Degree Show 2018: V&A Dundee will build city’s reputation for design

Published On Fri 27 Apr 2018 by Jonathan Watson

Some of the UK’s brightest emerging creative talents will show they are ready to take on the world when the University of Dundee hosts its annual Art, Design and Architecture Degree Show.

Featuring the work of more than 300 students, the University will once again be transformed into Scotland’s largest exhibition space as it welcomes thousands of visitors to the campus for one of the highlights of the city’s cultural calendar.

The 10-day event begins on May 18 and comes as excitement continues to build ahead of the opening of V&A Dundee on Saturday 15 September.

Professor Paul Harris, Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, said that as the city prepared for Scotland’s first dedicated design museum to open its doors, this year’s Degree Show demonstrated why Dundee was already at the vanguard.

“V&A Dundee might not open until September, but the work at this year’s Degree Show highlights why our city is already an internationally renowned centre for design,” he said.

“Our students are always willing to embrace the latest emerging concepts and technologies, but also engage with what is going on around the world, as well as here in Dundee. Their work is often driven by real world issues and problems and the desire to make a positive difference to the world we share.

“Having the ability to potentially transform the external world through creative practice and visionary ideas is very much at the heart of what we do at the University of Dundee, and this ethos is something that will only be enhanced when V&A Dundee opens.

“Every year we think we have a bumper Degree Show that cannot be surpassed, only for us to be amazed and excited by the quality of work the next cohort produces.

“This year is no exception.”

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design is one of the leading art and design schools in the UK, with many of its students forging careers as world-leading artists, animators, designers and makers.

Alumni include Turner Prize winner Susan Philipsz, illustrator Jo Basford, fashion designer Hayley Scanlan, and the late painter Alberto Morrocco.

Graeme Hutton, Professor of Architecture and Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching, added, “Once again our students have pushed themselves to create a truly memorable exhibition.

“Dundee is a city bristling with creative energy and the work on display at this year’s Architecture Degree Show has really captured this.”

The Degree Show is expected to attract more than 15,000 visitors, generating in excess of £1.5 million for the local economy.

This year’s event begins with the traditional Preview Evening on Friday 18 May, before opening to the public the following day, running until Sunday 27 May.

Entry to the Degree Show is free, with further details available online.

For media enquiries contact:
Jonathan Watson
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 381489
Email: j.s.watson@dundee.ac.uk