Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM Degrees

Enrich your academic and studio experience through innovative thinking about the aesthetics, function and craftsmanship of your creations.

New Attitudes 

The Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM degree at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia integrates contemporary practices and advanced technologies with one of the oldest art forms. Here, you master time-honored methods while expanding your skills through computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).  

Explore Your Potential

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM

Tyler’s BFA in Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM (MJCC), a STEM-designated program, provides unmatched access to advanced metalwork facilities, cutting-edge equipment and innovative technologies. If you can imagine it, Tyler gives you the tools, spaces and instruction to bring your vision to life.  

Throughout your coursework and studio practice, you build both competence and confidence with traditional techniques and contemporary digital technologies.  

Whether your passion lies in jewelry design, artistic metal objects, innovative functional pieces or a creative blend of metalworking possibilities, Tyler’s expert faculty-mentors challenge you to do your best work.  

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Creative Entrepreneurship Certificate

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture and the Fox School of Business Management collaborate to offer this undergraduate certificate in Creative Entrepreneurship for artists and other creatives who want to add business skills too.  

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Art Education Concentration

This program prepares BFA students, with an approved course of study, to qualify for Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Art, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students must complete the BFA requirements along with 32 credit hours in education, art education, and specified liberal arts courses. Education-related studies begin in the sophomore year. Students generally take 5 years to fulfill all requirements or the 155 credit degree. All candidates for Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Art, K-12 must earn passing scores in the Praxis I and II National Teacher Examinations, Elementary Education: General Knowledge, and the Art Education Examinations.

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Intricate gold ring with a gemstone by Theophilus Annor

MFA in Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM

Tyler offers a graduate program in Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM. Learn more about furthering your education here.  

MFA in Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM

Not Just Bigger, Better Too 

Tyler’s Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM program stands out for its unique integration of traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technology. 

With a strong emphasis on CAD-CAM (Computer-Aided Design–Computer-Aided Manufacture) fully integrated throughout the curriculum, this STEM-designated BFA program equips students to explore both jewelry and product design in innovative ways. 

Starting with Tyler’s first-year foundations courses, you strategically build key skills and experience the power and inspiration of cross-disciplinary connections with classmates in other studio arts majors, setting the stage for a dynamic and forward-thinking creative practice.

 

Metal Artists Assemble 

Tyler’s BFA in Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM infuses your academic and studio art experience with fresh ideas about the beauty, use and style of everything you create.  

 

Two metal workers in coveralls and protective glasses working over a flame

Bring your curiosity and passion to Philadelphia and engage at the intersection of art, design and technology alongside expert faculty — all practicing artists who are leaders in their fields.  

Join a vibrant community of talented BFA students from diverse backgrounds in fine arts, digital fabrication, product design and craft-based disciplines.  

Collaborate within a supportive studio environment. Develop a passion for solving complex problems. Push the boundaries of contemporary metal work. 

 

Get Answers and Help

The Tyler School of Art and Architecture features its own admissions team, who can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your educational and career goals.

Popular Classes 

Browse the list of popular classes in the Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM program at Tyler.  

CAD for Jewelry and Product Design

Learn digital modeling and prototyping in this foundational course.  

Advanced Digital Fabrication

Explore complex design solutions using 3D printing and CNC milling.

Enameling and Surface Exploration

Gain hands-on experience with using color, and experiment with a variety of materials. 

Lost Wax Casting

Learn how to use wax carving and metal casting.

Product Development for Small-Scale Manufacturing

Study strategies and production processes for jewelry and functional objects.

Transferable Skills for Success

A student smiling and listening to another student next to her talk.

In addition to learning studio skills and gaining technical fluency with a variety of materials and methods, Tyler’s BFA degree teaches you many transferable skills that make you an effective and sought-after professional. 

  • Hands-on focus 
  • Meticulous attention to detail 
  • Critical thinking skills  
  • Problem-solving skills  
  • Verbal and visual communication skills 
  • Project design, development and production 
  • Collaboration with allied professions, including graphic design, sculpture and architecture 

Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM Careers 

Tyler’s real-world academic experiences  that balance traditional craftsmanship with digital technology gives you a competitive edge and transform you into a talented professional with many transferable skills that help you stand out in any career. 

That’s how our alumni have landed jobs with Tiffany & Co, David Yurman and industrial design firms. Our graduates pursue an MFA or other graduate degree and / or begin working in a variety of fields. 

  • Jewelry Designer
  • CAD/CAM Specialist
  • Fine Metalsmith or Studio Artist
  • Product Designer
  • Digital Fabrication Technician
  • Entrepreneur or Business Owner
  • Educator or Instructor
  • Exhibition Designer or Curator
  • Metal Conservator 
  • Jewelry Appraiser or Consultant
  • Medical Device Designer 
  • Creative Professional

Metalwork in Action 

Tyler’s Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM program fosters an environment that mirrors what it’s like to be a professional artist / designer who serves the needs of individual consumers and for industrial applications.  

Metals student digitally fabricating work

Studios and Equipment 

Tyler’s studio spaces total nearly 6,000 square feet dedicated exclusively to jewelry-making, metalsmithing and 3D printing.

See Details

Student holding a metal ring with forceps over a pot

Internships 

Your faculty-mentors maintain deep networks with Tyler alumni and other professionals in the field to help you find optional internships and other experiential learning opportunities. such as leading studios, galleries and brands in or near Philadelphia. Our students intern at places like these: David Yurman, LAGOS, Crayola and the Museum of Arts and Design.

View of a busy street in Tokyo

Study Abroad 

Thanks to the extensive resources of Temple University, you can study abroad and gain international perspectives on craft, jewelry and product design.  

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Student using a tool close-up to create a metalwork

Award Competitions 

Tyler students earn recognition at national and international competitions, including the SNAG Student Exhibition and Pangolin Editions Metal Prize.  

The front exhibition space inside the Tyler building, featuring several white podiums displaying art pieces. The space is clean and open, creating a minimalist and focused atmosphere for the artworks.

Exhibits and Conferences 

Our students attend annual exhibits, conferences and industry trade shows — SNAG, American Crafts Council, Munich Jewelry Week, New York Jewelry Week and NY NOW.  

People at work in a Metals classroom

Visiting Artists 

Throughout the year, Tyler hosts talks and workshops with leading figures in the jewelry and product design industries.  

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Small metal sculptures on pedestals in a gallery.

CraftNow Philadelphia 

Tyler partners with local organizations, offering students the chance to engage with the broader craft and design communities in Philadelphia.  

Metals / Jewelry / CAD-CAM Student Work

Find inspiration from the variety of work and form created by Tyler’s students. Forget what you think is possible with metal and wearable art. See how both traditional metalsmithing and digital methods help redefine the profession now.

Primordial Powers by Richie Pierce

Primordial Powers by Richie Pierce

BFA MJCC '24 Student

Student Medal Project 2025 by Kya Parris

Kya Parris

BFA MJCC '25 Student

Production Processes by Alivia Stubbs

Alivia Stubbs

BFA MJCC '23 Student

Advanced 3D Modeling by Kylie Mitchell

Kylie Mitchell

BFA MJCC '25 Student

Advanced 3D Modeling by Sara Hicks

Sara Hicks

BFA MJCC '25 Student

Junior Metalsmithing by Tiffany Gan

Tiffany Gan

BFA MJCC '25 Student

Metals Community Spotlight  

Gain insights into how this degree program challenges you to grow as an artist and prepares you for professional practice, industrial applications and beyond. Let our faculty and alumni explain the benefits of choosing Tyler for your BFA.  

“Many students are drawn to Tyler because they want a contemporary, forward-thinking education that bridges craft, technology and design. Some are interested in traditional metalsmithing, but they recognize the growing importance of digital fabrication and product design in the field. Others come from backgrounds in industrial design or sculpture and seek a program where they can develop a unique artistic voice while gaining technical expertise. They often hope to build careers in fine jewelry, product design, studio practice, digital fabrication or small-scale manufacturing.”

Doug Bucci looking at the camera.

Doug Bucci

Assistant Professor and Program Head, Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM Alum 1998

Meet the Faculty

Tyler attracts creative leaders and change-makers to support your generation of metal artists and designers. Meet your faculty-mentors and learn more about their areas of expertise and passions.  

Meet Professors

Tyler students at the Art Market.

Follow Us! 

Join our online community and follow along with our Instagram posts. See photos and learn more about what’s happening in metals at Tyler. Don’t miss the big reveals from our latest exhibitions and studio work!  

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Program Contacts

In addition to Tyler’s specialized admissions team, you’re welcome to contact program leaders. 

  • Doug Bucci looking at the camera.

    Doug Bucci

    Assistant Professor and Program Head of Metals/Jewelry/CAD-CAM

    ON LEAVE, FALL 2024 Doug Bucci is an artist and educator in the field of jewelry whose work utilizes digital processes to explore and display biological systems and the effect of disease on the body. Computer aided technologies allow Bucci to…

    Email Doug

  • Mallory Weston looking at the camera.

    Mallory Weston

    Associate Professor

    Mallory Weston is an artist whose work involves a marriage between traditional jewelry and metalsmithing techniques and textile techniques to create large-scale wearable pieces. She merges analog processes with computer-aided design to create…

    Email Mallory