the region, or using the British library.

For full details of this service please visit the Library's Inter- Library Loans page.

If you have any ideas or suggestions on how we could improve the Library Service for you, please email us at: library@pca.ac.uk

That Dissertation Time of Year

 Don’t Panic - Help is at Hand

It’s a busy time in the Library with lots of last minute dissertation work taking place. If you need a quiet place to work and gather your thoughts, remember that the Quiet Study Room (0.8) is available and is located within the Library itself.

If you need advice with writing your dissertation or any other learning support, remember that the Study Zone Drop in Centre is located at the back of the Library. To book a session with Rachel, please ask in the Student Hub.

Don’t forget that Donna can provide advice on Harvard referencing queries (You can also find the on line version of the Harvard Referencing Guide on the Library Home Page). 

Hard copies of the Guide are available from the Library Counter.

If you need assistance with subject research, please ask Allie.

Dissertations

Examples of previous years’ 1^st Class Dissertations are available in the Library, both in hard copy format and on-line. The Printed copies are kept at the back of the Library. Please ask at the Library Counter if you need help locating the on-line copies, which is currently displayed as a drop down List.  

Emily is currently working on updating this list, which will make it easier to locate the Dissertation you are looking for. We are also adding to the current collection of dissertations, by adding more recent years to the set.

Binding your Work

Once you have your dissertation complete, you will need to get it bound before submitting it The shop offers a binding service which costs £3 per document. Turn-around time is normally about an hour, although this may take longer during busy times.

Before submitting your work for binding, please check that the pages are in the correct order and right way up. The Deadline for binding Dissertations is 3pm on January the 29^th. However it is advisable not to leave it until the last minute.

The Library wishes you every Success!

For the Love of Trees

Photographing trees

Edward Parker.

778.934 PAR 

With examples from around the world, renowned wildlife photographer Edward Parker reveals the skills and techniques needed to improve your photographs with little or no adjustments to the automatic settings or those which you are comfortable using. The first part of the book explains how the brain perceives an image and how to use this to produce great photos through better composition, better use of light and conscious use of foreground and background. For more advanced photographers, Parker then explains techniques on how to take control of the camera though understanding exposure, focus, aperture, shutter speed, and using flash. The final part of the book looks at the many way in which trees can be photographed, putting all of this into practice, illustrated by stunning images from around the world along with anecdotes on how they were captured.

Trees up close : the beauty of bark, leaves, flowers, and seeds

Nancy Ross Hugo ; photography by Robert Llewellyn.

582.16 HUG  

Robert Llewellyn's stunning photographs reveal the intricate detail of trees as you've never seen them before. Nancy Ross Hugo's text illuminates the photographs by explaining the unique characteristics of everyday trees. Together, they celebrate the rich variety of popular trees and offer us a new perspective on our favourites. This is a fantastic gift for gardeners in a compact paperback format. It is perfect for both amateur naturalists and keen photographers. It offers informative and in-depth profiles of trees from an expert author.

Learn a Language in the Library

Learn a language with Paul Noble

The language guru everyone is talking about - Paul Noble will revolutionise the way you learn language. No textbooks, no rote memorisation, no chance of failure.

For all those who have struggled to learn Spanish, German or French in the past. For all those who think they're just not a linguist. For all those who don't have the time - or the inclination - to sit and study a textbook. This is your chance to have a one-to-one lesson from Paul and his native-speaking experts.

 

Each course includes: * 12 CDs holding over 13 hours of audio * an 80-page booklet * a DVD demonstrating Paul's method.

Learn Spanish with Paul Noble 463 NOB

This course offers European Spanish and Latin American Spanish. Download the course to your MP3 player and within a few hours you will have learned over 6,000 Spanish words. Importantly, you will also know how to make your new vocabulary work for you. No set phrases, no lists of vocabulary. Just real Spanish at your fingertips.

Learn German with Paul Noble 433 NOB

For all those who have struggled to learn German in the past. Download the course to your MP3 player and within a few hours you will have learned over 6,000 German words. Importantly, you will also know how to make your new vocabulary work for you. No set phrases, no lists of vocabulary. Just real German at your fingertips.

Learn French with Paul Noble 443 NOB

For all those who have struggled to learn French in the past. Download the course to your MP3 player and within a few hours you will have learned over 6,000 French words. Importantly, you will also know how to make your new vocabulary work for you. No set phrases, no lists of vocabulary. Just real French at your fingertips.

New (ish) items on, and about making, beautiful 'stuff'

Benton, Tracey. (2013) Craftydermy. London: Cicada Books.

Bonner, Natalia. (2012) Beginner's guide to free motion quilting. Concord, Calif: Stash.

Dixon, Tom. (2013) Dixonary : illuminations, revelations and post-rationalizations from a chaotic mind. London: Violette Editions. - British designer discusses where he finds his inspiration.

Dupon, Olivier. (2012) The new jewelers : desirable, collectible, contemporary. London: Thames & Hudson.

Evelegh, Tessa. (2013) The great British sewing bee. London: Quadrille.

Hall, Jane. E. (2012) The art of embroidered butterflies. Tunbridge Wells: Search.

Impey, Sara. (2013) Text in textile art. London: Batsford

Ineson, Pauline. (2012) Floral dimensions : 20 Stunning 3D flowers to machine applique. Newton Abbot: David & Charles.

Books on making, or celebrating, 'stuff'

Click on title to check availability.

Bloomfield, L. (2013) Contemporary tableware. London: Bloomsbury.

Federer, F. (2012) Gold leaf, paint and glass. London: Thomas Publications.

Haab, S. (2011) Art of resin clay : techniques and projects for creating jewelry and decorative objects. New York: Potter Craft

Hunter, Sherri Warner. (2012) Creative concrete ornaments for the garden : making pots, planters, birdbaths, sculpture and more. Asheville: Lark Crafts.

MacDonald, J. (2009) Jewellery from recycled materials. London: A&C Black.