Kinetic Sculpture for 15 – 17 year olds
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Start Date(s): 5 August 2024
- Duration: Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, one week
- Study Mode(s): Short course
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Have you ever seen awe-inspiring moving sculptures and wondered how they balance?
On this course you will be introduced to the art, craft and design of mobile sculpture making.
This course is ideal for anyone with a curiosity for design and making; whether you are interested in physics and engineering or art and design you’ll develop new technical skills and forms of creative expression.
The course is both practical and theoretical – creating and balancing mobiles can be developed with either mathematics, trial and error or following your intuition. All methods will be taught and explored, and you can follow the style that suit you most.
-
You’ll be part of a design community in our creative studio culture; one that promotes discussion and collaboration, and encourages experimentation and the constant swapping of ideas. -
With a limited class size you'll have the one-to-one attention you need to ensure you leave with the skills to continue developing your portfolio. -
Benefit from learning with an experienced tutor who has established links to the profession and significant experience working in varied practices. -
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance.
Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award?
This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential.
DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.
What you’ll study
Looking at the intersection between art, design, physics, and engineering, on this course your imagination will take centre stage, and your creations will come to life with movement!
You’ll learn and apply simple principles of physics and mechanics alongside experimentation and creativity to develop and produce your own kinetic sculptures.
You’ll also have the opportunity and support to develop your mobile idea as a ‘stabile’, that is, having a stand or mount to be a floor or table based moving sculpture.
During this course, you will:
- embark on a full creative process
- learn about the specific art-form and historical works of kinetic sculpture
- understand balance, force and movement principals
- show a range of art, craft and design skills in a wide variety of materials
- develop your concept and theme ideation
- design through drawing
- work on wire forming in soft and sprung metals
- form lightweight 3D shapes with 2D materials
- use simple hand tools and some workshop machinery to create further developed parts in wood, metal and plastics
- create sculptures that dance, spin, and captivate the eye.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll study during the course.
- Day 1: Discover and Design
- Day 2: Shape and Structure
- Day 3: Tools in the Workshop
- Day 4: Open Workshop
- Day 5: Make Art that Moves
Embark on a journey through the rich history of mobile and kinetic art, immersing yourself in a visual feast of examples from around the world.
Dive into the essentials of creativity and design, exploring themes, colours, and the impact of environments on your artistic vision.
Get hands-on with basic physics principles as you learn the art of building and balancing mobile sculptures. Wire forming techniques will be uncovered as you begin weaving narratives into your creations. It's the day to let inspiration guide your imagination!
You’ll learn basic physics principles in balance and essentials of how to build and balance a mobile sculpture, practice forming armatures and linkages with soft wire and using simple counterbalance materials to understand the physics.
Unleash your creativity as you explore the world of materials - cutting, forming, and joining techniques. From paper and thin sheet metal to plastic and sprung steel wire, discover how 2D materials can transform into captivating 3D shapes.
Dive into the mechanics of linkages, bearings, swivels, and more, exploring the potential of energy sources like wind, human power, and batteries.
As you plan your design you’ll discuss ideas, develop sketches, and explore material options—from wood and aero-ply to recycled objects. Your artistic vision will begin to take tangible form!
Step into the workshop and explore some more advanced machines and tools including band saws, scroll saws, sanders, and vacuum forming. You’ll implement your ideas into your projects or kickstart a new creation and receive technical and creative problem-solving assistance, ensuring your visions come to life.
Continue refining your creations in this open workshop, where technical and creative support is at your fingertips. Benefit from ad hoc group or individual demonstrations tailored to your requests, ensuring your sculptures evolve.
After completing your kinetic artworks you’ll engage in lively discussions and capture your creations in photographs. You’ll receive valuable feedback, celebrate your artistic journey, and proudly walk away with a certificate recognising your newfound skills. It's not just the end - it's the beginning of your kinetic adventure in sculpting motion!
Further information on what you'll study
This course is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the workshop and studio environment and create new work for your portfolio.
You’ll leave with an understanding of kinetic principles and have developed your creative confidence and technical expertise and take away your own finished kinetic sculpture.
From delving into the physics of balance to honing your design skills and exploring diverse materials with hands-on experience, you’ll have gained a robust set of skills.
You’ll leave equipped with practical design skills and the ability to collaboratively solve challenges.
Social events
We appoint NTU Student Ambassadors who host social events on Monday and Wednesday evening to help you make friends across the whole of our summer school programme for 15 – 17 year olds, which are free to attend.
How you’re taught
This course will be delivered in person on Nottingham Trent University city campus.
You will receive 25 contact hours of quality tuition with an experienced tutor.
Careers and employability
The course is designed to give you a real experience of university life, make new friends who share similar interests and develop your portfolio so that ultimately, you can make an informed decision about your future.
On successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate of attendance, which will further enhance your CV.
Doing your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award?
This course can count as your Gold DofE Residential.
DofE participants must book both the course and accommodation on campus for this to count towards your Gold Award.
Campus and facilities
You will be based in the School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment on the City Campus.
You will receive an email one week before the course starts with joining instructions on where to go for the first day.
You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.
Entry requirements
Level: Open to all.
Entry requirement: You should have an enthusiasm for sculpture and an interest in developing your creative and technical skills.
You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Level: Open to all.
Entry requirement: You should have an enthusiasm for sculpture and an interest in developing your creative and technical skills.
You must be 15, 16 or 17 years old at the time of the course in order to attend.
Fees and funding
The fee for this course is £525.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
You will also need to bring with you:
- a notepad and pen
- basic drawing and designing equipment: a selection of pencils, pens and markers
- sensible fully covered shoes (you will be working in a workshop with machinery and tools).
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation?
If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian.
To support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence.
The reception and security team are available 24 hours, and there will be a dedicated supervisor(s) during the evenings and mornings, outside of class times.
Guests will be provided with a mobile number for the supervisor(s) during their stay.
If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Find out more at www.ntu.ac.uk/summeraccommodation
Looking to turn your one-week course into a two-week experience?
If you can match this with any second course, you’ll receive a 10% refund on your course fees.
The fee for this course is £525.
Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.
Secure your place with a deposit - If you're booking more than two months before the course starts, we can accept a £200 deposit to secure your place, and the balance is due one month before the course starts.
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include great benefits such as the use of our modern library and free use of the IT equipment and software on the campus during your course.
You will also need to bring with you:
- a notepad and pen
- basic drawing and designing equipment: a selection of pencils, pens and markers
- sensible fully covered shoes (you will be working in a workshop with machinery and tools).
You can read the terms and conditions of booking here.
Need accommodation?
If you're aged 16 or 17 then you can stay unaccompanied with agreement from a parent/guardian.
To support safeguarding, all guests aged 16 and 17 will be accommodated together in the same halls of residence.
The reception and security team are available 24 hours, and there will be a dedicated supervisor(s) during the evenings and mornings, outside of class times.
Guests will be provided with a mobile number for the supervisor(s) during their stay.
If you're aged 15 then you can stay as long as you are accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Find out more at www.ntu.ac.uk/summeraccommodation
Looking to turn your one-week course into a two-week experience?
If you can match this with any second course, you’ll receive a 10% refund on your course fees.
How to apply
You can book this course via the NTU online store:
5 - 9 August 2024
You can book this course via the NTU online store: