DESIGN MASTERCLASS
With Adrian Legge
Adrian Legge, an instructor from Hereford College in the UK, is coming to Canada to teach a dynamic workshop that pushes individuals to reflect on, talk about and explore ideas about design and making.
This five-day intensive takes a deep dive into the design process: what inspires us, what connects the seemingly disparate ideas and feelings we have about objects we encounter? Adrian demonstrates how we can use research to further investigate the ideas that lie at the periphery of our imaginations and develop these into expressive shapes and forms.
The workshop involves drawing, model making, forging and assembly. Adrian will give forging demonstrations that apply to each individual project. Group discussions will cover concept, aesthetics, and personal perspective. All of this will come together at the forge where participants will produce a small functional or sculptural object they have designed.
Who is this course for?
Although the course focuses on forging it actually applies to craftspeople across the board. Whether you are a recent graduate or an individual running a craft-based business this intensive will provide insight about developing a personal style and how to approach your medium with a fresh perspective.
Dates: February 24- February 28, 2024
Time: 9am - 5pm (1 hour lunch)
Where: Two Smiths, 8 Grand Ave. Unit B, Kitchener
Cost: $1000.00 (+ HST + eventbrite registration fee)
All materials, safety equipment, coffee and tea will be provided. Lunch is available in town / an indoor lunch area with a microwave and fridge is provided on site if you bring your own food. Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. See you there!
Adrian Legge
Over 40 years ago I started my journey as a Blacksmith by the traditional apprenticeship route. Through my experience of teaching this craft for over 30 years, I have come to realise that the craft skills involved in making objects well are a central aspect of what makes the work good - at least in the eyes of the craftsperson. A far more important facet is the idea, and how well that concept is communicated through the finished artifact.
Even so, the making itself isn’t just a means to an end; I love the immediacy of the process of moving hot metal around and the limited time to make decisions. I find that working with hot forged metals and exploring ways of manipulating the shape and forms will often lead me into a new area of experimentation, discovery and creativity – and it is often a different journey than my original intent.
The ‘How did you do that’ question will always be there within the technical aspects of forge work and whilst I enjoy the challenge of gaining technical competence and believe that quality craftsmanship should be at the core of what we do, the much more interesting aspect (at least to me) is the ‘Where did the idea come from?’.
Adrian Legge FWCB LWCB Dip WCF Cert Ed FE
