Furniture and Product Design (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

Exploring Design (20 credit points)

• Study renowned designs and designers while developing research abilities related to Making and Materials and Drawing and Seeing modules.
• You will create a Professional Development Plan (PDP) for self-assessment and mid-year course review. Assessment includes workbook exercises, a poster presentation, and a visual essay, with opportunities for formative feedback to guide your development.

Drawing and Seeing (20 credit points)

• In this module, you will immerse yourself in the creation and use of sketchbooks, a vital tool for designers and architects. Through dedicated drawing sessions and creative exercises, you will enhance your freehand drawing skills and use your sketchbook as a means of creative thinking.
• You will engage in a series of prescribed drawing activities, receiving formative feedback through 1:1 sketchbook reviews and weekly "show and tell" sessions. By the end of the module, you will confidently understand the value of sketchbooks and be ready to use this skill moving forward in your studies.

Materials and Making (20 credit points)

• In this module you will explore the properties, textures, cost, durability, and sustainability of various materials. Engage in hands-on activities to understand basic fabrication techniques and make informed material choices for your design projects.

Future Living (20 credit points)

• Gain practical experience through hands-on drawing and making exercises, working collaboratively on initial design proposals, and completing a portfolio to showcase your creative solutions and teamwork skills.
• You will learn to identify and adapt to design constraints by creating a small living space within a re-purposed shipping container. Explore celebrated micro-home examples and utilize constraints to drive your innovative solutions.

Client, Object, Space (40 credit points)

• Work with industry clients on real-world or simulated design briefs, using your foundational skills to address challenges and create drawings, models, and a final poster and presentation. Weekly tasks guide you with clear, short-term goals and help you develop your ideas step-by-step.
• Build confidence in visual presentations and critiques, preparing you for undergraduate studies. Gain valuable insights into industry practices by exploring materials, fabrication methods, and collaboration, giving you a comprehensive understanding of how the industry operates.

Introduction to Design (20 credit points)

• This module is both central and integral to your studies and activities in supporting the other modules in year one. It will provide you with the fundamental skills and knowledge that all designers need as professionals, in both practical and contextual subjects. The distinctive features of this module will focus on: What Design is: a process, a practice and teamwork and Communicating your designs.
• You will begin to develop an understanding of the key attributes of being a designer in all that you do, especially in applying safe working practices within the studios and workshops. You will study issues and ideas exploring design from political, technological, social and economic perspectives and you will develop knowledge and comprehension of the fundamental processes and practices of design.
• You will focus on design activities which you will undertake, which are either individually or team based. The work you undertake will also develop your understanding of how to frame appropriate solutions to design problems through a variety different design practices, processes and approaches.
• You will learn key design communication techniques, which is a significant tool for any designer in supporting the design process. This will include a range of media and methods in 2D and 3D i.e. sketching, basic modelling and presentation skills. In studying this module, you will develop the confidence to work with a variety of media and graphical presentation techniques, working in studios, workshops and laboratories.

Design Tools, Materials and Production (20 credit points)

• Develop your practical design skills and your knowledge around materials and production; furthering your confidence in applying a range of practical design skills and tools to develop your own design processes, employing safe working practices within the studio and workshop environments.
• You will consider and apply a diverse range of techniques and skills that are often attributed to the creative perspective of product design. Develop a range of key design tools including sketching, modelling in 3D, making skills, prototyping , computer aided design (CAD) and rendering, alongside, verbal, digital and written presentation skills. You will also develop your ability to present information in front of your peers, draw on computer-based skills, model in three dimensions, plan your time, gather information and communicate.

Design Context, Identity and Sustainable Responsibility (20 credit points)

• This module will focus specifically on the context of design, its role within society,  and on developing your own identity as a designer. You will develop your design thinking, exposing you to different design approaches and historical design context, enabling you to understand the many complex issues that impact on design, whilst enabling you to develop your own responsible design philosophy.
• Critical awareness and an ability to contextualise your individual approach will be the focus of this module , combining individual and team based activities, such as debates, seminars and critical writing/presentations, with the aim of underpinning your learning over this year.
• Exploring and analysing the rich archive of design history will develop your critical thinking. You will be encouraged to question and challenge preconceived ideas and articulate considered opinions on design. Understanding and exploring design responsibility and issues around sustainable design practice will be vital, alongside other key theories and concepts related to design, allowing you to contextualise your own practice.
• You will also focus on design identity, specifically advancing your awareness of the design profession. As such, you will consider your position as a responsible future designer, the opportunities available for designers, and developing your own identity within this field.

Design through Inquisitive Making (60 credit points)

• This module will focus on the iterative design process and develops your understanding of design through exploratory activities linked to design projects. The module focuses on a range of commercially-driven design projects and activities to provide a clear emphasis on the design profession. You will undertake a number of different projects, real-life ‘live’ briefs from industry and competition work, offering a clear work-like experience.
• Within this module you will evaluate your relationship with materials, making and design. You will develop your confidence and curiosity in experimentation and in an iterative hands-on design process. You will also be exploring concepts outside of your experience and challenge preconceptions and integrating theory and practice in an engaging, hands-on way.
• You will investigate the process of design through making within the context of a creative furniture and product design industry. You will apply practical skills and thinking developed concurrently, enabling you to develop and exploit your hands-on understanding of specific materials and design practices.
• You will draw upon the learning you gain across all modules when engaging in these projects in order to develop your own design practice. You will experience a range of design projects in this module and respond appropriately and sensitively to the needs of the user and the planet. The projects you work on will evolve your design thinking, developing your creative, intellectual and technical talents.

Professional Practice (20 credit points)

• This module will help you to contextualise your design studies in a professional remit. You will consider the broad view of the design profession, both historical and contemporary, and question where it is going in the future; along with reflecting on where you might sit within this profession. This will be supported by a work-like experience, framed by the Conversations on Design series delivered by industry professionals.
• You will develop your critical and analytical skills to justify and evaluate your design approach. You will also learn about key subjects areas such as design management techniques, IP, sustainability and commercial awareness and develop a keen awareness of the breadth of the design industry, and the roles and ethical responsibilities of designers, manufacturers and consumers.

Advanced Design Tools, Materials and Production (20 credit points)

• This module aims to further develop your practical design skills and expand your awareness of their varied application to develop your own design processes. You will acquire, consider and apply techniques and skills that are often attributed to the creative perspective of furniture and product design, at a more advanced level.
• Further develop your confidence in making processes and your empathy with materials, alongside an increased awareness of production processes. You will also be introduced to and develop an advanced language of communication skills which will enable you to enhance the work for your other modules; create your portfolio, CV, design work and other industry facing material.
• The skills you will learn will enable you to choose from a range of methods and different media so that you can develop and express your ideas in an articulate and confident manner. These attributes are at the heart of design, as key tools for the designer, and will be practically applied within the Projects module. Ultimately, this module will help you with future employment opportunities in the design field.

Sustainability, Materials & Processes (40 credit points)

• This module will build on the knowledge, skills and attributes you have learnt in the first year of your studies and develops them to give you the confidence to practise as a furniture and product designer within the parameters associated with the profession. You will be encouraged to take risks, explore and experiment, alongside questioning the global context and contemporary issues that affect design.
• Central to the module are a series of design projects for which you will be given design briefs, some live with industry,  with real time deadlines. The focus of these projects relates to significant issues designers commonly face in their work; such as materials, processes, ergonomics, sustainable practice,  and changing technologies, culture and commercial markets. You will be expected to realise the full format of a designer’s outputs i.e. design concepts, sketches, renderings, models, prototypes, technical reports, technical drawings, CAD work, and simulations to an industrial and commercially accepted standard.
• Projects will be ‘live’ industry-based briefs, providing experience in dealing with live briefs, clients, and commercial needs, and offering a clear work-like experience. You  will also develop your knowledge of sustainable design practice models as diverse as design for production, through to consultancy, freelance entrepreneurship, open-source, and design activism.Theoretical and practical knowledge relevant to furniture, product and wider design subjects, encountered in the other Level 5 modules, including consideration of sustainability, cultural challenges, resources and material usage, will inform your project work.
• Insightful research, intelligent exploitation of materials and process, and iterative development through prototyping are key activities within this module.In general terms, this module will enable you to develop your unique creative problem-solving abilities in response to increasing problem complexity.

Exploring Materials and Processes (20 credit points)

• This module gives you the opportunity to explore and research a subject of your personal interest (based on course themes). The key outcomes of this is a research portfolio where you outline the research and key findings, trends and ideas that forms the thinking for your elective project work.
• You will experiment with materials and process, exploiting newly discovered behaviours in intelligent and appropriate ways. Curiosity and passion for material manipulation will open possibilities to new sustainable design territories.The research document will focus your thoughts and plans for that which you intend to design and produce a body of work for later in this year. It also stipulates the plan for the project; specifically, the direction and choices you wish to make during the project.
• The format of your research portfolio could be written piece, a visual essay, a film, or a critique.Therefore the aims of the module are to promote in-depth knowledge and confidence of a particular subject, using a wide range of research skills.

Exploration & Context (20 credit points)

• The module gives you the opportunity to explore and research a subject of your personal interest that links to the self-directed project. The key outcome of this is a scoping document in which you present and discuss the research and key findings on topical, and relevant subjects of significance, that forms the thinking for your self-directed project work later on.
• You may choose the format, and a range of options will be discussed with you; these include: a standard written piece, a visual essay, a film, or a critique. Whichever format you chose, topics are individually negotiated and agreed with tutors in the initial stages of the module.
• The scoping document will focus your thoughts and plans for that which you intend to design and produce a body of work for the self-directed module. It stipulates the plan for the project; specifically, the direction and choices you wish to make.
• Therefore the aims the module are to promote in-depth knowledge and confidence in a particular subject associated with the broad spectrum of design, using a wide range of primary and secondary research skills; to gain extensive and exploratory experience in communicating complex issues in text, illustrations and words; to promote understanding of design as a complex activity; and develop the ability to research, evaluate and communicate its relationship to culture, society and technology.

Commercial Project (20 credit points)

• This module centres around live/industry-led design projects, and the choice to pursue different routes. It encourages you to explore, model, research, propose and develop ideas, concepts and products through a number of chosen and self-regulated projects. The synthesis of information, skills and learned knowledge will help you develop your portfolio and personal stance on contemporary design.
• You will be expected to draw upon the teaching and learning you have experienced over the previous years of study. As such, the process of learning at this level will be a highly personal one, supported by tutors who will encourage you to maximise your potential and create a portfolio of evidence you can take forward into the graduate marketplace.
• Your work will be driven by live industrial/commercial input and partners, developing real world solutions. The objectives of this module are therefore to promote the application of your skills, knowledge and understanding of design methodologies in the creative realisation of products, and to understand your own practise in a professional context.
• For this, you will work on a project for the first term. The project culminates in an assessed digital presentation and submission of development work.  The Commercial Project Element projects are, set by industry/commerce or recognised student competitions. Commercial Projects have been run with companies such as: Habitat, Made.com, Forpeople, Kinner Dufort, Howdens, Very, Shoe Zone, Design Innovation in Plastics, RSA, Starpack, Allermuir, The Conran Shop, Magis.

Self-Directed Project (80 credit points)

• There are distinctive features to this module, including the choice to pursue an individual direction. The module is broken down into three elements which are: Define & Develop, Process & Implement, Present & Reflect.
• This module encourages you to explore, research, propose and develop ideas, model, develop concepts and products through a chosen, self-regulated projects. The synthesis of information, skills and learned knowledge will help you develop your portfolio and personal stance on contemporary design.
• As a final year module, you are expected to draw upon the teaching and learning you have experienced over the previous years of study. The process of learning will be a highly personal one, supported by tutors who will encourage you to maximise your potential and create a body of work you can take forward into the graduate marketplace.
• The objectives of this Self-directed module are therefore to promote the application of your skills, knowledge and understanding of design methodologies to the creative realisation of products, and to understand your own practise in a professional context.