Product Design interview and portfolio advice
Find out how to prepare for your interview to study BA (Hons) Product Design or BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design at NTU.
Get some top tips from current NTU students.
What to expect ahead of your interview at NTU
As part of the application process you'll be invited to an interview with our academic teaching team. An important part of your interview will be presenting and discussing your creative portfolio.
We understand your experience will be unique to you as a creative individual so we've pulled together some useful advice to give you a better understanding of what to expect and what we're looking for. See our FAQs below.
If you have any questions before you prepare for your interview, contact adb.applications@ntu.ac.uk. Alternatively, you can call our Admissions Team on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Preparing for your interview
Your interview is nothing to be afraid of – its purpose is for you to learn as much about us as we learn about you.
The interview is first contact with our academic team and the start of your transition into university education. It helps us to decide whether we feel you are suitable for the course, and will help you to decide if this is the right course for you.
The focus of your time with us at this stage is for you to interview us as much as us interview you. This is your opportunity to discuss your concerns and queries relating to the course structure, NTU, Nottingham city or university life in general.
Your interview visit will be your opportunity to present your portfolio and discuss your skills, interests, and personal philosophies. The outcome of which will help us to support you in your aspirations on the course.
You’ll also have the opportunity to hear a welcome talk from and meet our subject team, and tour our facilities with our student ambassadors.
During the interview, we'll be observing a number of important things.
Commitment
- A good knowledge of the course and an understanding of its specific features
- Well informed reasons for your decision to study this course
- A high level of enthusiasm for the subject and ideas about career goals.
Critical understanding
- Evidence of critical thinking and knowledge of visual cultures
- An awareness of contemporary art and design issues related to product design
- An interest in exploring the wider context within which product design operates.
Communication skills
- An ability to articulate your ideas and opinions verbally
- Good interpersonal skills, such as listening and questioning.
How to prepare your portfolio
In your portfolio we'd like to see examples of project work that you've recently undertaken so that we can get an idea of the breadth of your critical understanding, your range of competencies within the field of design, and how you navigate the design process.
- Evidence of the development of a good quality design project from initial ideas through to finalised concept including examples of sketch work, prototypes, and a visualisation of the final project outcome
- Any art, design, or technology-related work you've undertaken
- Images from your sketchbook
- Photographs of models or 3D work you have produced
- Use of computer-aided design (CAD) software to develop or visualise your ideas
- Research sheets / idea development sheets.
We'd like to see:
- A range of quality visual concepts that demonstrate a high level of innovative thinking
- Good presentation and the ability to visualise and present ideas
- Your ability to handle a variety of technologies, materials and processes
- Evidence of experimentation in a range of visual medias
- Good observation skills in drawing.
Due to the reality that some applicants have worked on more design-focused projects than others, your focus may vary. What matters most is your potential and passion for the subject.
What to expect at your interview FAQs
You'll receive an email from NTU inviting you to interview. This email will outline the date, time, and location of your interview.
If you've been invited to interview for more than one Product Design course – e.g. both BA (Hons) Product Design and BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design – you'll usually only interview once. You'll attend a single interview where we'll assess your suitability for each course you've applied for.
Your interview will be an on-campus meeting with a member of our subject teaching team. When you complete and submit the booking form, you’ll be sent the details and instructions for your interview via email.
Please report to Maudslay Building reception (Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JS) at the University’s City Campus ten minutes before your confirmed interview slot. Visit our maps and directions pages for information on how to get here.
Please arrive ten minutes before your confirmed interview slot at our Maudslay Building reception (Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 5JS) at the University’s City Campus
This information will also be specified in your confirmation email.
If you’re travelling to Nottingham by car, we recommend you use the city’s park and ride services, as parking in the centre can quickly become expensive. We recommend that you use one of the following sites:
- The Forest (NG7 6AQ)
- Phoenix Park (NG8 6AS)
- Toton Lane (NG9 7JA)
Visit our maps and directions pages for more information.
Please allow for a maximum of three hours for all interview slots. During this time, you’ll be able to meet our academic team and tour our facilities with our student ambassadors.
Your interview itself will last up to 20 minutes.
Getting to know you and your passion for your subject area is really important to us. Equally, we want to you to come away from your interview having had all your questions answered - whether they are about your course, Nottingham, or general life at NTU.
You’ll have the opportunity to hear a welcome talk from and meet our subject team, and tour our facilities with our student ambassadors.
We want you to feel as comfortable as possible, so please wear whatever makes you feel so. Our interviewees generally dress in smart/casual attire.
Yes, there will be opportunities for your parents/guardians to find out more about the course and NTU.
If you are unable to attend an on-campus interview, please email adb.applications@ntu.ac.uk to make alternative arrangements.
If you're unable to attend your interview on the date and time that you have been allocated, please email adb.applications@ntu.ac.uk as soon as possible to request an alternative interview slot. Whilst we will do our best to accommodate date and time changes, due to the volume of applications, this cannot be guaranteed.
If you do not wish to accept the offer of an interview at all, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing adb.applications@ntu.ac.uk so that we are able to offer the place to another candidate.
If you don’t attend your interview, we’ll assume that you no longer wish to be considered. We’ll notify UCAS of your non-attendance and you’ll receive an unsuccessful decision via UCAS Hub.
We aim to get back to you with a final decision within three working days. You will need to check your UCAS Hub to view the outcome.
If you are unsuccessful you will be informed why through UCAS Hub. If you would like further details please put your request in writing to adb.applications@ntu.ac.uk and the interview panel will be happy to provide you with some more feedback.
Top tip – Remember to showcase your creative identity
Your interview and portfolio should represent your opportunity to exhibit your creative identity to us. We'd love to see examples of your creativity and individual approach to product design, as well as a demonstration of your passion for the subject.