Introduction

Jewelry & Accessories, with their wealth of meaning and symbol, have long been the unspoken language of people and cultures, fashion and status, magic and ritual, tradition and modernity.

But as the world increasingly comes closer and closer, there is a paradigm shift in the meanings and context of jewelry and other objects of desire. With the change in social fabric, technology, globalization and economics, jewelry has begun to take on newer, more complex associations.

From its earlier concept of being a symbolic ornament or object, jewelry and accessories have dramatically evolved to become an expression, a statement of its wearer’s needs, desires and lifestyle, an object of both aesthetic delight and economic value in the world of art and design.

Within the realm of this contemporary context, jewelry and crafted objects with their diversity in materials, functions, extensions and wearability have undergone a transformation: from mere object to bespoke, from precious to plastic, from a finger band to body sculpture. Jewelry and Accessories are now a new attitude, a way of life.

Pakistan, like their South Asian counterparts, has inherited a rich culture of creativity & skill, in both gold and silver jewelry and craft. Pakistani jewelry and accessories today reflect a unique sense of time and tradition, combined with skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail.

The first of its kind in the country, the Department of Jewelry & Accessory Design at BNU is a platform for integrating contemporary design sensibilities with traditional aesthetic values. We provide a space for highly skilled craftswomen/men, designers and new entrants who aspire to become professional jewelry makers and accessory designers.

The Program aims to encourage, foster and expose the students to a more diverse art and design practice through new research and developments within academic and professional parameters. From multidisciplinary approaches to self-directed studies, students initiate and integrate assimilated knowledge from a diverse range of subjects to arrive at innovative and challenging solutions to previously explored and unexplored notions including new technologies and techniques.

Students are introduced to different ways of approaching, perceiving and appreciating jewelry, craft and accessories through studio and theory components within the course structure. Workshops, Seminars and Field visits help students to source historical and modern contexts through a critical eye. Fundamental knowledge of tools, materials and processes is complemented with development of ideas and concepts, leading to development of wearable and non-wearable portfolios, for the domestic and international market.

Ever since its establishment, The Department of Jewelry & Accessory Design has maintained close contact with reputed organizations and industries, like PCSIR (Pakistan Council for Scientific & Industrial Research, PGJDC (Pakistan Gems and Jewellery Development Corporation), SMEDA and UsAID for collaborative and exchange projects and workshops with the local industry and with foreign consultants that help in giving a professional edge to graduates.

Career Paths

Graduates of the course may pursue careers as :

Jewelry Designer
Jewelry Artist/Studio Jeweler
Silversmith / Goldsmith
Accessory Designer (Fashion, Theatre, Film)
Producer
Retailer
Sales/Marketing Consultants
Gemologist
Entrepreneur
Design Education
Design Consultant

Course Descriptions

Electives and Mandatory Courses

Introduction to Jewelry & Accessory Making

Course code: D-JW 221_Contact time: 6 hours per week_Credits: 3_Studio
The emphasis of this course is on learning basic practical skills and developing ideas. Students learn to translate concepts into creative solutions. Principles and elements of applied design along with metal forming techniques, materials and forms will be introduced.

Design: Explorations & Investigations I, II

Course code: Contact time: 6 hours per week_Credits: 3_Studio
This course will be a core studio class which will define the essential parameters for students pursuing the professional fields of design practice. Its primary focus will be to research & analyze the core principles of Design to conceive and develop integrated design solutions. The Design process will be informed and investigated through each of the following: site and space observation; discovering, recording and representing on paper; translation from a 3D prototype to digital mediums; written and narrative expression- whereby an ‘object’ will transcend its immediate physical nature. The evolution of designed objects and notions of user centered design and ergonomics will underpin fundamental drawing exercises and material studies.

Jewelry & Accessory Design Studio I | Fundamentals

Course code: D-JW 261_Contact time: 12 hours per week_Credits: 6_Studio
This studio-based course forms a foundation for training students in design studies and technical skills. Simple creative exercises are conducted for producing initial design concepts to specific briefs. Studies in materials, product types, basic techniques, weights and measurements and workshop tools and equipment form major components of the course.

Jewelry & Accessory Design Studio II | Intermediate

Course code: D-JW 361_Contact time: 12 hours per week_Credits: 6_Studio
Individual approaches to creative expression are the focus of this course. Students will be exposed to a variety of themes and ways of perceiving body ornamentation and objects. Selected design approaches are translated from concept models to finished forms. Further studies in the following are undertaken: more complex techniques and fabrication processes with varied materials, stone setting, determination of quantities and selection of tools and equipment, time and quality control.

Jewelry & Accessory Design Studio III | Advanced

Course code: D-JW 381_Contact time: 12 hours per week_Credits: 6_Studio The formulation of a personal vision and a self-directed work pattern is emphasized at this stage. The focus is on intensive training in creating pieces for specific markets, themes, materials and price ranges with advanced client presentations and product sampling. Guidance is given in workshop organization and management, and productivity, efficiency and quality control for international markets. Furthermore, students are given exercises to develop collections for identified segments.

Jewelry & Accessory Design Studio IV | Independent Study

Course code: D-JW 461_Contact time: 18 hours per week_Credits: 9_Studio Students are given the freedom to express their individual identity and creative potential through self-directed research and projects Students may focus on previously explored areas specific to their interest and explore them through a multidisciplinary approach.

Jewelry & Accessory Design Studio V | Graduate Collection

Course code: D-JW 481_Contact time: 24 hours per week_Credits: 12_Studio An individual portfolio will be developed under close supervision of tutors and a panel of advisors for the graduate exhibition. Students will undertake writing a proposal focusing on a specific area of interest and develop a body of work on a professional level.

Traditional Practices

Course code: D-JW 482 Contact time: 6 hours per week_Credits: 3_Studio The ancient art of the goldsmith during the mogul period is revived in this course where students learn traditional techniques of handcrafting jewelry and objects. Students work under the supervision of Master craftsmen to aquire skills in the techniques of enamelling, stamping, filigree, repoussage and chasing.

Contemporary Materials & Technologies

Course code: D-JW 483 Contact time: 6 hours per week Credits: 3 _Studio This course focuses on exploring the unconventional and the alternative. Students analyse and apply concepts which transform everyday objects into precious ornaments and meaningful statements . A varied range of materials, mediums, techniques and tools are used. References to other art forms provide a departure point for exploration within the realms of scale, colour, light, sound, form and alternative materials.

CAD for Jewelry & Accessory I, II

Course code: D-JW 222, D-JW 322_Contact time: 6 hours per week Credits: 3 _Studio This subject guides students in how to create and draw accurate and precise designs vital to product standardization. It provides designers with automatic views of jewelry and objects in 3D at different angles for precise editing thereby eliminating errors in product prototypes.

Marketing I, II

Course code: D-HC 450_Contact time: 3 hours per week_Credits: 3_Theory This industry driven course covers topics like promotion, packaging, advertising, trade shows/fairs, channels of distribution and point-of-sale. Using current industry pricing standards, students learn to estimate the cost of their designed pieces. Concepts of business development, financial management, human resource development, company structures and staffing, production planning, partnerships and joint ventures also form part of the course.

Jewelry & Craft Seminar I, II

Course code: B-HC 248, 249_Contact time: 3 hours_Credits: 3_ Theory This seminar provides a historical, cultural and theoretical base for the study of jewellery and accessory design and production. Through a series of thematic lectures, the following issues are studied in detail: the role of the craftsperson, commercial and economic factors, fashions, historical and cultural influences and aesthetic considerations. The course will also inform and engage the students with current issues that concern artists and designers alike. These may include ethics, identity, sustainablility, hybridization and other issues of contemporary discourse and design practice.

Professional Practice

Course code: D-JW 484 _Contact time: 3hrs per week_Credits: 3_Studio/Internship Students work with an organization or industry in order to work alongside professionals in the field of jewellery, fashion, accessory, film, theatre and other related disciplines. They will be supervised by professionals from within the organization as well as members of faculty. Relevant topics concerning the design profession such as copyright, design ethics, exhibiting & photographing work, public and private commissions will be explored.Students are also guided through portfolio building, presentation techniques and employment and entrepreneurial skills.

Enameling Workshop

Realizing the potential for applied coloring & enameling as both an ancient and contemporary jewellery practice, the department of Jewellery & Accessory Design conducted an Enameling workshop for it 3rd, 5th and 7th Semester students, in November 2010 for full fledged one week.
The workshop was supervised and conducted by Fine Arts Graduate Zain-ul-Abideen Kazmi, along with Craftsman Sajid Ali, who had been practicing this technique for self-expression in his recent work, under local craftsmen. Students were introduced to the basic as well as advance enameling techniques and explored it to diverse outcomes through jewellery.

Bahawalpur Trip

Department of Jewellery and Accessory Design BNU initiated and undertook a study and research trip to Bahawalpur for it 3rd and 5th Semester students in December 2010. Known for its oldest and distinguished practice in Silversmitthing, the aim was to gain insight into the respected tradition and skills of Silversmitthing , the art of filigree, chasing and repousse, stretching from Jewellery to Hollowware, which was followed by cultural visit to the city, dominated by 17th and 18th Century Palaces, once owned by the then ruling Nawabs.  Students documented and undertook on spot sketches, to arrive at contemporary conceptual solutions by translating these inspirations into their respective pieces as part of their Jewellery Exam project week.

Some of the highlights were the exotic and cultural sightseeing-Noor Mahal, Sarafa Bazaar, Jamia Masjid,Farid Gate.

Course Outline

* Studio Elective: A studio elective can be any practice based course offered by the Department of Jewelery Design or any other Department within BNU. For example, students may pursue courses such as Textile Design, Photography, Painting etc. Students can take studio electives in consultation with their adviser. Please see a list of studio electives with their descriptions in the separate SVAD and SA prospectus.

Faculty

Associate Professor

Sahr Bashir
M. Des. College of Fine Art, University of New South Wales
Sydney, Australia
B. Des, National College of Arts,
Lahore, Pakistan
Jewelry & Accessory Designer

Assistant Professor

Kirti Shakya
BFA, Kathmandu University, Nepal
Jewelry Designer/Maker

Lecturers

Zil-e-Batool
B.Sc IT, Government College, Lahore
PGD, GATS, Government College University, Lahore
Jewelry Designer

Amina Rizwan
B. Des Jewelry, Beaconhouse National University
Jewelry & Accessory Designer

Madiha Hassan
B. Des Jewelry, Beaconhouse National University
Jewelry Designer

Technical Assistant
Farhan Rafique
Matriculation, CMS, Lahore
Goldsmith

Visiting Faculty

Mohammad Aslam, Jewelry Manufacturer
Masooma Syed , Visual Artist, Jewelry Maker
Saima Rana, Marketing Consultant
Maryam Khan, Jewelry Designer
Amna Sharif, Jewelry Designer
Carla Castiajo, Jewelry maker
Janine Arnold, Jewelry maker
Hina Chowdhry, Jewelry Designer
Meher Imran Daultana, Visual Artist, Jewelry Designer

Adjunct Faculty

Liz Williamson
Nadeem Bashir
Neethi Sethi Bose
Soma Pala Pothapitiye
Peter Chatwin

Academic and Professional Advisors

Mohammad Ali, Aliel
Saleem Hemani, Aliel
Naazish Ataullah, NCA
Shahnaz Ismail, IVS
Sibylle Schempf
Seema Iftikar, Zamana Interiors
Athar ur Rehman Shiekh, Ruby Jewellers
Asad ur Rehman Shiekh, Ruby Jewellers
Alex Monroe
Claudia Martin
Peter Raw
Werner Assman
Jean Claude Michelou, ICA
Mian Jamshed Waheed, J.E. Austin Associates Inc
SMEDA
Sarwat Abdul Razzak, ARY Gold
Matiullah Shiekh, PGJDC
Dr. Shehzad Alam, PCSIR