Free RSC art & design event this week: "Stepping into the Future"

Date: Friday 24th September 2010 (noon - 4:30pm)
Venue: Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, EH3 9DF
Cost: Free!

The ‘Stepping into the Future’ series of events organised by the JISC Regional Support Centre (RSC) Scotland North & East aims to explore how technology can be used to enhance everyday teaching and learning.

Hosted by the Edinburgh College of Art, this ‘Stepping’ event brings together subject specialists from Art and Design departments to learn about initiatives that have made a real impact on students. During the day, you’ll have the chance to experience some of the technology that brought those gains about, through a series of workshops and presentations. It’s also an opportunity to showcase the support that we, the RSC, provide colleges and universities in Scotland – a resource that we sincerely hope that you will want to take advantage of in the future.

Just some of the sessions on the day:

3D Printing: Demonstration of rapid prototyping with 3D printers. The technology is already being trialled in schools around Scotland and in colleges and universities around the country. You’ll have a chance to see the RapMan (pictured left) in action and discover how printing in 3D can transform your lessons. Previously such printers would have been far beyond departmental budgets, but advances in manufacturing mean that units costing tens of thousands can now be purchased for a fraction of the cost.

Portfolios for Art & Design Students: A portfolio should be able to present student work in the best possible light, yet typical electronic or ‘e-Portfolios’ never quite look as if they have designed with artists in mind. Dropr, designed by art graduates, seeks to offer a solution for creative individuals. The Dropr network can be used by educational institutions to provide a hub for discussion and showcase artwork, with features such as interactive galleries, news, events and discussion forums.

QR Codes: QR Codes (Quick Response Codes) are 2D barcodes that link the real world and virtual worlds. If you happen to have been to the National Galleries in Edinburgh recently and bought a ticket for an exhibition you'll have noticed on the reverse of the ticket a strange looking barcode - that's a QR code. A hands-on workshop examines how QR Codes can be used in education. You will also have the opportunity to use and generate your own QR Codes.

Capturing the Design Process: The e-scape Scotland project uses a variety of methods to capture the process of design, compiling audio, video and text ‘snapshots’ into a central system using wireless portable devices. The project was originally developed as a summative assessment tool utilising ‘comparative judgement’ techniques to arrive at a final grade (which have proven more reliable than standard assessment practices). Now adapted for formative assessment, you’ll have a chance to experience how the escape team follows the design process in this hands-on workshop.

Places are limited for this event, so please book early to avoid disappointment! The booking form and programme can be found at the RSC Scotland North & East website.

British Museum catalogue: now online

As noted on the British Museum libraries and archives site:

Catalogues for all of the [British] Museum's libraries can now be searched online. Work to develop and enhance the catalogue will continue over the coming months ... not all Museum libraries have their entire collection recorded in the online catalogue. Please note that you should contact the relevant library prior to your visit for further details or to make an appointment where necessary.

GSA Library is award winning!

From the Glasgow School of Art library blog:



"GSA was unanimously judged to be the winning 'Outstanding Library Team' at the annual Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards at London's Grosvenor House Hotel June 17. Our entry centred around 'InfosmArt', our in-house interactive course in information and research skills for art, design and architecture students. The judges cited our '...innovative use of technology...to help students realise their potential and broaden their research horizons.'"

Congratulations to (SVAG member) GSA Library & Learning Resources on their award!

Job Vacancy: Library Assistant, Edinburgh College of Art

(please pass on this information to any potential candidates you may know - cheers, Paula)


Library Assistant (0.5 FTE)
£14,550 to £16,629 per annum (pro rata)

You will work as part of the Library team, primarily involved in the daily operation of the issue desk, reporting to the Reader Services Librarian. The issue desk is the first point of contact with library users and you will be required to provide assistance and support to users in a friendly and efficient manner. You will also contribute to other library processes and procedures as required.

Educated to higher level or equivalent with excellent customer care skills, you will be IT literate and a self-starter with strong organisational skills. You will be a self-motivator and good team player. Experience of working in an academic library and of computer based library management systems is desirable.

To apply please see the ECA website (click on "staff" and then on "jobs at eca"), email jobs@eca.ac.uk or telephone 0131 221 6292 (24 hours). The closing date for applications is Friday 2nd July 2010. Interviews are expected to be held on Tuesday 27th July 2010.

Free exhibition: ECA Degree Show 2010

The 2010 ECA Degree Show will be held from Saturday 12-Sunday 20 June, on Monday-Thursday from 10am-8pm, and on Friday-Sunday from 10am-5pm. Admission is free.

The Art & Design Show will be held in the Main Building and Evolution House; the entrance to the Main Building is via the pend at 74 Lauriston Place or via Lady Lawson Street and the entrance to Evolution House is on West Port. The Architecture & Landscape Architecture Show will be held in the Architecture Building; the entrance to the Architecture Building is via the pend at 74 Lauriston Place or via Lady Lawson Street.

Come along to explore an eclectic and exciting range of work from drawing and painting, sculpture, tapestry (mixed and new media fine art), art, space & nature, animation, film & TV, graphic design, illustration, photography, furniture & interior design, glass, silversmithing & jewellery, printed textiles, fashion, performance costume, architecture and landscape architecture. Please visit the ECA website for further information.

(Note from Paula @ SVAG: Please feel free to submit your degree show information to me for publication, my email is p.cuccurullo@ed.ac.uk)