Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication
Encyclopedia
Ravensbourne is a university sector college innovating in digital media and design, with a vocationally focused portfolio of courses, spanning fashion, television and broadcasting, interactive product design, architecture and environment design, graphic design, animation, moving image, music production for media and sound design.. The institution, which was formerly Bromley Technical College, was opened in 1959 by the amalgamation of the Bromley School of Art and the Department of Furniture Design of the Beckenham School of Art. It was originally located at Bromley Common
Bromley Common
Bromley Common is the area centered around the road of the same name, stretching between Masons Hill at the south end of Bromley and Hastings Road, Locksbottom. Part of the A21...
and Chislehurst
Chislehurst
Chislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
before moving to a new purpose-built campus in inner London on the Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula is an area of South London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The peninsula is bounded on three sides by a loop of the Thames, between the Isle of Dogs and Silvertown. To the south is the rest of Greenwich, to the south-east is Charlton.The peninsula lies...
in September 2010.
History
The Bromley School of Art opened in 1878 in Tweedy Road, Bromley. In 1959 it merged with the Department of Furniture Design of the Beckenham School of Art and in 1965 moved to purpose-built accommodation on Rookery Lane, Bromley CommonBromley Common
Bromley Common is the area centered around the road of the same name, stretching between Masons Hill at the south end of Bromley and Hastings Road, Locksbottom. Part of the A21...
. The site had originally housed the Rookery, an 18th century house that had been burnt out while in military occupation in 1946. As the college expanded it was unable to develop the Rookery Lane site any further, as it was part of the Metropolitan Green Belt
Metropolitan Green Belt
The Metropolitan Green Belt is a statutory green belt around London, England. It includes designated parts of Greater London and the surrounding counties of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey in the South East and East of England regions.-History:The...
. This resulted in the college moving in 1975, to a new site set amongst 18 acres (72,843.5 m²) of private parkland on Walden Road, Chislehurst
Chislehurst
Chislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
51.4205°N 0.0537°W. The Rookery Lane site was redeveloped for the Bromley College of Further & Higher Education
Bromley College of Further & Higher Education
Bromley College of Further and Higher Education is situated in the London Borough of Bromley, London, England. It is affiliated to the University of Greenwich.Bromley College’s main campus, Rookery Lane, is just south of Bromley town centre on the A21....
.
It has offered higher level courses in design since the 1960s. In 1985 the Broadcasting department joined, replacing Fine Arts. It was amongst the earliest of institutions to be approved by the then CNAA
Council for National Academic Awards
The Council for National Academic Awards was a degree awarding authority in the United Kingdom from 1965 until 1992. The CNAA awarded academic degrees at polytechnics, Central Institutions and other non-university institutions such as Colleges of Higher Education until they were awarded university...
to convert the traditional Diploma programmes in Art and Design into honours degrees during the 1970s. Following the demise of the CNAA in 1992, the College entered into a validating partnership with the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, which agreed exceptionally to take this responsibility because of Ravensbourne’s strong reputation and longstanding links with the RCA. This validation ceased when the Royal College of Art withdrew from offering collaborative provision.
Ravensbourne College was recognised previously as an affiliate College of the University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
in 1996 and was re-recognised in 2002. As of 2009, however, the college's undergraduate provision has been revalidated by City University, London
City University, London
City University London , is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and became a university in 1966, when it adopted its present name....
, which also provides validation to all postgraduate programmes. In April 2010 it shortened its name from Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication to simply Ravensbourne.
2010 Campus Relocation
After major consideration and long deliberation, it was decided that for Ravensbourne to expand and solidify its position as a provider of high quality education in the areas in which it specialises, the College would either have to merge with another institution, or relocate from its location in ChislehurstChislehurst
Chislehurst is a suburban district in south-east London, England, and an electoral ward of the London Borough of Bromley. It is south-east of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
, Kent. The latter option was chosen and a new campus was constructed on Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula is an area of South London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The peninsula is bounded on three sides by a loop of the Thames, between the Isle of Dogs and Silvertown. To the south is the rest of Greenwich, to the south-east is Charlton.The peninsula lies...
, which opened in September 2010.
The new campus is next to The O2
The O2 (London)
The O2, visually typeset in branding as The O2, is a large entertainment district on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, England, including an indoor arena, a music club, a Cineworld cinema, an exhibition space, piazzas, bars and restaurants...
, an entertainment district on Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula is an area of South London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich.The peninsula is bounded on three sides by a loop of the Thames, between the Isle of Dogs and Silvertown. To the south is the rest of Greenwich, to the south-east is Charlton.The peninsula lies...
, which has the intention of bringing the college closer to partner institutions and the industries to which it relates. With a striking exterior, the new building is designed to replicate the working environment of industry, with a high emphasis on student and industry collaboration.
Curriculum and reputation
The College offers Further EducationFurther education
Further education is a term mainly used in connection with education in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is post-compulsory education , that is distinct from the education offered in universities...
, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes divided and taught between two faculties: Design and Communication Media.
Within the area of Further Education, the College offers the Diploma in Foundation Studies for both Art & Design and Media, as well as the BTEC National Certificate in Art and Design.
At undergraduate level, there are Foundation degree
Foundation degree
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification introduced by the government of the United Kingdom in September 2001, which is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
s, honours degree level top-up years (for those having completed foundation degrees or equivalent), and Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s. A number of these Bachelor's degrees also offer a "Level 0" programme. Many of these degrees are currently undergoing a transition period with the introduction of newly validated programmes. The available postgraduate provision consists of 14 Master's level courses, each of which can be studied to MA or MSc (dependent on subject), or to MInnov or MFA
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
level if desired. A range of subject areas are offered within the main disciplines of fashion
Fashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
, design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, media
Media studies
Media studies is an academic discipline and field of study that deals with the content, history and effects of various media; in particular, the 'mass media'. Media studies may draw on traditions from both the social sciences and the humanities, but mostly from its core disciplines of mass...
and broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
.
Ravensbourne students have achieved success in national competitions such as the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
Design Awards (RSA), British Design in Art Direction Awards (D&AD
D&AD
Design and Art Direction is a British educational charity which exists to promote excellence in design and advertising...
), New Designers Awards, Graduate Fashion Week Awards and Promax Awards
Promax Awards
PromaxBDA Awards honor design and marketing work in the advertising and promotions business from a company or individual that is broadcast, published or released in their respective markets....
.
The College enjoys strong relationships with the creative industries to which it relates . The College’s students are over-represented in its success rate for national prizes, competitions and awards and its graduates are highly employable. Many undergraduate students also progress to postgraduate courses at highly reputable institutions such as Central St. Martins and the Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
.
Ravensbourne also provides a range of masterclasses and short courses, available to both students and industry professionals.
National Centre of Excellence
Ravensbourne benefits from endowments from the UK’s independent television companies as it is a preferred supplier of education and training. The College has a £10m industry-standard broadcast facility, and is also one of the few institutions in Europe with advanced post-productionPost-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
facilities, donated and supported by Quantel
Quantel
Quantel is a company based in the United Kingdom and founded in 1973 that designs and manufactures digital production equipment for the broadcast television, video production and motion picture industries...
. Ravensbourne is one of seventeen national Skillset Media Academies.
Degree Show
Every year the college hosts a broadcastingBroadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
event which is usually held at the college itself. The event is a showcase for both current and future broadcast technologies where large numbers of industry delegates attend on the day; it is the UK's largest Student Broadcasting event and is produced entirely by Ravensbourne students. In previous years, the event has been known as 'Rave On Air' and 'Rave Live' however, after the relocation to the Greenwich Peninsula, the degree show changed its format from a broadcasting focused event to an all course showcase event which incorporates the end of year fashion show - another event which is also held at the college and attracts industry delegates. The most current degree show was aptly named 'Ravensbourne 2011'
Students' Union
The Students' Union at Ravensbourne have recently undergone a full rebrand to become 'Ravensbourne Students' Union' or 'RSU' for short. The rebrand of the Students' Union coincides with Ravensbourne's new location and identity and builds on the college's branding, released in 2010.The Students' Union Executive team is currently made up of the following roles and officers:
- President: Harri Kamalanathan
- Vice President: Iain Simpson
- Treasurer / Finance Officer: Matt Fox
- Welfare and Academic Officer: Andy Morgan
- Societies and Activities Officer: Ellen Ogilvie
- Head of Events: Richard Lartey
- Assistant to the Head of Events: Kerry Lee
- Communications Officer: Lee Parker
- Sustainability Officer: Tom Riglar
- Students' Union Administrator: Jane Gregory
The Students' Union website may be found at www.ravesu.co.uk.
During Freshers week 2011, the Students' Union ran the following lineup:
- Monday - Heaven and Hell Welcome Party.
- Tuesday - Zane Lowe, Faith SFX and End of the Spectrum at Proud2.
- Wednesday - Foam and UV party at THAT Club London.
- Thursday - Beardyman at INC Club.
- Friday - Viva Las Vegas, Casino themed swing night at the newly opened Electric Brixton.
Notable alumni and past students
- Brian BarnesBrian Barnes (artist)Brian Barnes is an English artist. Brian Barnes was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for services to the community in Battersea, London.-Life and work:...
, artist - David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, rock musician — foundation course - Jake and Dinos ChapmanJake and Dinos ChapmanIakovos "Jake" Chapman and Konstantinos "Dinos" Chapman are English visual artists, often known as the Chapman Brothers, who work together as a collaborative sibling duo...
, conceptual artists - Simon Egan, television director and producer
- Andy George, Nightclub & BBC Radio 1 DJ
- Nazaneen GhaffarNazaneen GhaffarNazaneen Ghaffar is a United Kingdom television weather forecaster. She currently appears on the Sky News channel having previously presented for BBC South East Today and ITV West.-Early life:Ghaffar grew up in Tunbridge Wells, Kent...
, weather presenter, Sky NewsSky NewsSky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New... - Robert HewisonRobert HewisonRobert Alwyn Petrie Hewison is a British cultural historian.He was educated at Bedford School, Ravensbourne College of Art and Design, and Brasenose College, Oxford, where he graduated BA in 1965, MA in 1970, MLitt in 1972, and DLitt in 1989.For most of his professional life he has made a living...
, literary scholar - Simon HiltonSimon HiltonSimon Hilton is a British music video, concert and documentary director and editor and multimedia creative based in London.- Early life and career :...
, film director & editor - Peter JamesPeter James (writer)Peter James is a British writer of crime fiction and film producer.-Life:James is the son of Cornelia James, the former glovemaker to Queen Elizabeth II. He was educated at Charterhouse School and went on to Ravensbourne Film School. Subsequently he spent several years in North America, working as...
, writer and film producer - Anthony McCall, artist
- Stella McCartneyStella McCartneyStella Nina McCartney is an English fashion designer. She is the daughter of former Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney and the late photographer and animal rights activist, Linda McCartney.-Early life:...
, fashion designer - Bruce OldfieldBruce OldfieldBruce Oldfield OBE is a British fashion designer, best known for his couture occasionwear. He dresses Hollywood actresses, British and International royalty and European aristocracy; famous clients have included Sienna Miller, Barbra Streisand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Diana Ross, Emmanuelle...
, fashion designer - Chris OrrChris OrrChristopher Orr MBE RA is an English artist and printmaker who has exhibited world wide and published over 400 limited edition prints in lithography, etching and silkscreen....
, artist - Jay Osgerby (BarberOsgerby), product and furniture designer
- Tim PopeTim PopeTimothy Michael Pope is a film director most famous for his music videos, having directed feature films, and for a brief pop career.-Early life and career:...
, film director - David Spearing, film director
- Gareth UnwinGareth UnwinGareth Unwin is a British film producer best known for producing the 2010 film The King's Speech, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Picture...
, film producer - Alison WildingAlison WildingAlison Wilding RA is an English sculptor.-Biography:Born in Blackburn in Lancashire, Wilding studied at the Nottingham College of Art, the Ravensbourne College of Art and Design in Chislehurst and, from 1970 to 1973, the Royal College of Art in London...
, sculptor - Melanie RodrigaMelanie RodrigaMelanie Rodriga is a Perth-based New Zealand-Australian film maker, lecturer and self-identified radical lesbian feminist.- Early life :...
(née Read), film director