Jewellery

Jewellery is an independent medium in applied art, and has very specific visual possibilities.
In the Jewellery Department, research is conducted into the potential and the scope of jewellery as a medium, with the goal of innovation and furthering development. The open approach to the discipline allows for an autonomous method for the creation of jewellery, whereby the jewellery designer’s viewpoint and the content of the work determine a position within the discipline. It is also possible to place greater emphasis on the design aspects of working with jewellery and to approach it as a product, or to work with objects that have a personal nature similar to that of jewellery.
The department’s programme includes various means of approaching the profession and diverse working methods. The accent is on the student’s individual research, which is geared towards the development of a personal approach to his or her subject matter. The student learns to give form to his own themes. This requires experimentation and an open and methodical way of working.
The course is not limited to particular materials and the student’s research may be expressed by means of various media, both in 3D and in 2D. The student will learn to work with various materials and techniques, as well as gaining basic knowledge about the traditional field of work. During the first year and for part of the second specialist year, the student works primarily within the framework of assignments in order to gain substantive, formal and technical experience. During the graduation year, the student realises a concept of his or her own choice, which is then exhibited in public in order to evaluate its visual, philosophical and technical merits.
The students who join the department are expected to display an independent and mature attitude towards their studies.
The multidisciplinary team of instructors supervise the students and organise the curriculum. This programme is augmented by information from the world of the visual arts, architecture, film, fashion and design. It is deemed important that the student learns during the course of his studies to present, clarify and to defend his work.

Courses offered

Subject-related and technical supervision, visual research, 3D design, progress discussions (individually and in groups), techniques, workshops, guest lessons and lectures, draughtsmanship, preparation for professional practice, group projects and presentations.

Study structure

First specialisation year

During the first specialisation year, you will primarily work on the basis of assignments, helping you to gain substantive, formal and technical experience.

Second specialisation year

During the second year, you will continue to work mainly on the basis of assignments. You will learn to understand the various views on the discipline, and you will be taught about the different methods of working.

Third specialisation year

In the third specialisation year, you will work towards the final examination. In addition to the visual work, the final examination will include a thesis. The examination will be concluded with a large exhibition by all of the Rietveld’s departments, held in the academy at the end of June, which will be open to the public.

See all Jewellery projects

Projects

While studying in the Jewellery Design department, you will regularly have the opportunity to display your work to the public, for example at a presentation, an exhibition, a school presentation, an open day or a symposium.

Theory

Visiting lectures of the Studium Generale is compulsory in the first specialisation year of the Jewellery Design programme. It is elective in the second and third year. The Studium Generale provides a general theoretical context concerning current themes in the contemporary international art world. The Studium Generale brings in prominent speakers from the Netherlands and abroad to give lectures. For more information, see Studium Generale

Work placement and exchange

A work placement at the end of the second specialisation year or the beginning of the third year is a compulsory part of the programme. Students may take part in exchange programmes during the second specialisation year, but this is not compulsory.