Design Studio Practice

The Design Studio Practice BA explores the rich cross-disciplinary territory where design encompasses art, product design, installation, interior design, visual communication and other fields of creative practice in material culture that engage with the making of artefacts. The course is intended for those who are passionate about design, but who don't want to be narrowly identified as a product designer, fine artist or graphic designer. It's ideal for anyone craving the freedom to test and explore the diverse ways of fulfilling a brief, solving a problem or proposing a new typology.

The course takes inspiration from contemporary practice in design studios (such as Droog, Martino Gamper, Jongeriuslab, Tord Boontje and Glithero) that design and make a wide range of objects and processes, often collaboratively, but always without accepting constraints as to what is expected as a result. Experimentation, discovery, testing and production of innovative outcomes are expected, but how – in what material, through which process, by what sort of designed outcome – is not prescribed.

In this course, you'll develop and apply your own model of design research and enquiry, process-driven experimentation and development, and rigorous testing and proving. Through collaboration with working designers and design studios, you'll discover your own individual design interests, principles and methods of practice.

The course draws not only on the wide-ranging and deep expertise of staff, but also their close-knit and long-standing relationships with industry professionals who bring real-world understanding of the opportunities available across a range of design practices. You'll work on a series of projects alongside high-profile design practitioners, giving you an unparalleled insight into how they work and achieve success. The University has extensive industry-standard workshops and technical support, with a broad spectrum of materials and processes available for exploration.

In your first year, you’ll conduct a wide range of experimental projects in order to discover a personal method of research, design, development and production, leading to self-initiated project briefs. In your second and third years, you'll join a series of curated projects led by designers and design studios, allowing you to broaden your experience of current practice. There'll be opportunities to visit studios, workshops, factories and galleries, and visiting speakers, designers, companies and curators, ensuring you're fully aware of the expectations and constraints of design studio practice.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A minimum of grades BBC in three A levels in relevant art and design, art history or design and technology subjects (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification in relevant art and design subjects)
• A portfolio review
• English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent)

We encourage applications from international/EU students with equivalent qualifications. Suitable applicants living in the UK will be invited to a portfolio interview. Applicants living outside the UK will be required to submit a portfolio of work via email. If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Art and Design Extended degree.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2018/19 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time. Year 1 modules include:

• 3D Design Principles (core, 30 credits)
• 3D Visual Research and Communication (core, 30 credits)
• Critical & Contextual Studies 1 (3D) (core, 30 credits)
• Workshop Practice (core, 30 credits)

Year 2 modules include

• 3D Design (core, 30 credits)
• Critical & Contextual Studies 2 (3D) (core, 30 credits)
• Design Resolution (core, 30 credits)
• Materials, Technology and Markets (core, 30 credits)

Year 3 modules include

• 3D Project Design & Development (core, 30 credits)
• Critical & Contextual Studies 3: Dissertation (3D) (core, 30 credits)
• Major Project Realisation: Design Studio Practice (core, 30 credits)
• World of Work (core, 30 credits)

After the course

On graduation, you may go on to work as a designer, but you’ll also be well equipped to work in other fields including design education, journalism, or in cultural institutions such as museums. There will also be opportunities to consider in the retail sector, commercial galleries or in interior design practices.