Seeing and Sensing the City

In this course you will explore new ways of seeing and sensing the city of Edinburgh in a contemporary art context. You’ll engage with field exercises, personal reflection, and group discussion to gather sensory and visual information from the environment.

You’ll learn how to merge this information with your own ideas and develop a deeper understanding of the urban environment's relationship to contemporary visual art.

You will be taught in specialist art and design studios, and this course will feature field trips to locations in or around Edinburgh (your teacher will confirm the itinerary in class).

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a device with an internet connection. 

Learning in this course is hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery, and engagement with materials and techniques. If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Use practical methods to gather sensory and visual information from the city;
• Reflect on the urban environment and develop a personal approach to interpreting it as art practice;
• Adapt field research to your creative practice, integrating fresh insights and critical thinking. 

This course is for those with little or no experience of art and design.

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration, who enjoy making things, or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s accessible and inclusive learning policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

The course is suitable for those with no prior experience. This course welcomes those with a vivid imagination and enthusiasm for creative exploration. While no formal background in art or design is required, learning is hands-on and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

Learners are responsible for purchasing their own materials. You may be required to bring some materials to your first, and subsequent classes. Learn more about the materials required for this course here. Please do not purchase any materials until your course is confirmed to run.

There is no recommended reading with this course; however, your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources.

Reading, listening and communication skills are essential. You must be comfortable learning in English. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.