Appraisal Of Works Produced By Metal Products Design Students Of Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science And Technology (Knust), Kumasi, Ghana

Metal Products Design Program (MPDP) was introduced in Kwame Nkrumah University of
Science and Technology in 1964. The establishment of the MPDP was to contribute to
effective utilization of precious and non-precious metals in Ghana. In Ghana, the MPD has
many functions which have contributed a lot in our society, for instance, from our
traditional to modern homes, we see metal products. Again institutions such as churches,
hospitals and other organizations also make judicious use of metal products. Individuals
and functional leaders like chiefs, security officers and religious leaders do the same. Some
of the metal products that one can talk about in the Ghanaian community include
saucepans, tea strainers, tables, jewellery, coal pots, forks and many others. It is obvious to
note that a metal product is now one of the major contributors to all areas of human needs.
This study aimed at investigating and appraising works produced by students of Metal
Products Design Section of Faculty of Art, KNUST to ascertain the strengths and
weaknesses of works of students and the future direction of works to be produced by
students of the section in Ghana. The objectives of this study are to: (1) identify and
describe selected types of works produced by students of MPD section,(2) discuss the
sources of ideas, processes, tools and materials and equipment used to produce these works
and (3) appraise selected works to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of them. The data
for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary sources
of data were gathered through administration of questionnaires to students from year two to
year four and the lecturers of the Metal Products Design Section. The secondary sources
were from books, journals and internet. Selected works of students from the year 1999-2009
were purposefully sampled and appraised The study discovered the significance of Metal
Products Design in our society. It identified what makes up the Metal Products Design and
the type of works produced at the section. The study recommended immediate introduction
of industrial attachment and welding as a major course for students, improving of
equipment and tools, increasing lecturer per student ratio and upgrade of the Section
to a departmental status.