The dissertation, an initiation to research

In the third year, the role of writing in artistic practice is explored in dedicated courses, culminating in a final publication at the end of the first cycle. This publication, in a free format, examines the multifaceted nature of writing (internship report, poetry, critical text, etc.). This written document, which can be produced in the publishing and printing workshop, allows students to create texts about their artistic practice or professional experiences. Students project their artistic thinking onto the act of writing. This work raises the question of the writing tool itself: how can a student in a higher art school appropriate and develop it to best express the essence of reflecting on an artistic proposition, or even find a specific artistic, literary, cinematic, or sound form to convey it?
The dissertation project must be presented at the end of the 3rd year (L3) for those who wish to continue in the second cycle.

At the beginning of the 4th year (M1), each student engages in dialogue and mentoring with one or two thesis supervisors, a faculty member from the school, a practitioner, and a theorist. These individual sessions are enriched by a workshop, "Sharing the Thesis," open to 4th and 5th year students.

Based on research conducted throughout the fourth year, a layout, design, and graphic design project is proposed, supervised by a professor and in consultation with the thesis supervisor. This allows the student to consider the visual and editorial presentation of their thesis.

Courses in graphic design, art and publishing history, books and printed arts are given throughout the curriculum and allow the affirmation of artistic positions with regard to publishing.
The presence of a bibliography is obligatory, reading being essential, but it can be accompanied by other sources such as the interview, the plastic work of the student and other artists, the field survey – all different research methods to which the students are introduced.

This individual research work that the dissertation represents is supplemented by various devices developed with a view to nourishing theoretical and plastic reflections and constituting a second part of the initiation to research.

The dissertations for the DNSEP (National Higher Diploma in Visual Arts) are available for consultation in the library (on site). They are listed in their catalogue; click on this link to view the available dissertations.