Short Courses

Quick-Fire Five with Oliver Reed, Art & Design Course Organiser

Oliver Reed gives us the inside scoop on our Short Courses Summer Edit Art & Design courses

Picture of Oliver Reed, Course Organiser. Art & Design

Have you always wanted to learn a new skill in the realm of Art &  Design, or perhaps you'd like to further develop your creative talents?

Join us this summer at the Centre for Open Learning where we're offering 18 different courses throughout July and August.

From one-day workshops to five-day classes across photography, filmmaking, drawing and painting and digital media (to name a few!), our summer courses offer a specialised, hands-on approach in a friendly learning environment. 

Intrigued? We sat down with Art & Design Course Organiser, Oliver Reed, to give you this summer's artistic lowdown.

 

1. What makes the Art & Design Summer Edit stand out? Are there any particular highlights?

The Art & Design Summer Edit programme offers a rich and varied range of bespoke courses. During our one-to-five-day courses you can become absorbed in the world of Pinhole photography, learn how to use storytelling and creative writing to make children’s picture books, or work outdoors to draw the Edinburgh Festival as it happens!  You can even explore the fundamentals of Filmmaking and make your own film, learn the basic techniques of printmaking or explore 'Art History In Practice' by discovering the techniques and processes of the works by Bridget Riley.

 

2. What do you think are the main benefits of taking an Art & Design class? What new skills will students learn?

By taking and an Art & Design course, students are engaged in the physical act of making, which is thought to be beneficial to our health and wellbeing. It can stimulate memories and trigger associations, activating abstract ideas and enabling us to communicate in another language or to allow us to “think outside the box” for example. Whether you are taking a class for the first time or not, you will have the opportunity to learn and develop your knowledge, new skills, processes and technique, but you may also learn a bit about yourself, about how you view and engage with the world around you.

 

3. Who are the courses suitable for?

Our courses are open to all abilities of people over 16, whether you haven’t drawn since you left school or interested in learning a new skill or technique, or you are someone who already feels they have a knowledge and practice within the arts, but are now looking to try something new to aid and develop their practice. Our tutors have the skills to work with a mixed group of ages and abilities yet focus on the individual’s needs and requirements.

 

4. What can students expect from their course tutors?

Our tutors are experts in their own fields and have an in-depth knowledge of the subject they teach. Being approachable and down-to-earth is key  tutors aim to build a rapport with their students so any specialist language used is tailored to the level, individual and group as a whole. Tutors want their students to be challenged (yet learn new techniques and skills) and are passionate about sharing their knowledge as well as helping students to develop their ideas and watch them flourish.

 

5. What’s your favourite thing about Edinburgh in the summertime?

The city comes alive during the summer with a range of national and international visitors. The streets are filled with posters and billboards advertising the festival and street theatre is performed daily. This is a vibrant environment that engages the senses, a haven and cauldron for ideas and creativity, a space and place for meeting new people, developing and sharing thoughts and experiencing a creative hub rich in culture.

What are you waiting for? Design your summer of learning today.

Discover our Art &  Design Short Courses

 

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