In geoscience, ‘relief’ refers to the shape and surface features of the Earth. This encompasses all elevations and depressions, including mountains, valleys, and plains, both on the Earth’s surface and on the seabed. In the visual arts, a ‘relief’ is a three-dimensional work of art that stands out from a flat background panel. It combines elements of two-dimensional drawing or painting with three-dimensional sculpture.

This Practical Class (TP) within the TP block week focuses on exploring two-and-a-half-dimensional art. Using the example of small-scale relief design, students will gain initial practical experience of working with various manual and computer-aided production techniques:

• creating topographies in CAD (Fusion);
• preparing 3D data and setting up the 3D printer;
• creating laser files and operating the laser;
• three-dimensional collage and moulding techniques using plaster and clay; and
• metal casting in a lost-wax sand mould.

Over the course of the week, students will develop their own relief designs on various scales, one of which will be cast in miniature in silver.

This course is particularly recommended as a complement to the Design4Fun course.

I will be available to answer any questions about the course online via my Zoom on Tuesday, 22 September, between 16:00 and 17:00.