Computerized Craft Arts?

[Amanda E. Stark]

During my undergraduate studies the world of metalsmithing was just starting to see the birth of specific 3-D modeling computer programs for jewelry design. Since this was so new to the field there were many
different discussions taking place. Some artists were supporting the use of the
computer in the craft fields while others were shunning them. I did not get the
opportunity to use a 3-D modeling program until my time as a Graduate student.
While I spent 3 months learning the rather intense program I could see some
positive aspects to using a modeling program, but also realized that I could
spend the remaining time for my education learning and mastering it. At the
time I could not justify the amount of time that I needed to master the program;
my artwork was exceptionally time consuming and I could not see how the program
would help me to shorten the execution of each piece. So I chose not to spend
my time learning a program, but instead chose to dedicate myself to mastering
the materials of my field.

I now look at all the schools who are adding CAD to their curriculum and I am starting to wonder what is going to happen to the future of the craft arts? I wonder this because of the concern that a friend brought to me when she
met recently graduated students who received their BFA in Jewelry and
Metalsmithing but who had never touched metal. I am not necessarily against CAD
but I am a little worried about whether or not we are losing the idea of the
handcrafted and I am curious about how other craft artists feel about CAD being
brought into the field of Fine Art Craft. Does it belong or not? Should it be
left in the design department? Do we need to see it as an additional new tool
for us to use? If it is a new tool how do we incorporate it as just another
tool and not something that we become dependent on? These are just a few
questions but I will leave it at that since I want to hear what others have to
say.

Amanda

[Phillip Renato]

Yes, in blood:)

[Michelle Pajak-Reynolds]

Well said, well said! While attending the MJSA NYC Expo, which took place immediately after SNAG this year, the pro's and con's of CAD/CAM came up during a panel discussion.

CAD/CAM is a great tool and has its place for everything from one of a kind custom work to designs for mass production. The jewelry industry, from independently owned studios with less than 5 employees to large corporations, have embraced this technology because it enables them to reduce their speed to market (how long it takes you to make a product and introduce it to your customers) and they are actively looking to hire people who are well versed in CAD/CAM software. Plus, customers love having a 3D image of their order to show off to friends while they wait for the piece to be ready.

With that said, one still has to know how jewelry is constructed. A design might look great on the screen but if it isn't structurally sound, you'll have a very unhappy customer (and maybe even an unhappy boss) to answer to plus twice as much work because the piece will have to be scrapped and re-made.

[Phillip Renato]

I would add that the same aspects of the toolset that make it of value to the 'commercial' side of the field can also be leveraged in whatever context it is that some of us represent; that being rapid visualization of ideas, working through large numbers of iterations and problem solving before the point of production.

I agree; an understanding of the entire workflow from thought to finished object is ideal - though that may not necessarily be the way that jewelry has been constructed throughout history/in current non-CAD contexts. IE we are close to having output devices with the variety and quality of materials and surfaces that will allow for direct and diverse outcomes that could be put to use as jewelry. These will STILL have craft variables that need to be researched, refined, chosen - etc. It is very much analogous to what has happened in graphic design/desktop publishing; just because on demand full color printing is a reality doesn't mean that hitting the print button in a quickly wrought Word document will yield professional results. This is as sophisticated a suite of tools, ideas, and possibilities as any other - and can be effectively combined with nearly any other in the hands of the right individual thoughtfully applying them.

[Michelle Pajak-Reynolds]

agreed

[Teresa Perry]

I agree wholeheartedly, too. You are well spoken, Philip. I do not dismiss the use of any tool, even CAD/CAM programs have their applications. I have seen many positive outcomes from the use of new technology. My only point was that I found it wrong on many levels, (I actually had an emotional, gut response on a personal level that was surprising to me, and was also very interesting), that the students I had been talking to had not TOUCHED metal or any other medium, and were graduating from a metalsmithing program. I am pretty certain she said she was in a "Jewelry & Metalsmithing" program.
I SO wish I remember what university those gals were graduating from and exactly what they called their 'Degree'. I will have to ask some of my classmates who were also attending the conference, see if they remember more. The entire discussion happened at the student mixer at SNAG, I think it was the Savannah, Georgia conference. I didn't stay long at the student mixer.
(Eh-hem, I am not really in the same "age group" with most university students, this being a second, new career for me. So anyway, I had less interest in spending time with them. All nice kids, to be sure, but I found I had less in common with the "younger set", shall I say? So I left the mixer early to spend time with other artists I had not seen in a while and have more commonalities with.)
I'm fairly certain that my classmates partied with that particular group of students for a while that evening. Maybe I can get more info from them and see what they remember, too. It would be interesting, at least to me, to find out their university and the actual program title they were in. I will send off a note to them, see what I can find out. If I come up with anything I will enter another reply.

[Phillip Renato]

I understand. And it is hard to imagine/appreciate a program that has even an historical basis in goldsmithing where (at least) close cousins of gold or 'smithing' are not covered. I have never seen such a program, for what it is worth. Tyler has the most in depth/long standing coverage of these technologies but I know for a fact their BFA students engage metal in at least their early classes (after which I hear they kind of self-identify with a more "hand" or CAD track/focus). We have the next highest concentration, I think, but it still is only just now 3 of 12 classes in the major; with the balance utilizing 'metal' or no material at all (the design classes) or all kinds of other materials and processes including more CAD. This is done at the discretion of the student or as necessary on a project by project basis.

An issue that I think is really important in how we understand what we teach and learn: what is the point of view/fundamental aspect of the discipline? What are we making and for whom? The closer the answer is to 'expressing ourselves' or 'conceptual art', the less predetermined material or process matter at all (these kinds of artists are probably best served by 'as needed' rather than 'just in case' education). The more it is craft, the more the focused development on any material/process skill is
emphasized. If learning how metal is worked is the point of the education - then it really has to be about moving and joining metal etc - why even talk about what it looks like or what it means? The more it is about jewelry, it is the body and the message of the jewel and the effect on the wearer/their audience etc. If it's about design it is the 'arrangement of elements to solve a particular problem' and issues of material and surface and form are just 'styling'. Of course these can be mixed together to suit- the individual, the needs or niche of a community etc.

I doubt this story; not that it was told to you, but that it is true. It is likely a dramatization of a program skewed towards one point of view. Academically, however, I would love to see the results of such an education - to see if there really is still value in teaching 'traditional' methods. I believe there is, of course, but don't have the evidence to prove it.

I am at my bench sanding my new bracelet or I would say more:) Hi!

[Anthony Tammaro]

I have thought of this myself many times. Even though I use no typical metal / jewelry techniques in my practice, I can't deny the influence my education and experience in the crafts plays on my aesthetic and functional decisions. While I was working towards my MFA (Tyler MJCC) I focused on the CAD/CAM track. Up to that point I had no formal training in "jewelry", my focus was on "metalsmithing". I've felt this has worked to my advantage when designing my thesis work, as I was not trying to reinvent the wheel or build a better pin back using CAD, but instead I came to it with fresh eyes. I saw the potential that CAD offered me. Some people may call this "CAD as a Medium" but that is a topic for another discussion. Would an object oriented design and material studies program turn old world craftwork on it's head?

[Winona Johnson]

I could see how these programs could be a concern. I grew up in a sign shop where EVERYTHING was painted, carved, shaped, molded by hand and still is today. The majority of people today when I mention my father owning a sign shop automatically think computer graphics and vinyl stickers. They are always shocked....."You mean, he actually paints the signs by hand?" It amazes me how they can't figure out how he does it by hand. The skills my father has are pretty much extinct. It makes me very sad because the quality is superior over computerized work any day. It looks better and last longer than vinyl stickers. There are some amazing pieces created by these programs and I see it as just another tool. To the people ONLY using these programs they should not be calling themselves metalsmiths. I see them more as jewelry designers. Just like the people who say they make signs using a computer should be saying they design signs. People like my father actually make them.
Well, that's my two cents......