Glass design is a multidisciplinary field that involves a range of subjects such as:
Glassblowing Techniques: Glassblowing is the art of creating glass objects by blowing air through a blowpipe into a molten glass blob. Students of glass design learn different glassblowing techniques such as hand-blown, lampworking, hot glass casting, and kiln-forming.
Materials Science: Glass design students learn about the physical and chemical properties of glass, including its composition, refractive index, and thermal expansion. They also study the different types of glass, such as borosilicate, soda-lime, and lead crystal, and their applications.
Design and Aesthetics: Glass design involves creating aesthetically pleasing and functional glass objects. Students learn about the principles of design, including balance, harmony, rhythm, proportion, and contrast. They also study the history of glass design and the different styles and movements.
Colour Theory: Colour is an essential element of glass design. Students learn about the colour wheel, colour harmonies, and the different techniques for colouring glass, including fusing, enamelling, and staining.
Business and Marketing: Glass design students learn about the business aspects of glass design, including marketing, sales, and production. They study pricing strategies, market analysis, and entrepreneurship.
Sustainability: Glass design students are increasingly being taught about sustainable practices, including eco-friendly materials, recycling, and reducing waste in the production process.
Overall, glass design is a highly specialised field that involves a combination of scientific, technical, artistic, and business skills.
