A Scoop on Climate Change | City of Glasgow College Schools Competition
The City of Glasgow College not only offer jewellery design courses at NQ, HND and BA (Hons) degree level, but connect with schools across Scotland through their ‘Schools Jewellery Design Competition - Climate Change’. With almost 500 entries in 2022, the project is engaging young people to explore an annual theme related to the climate emergency and to develop their creativity and voice on the matter.
2022 competition winner Ashley Tandon, an S2 pupil from Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow, cleverly designed a pendant to interpret the melting polar ice caps into a global ice-cream cone.
2022 winner Ashley Tandon, S2 pupil, Kelvinside Academy (Image Credit Kirsty Anderson)
To find out more about the competition we spoke with Lisa McGovern, the Curriculum Head of Craft & Design at the City of Glasgow College.
Tell us how the City of Glasgow College started the annual Schools Jewellery Design Competition.
In 2018 the City of Glasgow College signed the Ethical Making Pledge set up by The Scottish Goldsmiths Trust. At the same time we were thinking of ways to forge links with schools, allowing pupils to understand the types of courses we deliver if they wished to matriculate to Further Education. It seemed like a good combination to promote the course and raise awareness of Climate Change issues at the same time.
How is the Climate Change theme chosen each year?
The teaching team look at current issues surrounding Climate Change and narrow it down to a certain aspect that will create good visual imagery for design. We have to remember this will be something that can be wearable and aesthetic as well as holding a deeper meaning. It blends heritage crafts and new technology, allowing pupils to see their designs turned into a physical piece of jewellery. By using Climate Change as a theme, each year we’re raising awareness among our future generation and allowing them to design thoughtful pieces of jewellery, not just pretty tokens.
Kelvinside Academy pupil Ashley Tandon’s winning Climate Change design and recycled silver pendant manufactured by Vipa Designs.
Could you share why the 2022 winning design was selected for the ‘Protect our Planet’ theme?
Ashley’s design consideration alongside concerns for the planet ticked everything we asked for in the brief, and the judges were very impressed by the wearability factor of the design. At only 13 years old, the thought and creativity, and her awareness levels of the climate emergency are beyond her years.
What do school pupils and the winner learn through the competition?
There are many factors alongside learning a little more about Climate Change issues. They learn about design, working to a live brief and consideration of technical aspects, such as how wearable it has to be. The winner has the unique experience to design jewellery and see the finished product produced professionally.
“When I was thinking of an idea for my design, I thought about what climate change actually was, and how I could interpret that into my drawing. ”
Based on your experience, what would you like to share with teachers and/or pupils thinking about exploring climate change or sustainability?
It is an exciting project and teachers can either embed into the curriculum or has as an extra homework task or art club activity. I would say when designing or teaching the design of the pendant to:
Keep it simple
Focus on one area
Promote creativity and innovation
Don’t overwhelm pupils with too much information
It should be an enjoyable experience and although Climate Change is an incredible sombre topic to focus on, we want to promote how young people are thinking about it and through a visual medium can communicate their thoughts surrounding it.
Left to Right: Kelvinside Academy Teacher Anne Gallie, Kelvinside Academy Pupil Ashley Tandon and Curriculum Head of Craft & Design Lisa McGovern at the City of Glasgow College (Image Credit: Kirsty Anderson)
The 2023 competition theme is ‘Weather’ and is open to anyone under the age of 18 and still at school in Scotland. The deadline is Friday 3rd March 2023, with more details on the brief and how to apply via the link below.
Many thanks to Lisa and the City of Glasgow College for answering our questions, offering insight into the remarkable competition.