As an academic institution of creative learning, the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) looks at three prominent members of the Dominican Order as models, i.e. St. Dominic de Guzman-The Preacher of Truth and founder of the Order of Preachers whose life of prayers served as an inspiration to countless individuals; St. Thomas Aquinas-The Angelic Doctor of the Universal Church who taught that “art is the right way of making things” and Beato Angelico da  Fiesole-The Angelic Artist and Theologian of Art who proclaimed the Word of God by the work of his hands portraying what is Good, Beautiful and True, exemplifying the evangelizing effects of an artwork and the enormous role played by the artist in becoming a living witness to his faith and his creator

 

History

The SLU College of Fine Arts and Design traces its beginnings as a department of the Faculty of Engineering in 1935, although based on the accounts of Bazaco (1953:148), the University of  Santo Tomas School of Drawing and Painting was established much earlier in 1785.

 

In 1946, the College of Architecture and Fine Arts (CAFA) was established, separating the disciplines under this College from the Faculty of Engineering.  The programs of study classified under Fine Arts consisted of Painting and Sculpture.  In 1952, courses in Advertising Arts and Interior Design were opened.  In 1974, a two-year certificate course in Commercial Arts and in Furniture Design and Construction Supervision were also offered.  In 1978, Industrial Design was added to these programs.

 

In the year 2000, the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) was established as a separate academic unit.  In the same year, CFAD transferred from the Roque Ruaño building to the Beato Angelico building, which it shares with the College of Architecture up to the present.

 

Vision

The SLU-CFAD envisions itself as a globally leading institution  of creative and dynamic visual artists and designers, promoters of the Filipino culture imbued, with the Christian values of Faith, Hope and Charity and the Thomasian virtues of Competence, Compassion and Commitment.

 

Mission

The SLU-CFAD is committed to the holistic development of Thomasian Visual Artists and Designers as leading expert practitioners and educators, in a learning environment that stimulates creative growth through research and experiential learning, interaction and exchange with other academic institutions and communities, at the local and international level.

 

Programs Offered

ADVERTISING

The Advertising Arts program provides a foundation of the design and the marketing aspects of advertising. Students are introduced to the aesthetic, design, and marketing principles which are essential to the conceptualization of an effective ad campaign and all its graphic requirements.  Students learn, not only drawing and rendering skills, but also develop discipline for managing their tasks and an awareness of the values and ethics that should guide them in the workplace. The program includes elective courses that provide an overview of allied areas in design which anticipates specialization in illustration, fashion design, package design and photography. Design development projects are research-based; emphasis is placed on the communicative aspects of the discipline. Students are directed towards the creative utilization of the various media available in the pursuit of responsible advertising.

 

INTERIOR DESIGN

The Interior Design program is aimed at developing the student’s skills for planning the design and the design requirements of a given space in relation to its function. The program purposely prepares the student for professional practice in providing effective, efficient and creative design solutions for homes, hotels and stores and other business spaces. Discipline and professional ethics are core values promoted by the program. Students are taught research and presentation skills for the effective communication of the purpose and advantages of the students’ design ideas. Major design courses are complemented by lessons in courses such as Decorative Arts and Philippine Art.

 

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN

The Industrial Design program places emphasis on the fusion of art, design and technology. Students learn the skills and discipline necessary for the design development of functional objects that are geared for mass production. The students’ presentation skills are honed through courses such as Visual Communication and Photography to enable the effective presentation and communication of their ideas and design concepts. Projects are research-based. Students of Industrial Design are made aware of the guidelines of Intellectual Property Rights and the ethical requirements of professional practice.

 

PAINTING

The Painting program is focused in the development of skills for the studio arts such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, as well as the exploration of other visual art forms and materials. Courses in Painting include Freehand Drawing, Anatomy, Life Sketching and Composition. These are complemented by technology-driven courses such as Computer Graphics and Photography. A course on Materials familiarizes students with the basic media for the visual arts.  Lecture courses enable students to develop a critical eye for aesthetic value. Skills for exhibition design and display are necessarily honed by the student through constant exposure to presentation-related activities.

 

Administrators

 

Assoc. Prof. Cynthia B. Loza, Ph.D.

Dean

 

Fr. Edgardo D. Alaurin, O.P.

Regent

 

Ms. Adrienne A. Zacarias

College Secretary

 

Contact Information

Address: 

2 Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City 1108, Philippines

 

Phone: 824-18-32

Fax: 824-37-19