Foundation Diploma in Letter Carving, 

2 academic years, part-time beginning July 2027

Study at West Dean College, with tutor Lisi Ashbridge internationally recognised letter carver and designer with a background in visual Neuroscience.

The West Dean Foundation Diploma in Letter Carving is awarded in recognition of the successful completion of the two-year, part-time programme of six, three-day units, self-directed study and making, with a final 1500-word essay. 

This diploma course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the craft, enabling you to gain insight and practice in drawing, designing lettering, layout, and various carving techniques. You will learn about different materials and how to design for unique projects, as well as about the history of letterforms, which will give you the building blocks to develop your own personal style. You will be supported throughout the course, enabling you to create work based on your own research and interests.

Our Diploma in Letter Carving is suitable for carvers who have had some experience working with stone, either at West Dean or elsewhere, and are looking to commit to an extended program of study to develop confidence in their own personal approach and inspirations. Within each unit, the tutor will introduce an in-depth practical process as a springboard for exploring techniques with individual direction to aid your development. The importance of health and safety, as well as the management of a studio, will be introduced alongside these units. There will also be talks on historical and contemporary issues in lettering. Each unit will be held in the College’s stone carving studio, which has offered regular short courses with well-known makers in lettering for many years.

For more details on the Foundation Diploma letter carving course and how to make an application please click here to go West Dean college website.