A short description of each unit and what you can expect.
Year 1
Unit 1 - Introduction to BA Product and Furniture Design
This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.
Unit 2 - Product and furniture design methods and processes
This unit aims to establish a practice-based approach to the designing and making of objects.
- Have an introduction to the tools and techniques of making processes in wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, digital
- Develop your drawing and model making skills needed to process and communicate ideas
- Begin to develop your own visual language through the practice and evaluation of research
Unit 3 - The anthropology of the object
This unit introduces you to the relationship between users, objects and environments.
- To consider how objects are constructed and how they support different kinds of user interaction
- To undertake detailed observations of people using objects in everyday contexts
- To explore and evaluate the existence, meanings and purposes of those objects, both in relation to the individual and larger social groups
- To develop and make a series of material prototypes that test use and user understanding
Unit 4 - Form, function and ornament
The aim of the unit is to investigate the relationship between your personal identity as a design practitioner and objects.
- To design and make a series of objects
- Your design development work will include 2D/3D visualisations, technical notes, sample materials tests, models, prototypes and finished objects
- To photograph the finished objects in context
- Produce a report on the successes and shortcomings of your design work
Year 2
Unit 5 - Design proposals 1
In this unit you will engage with external partners and apply your ideas in a real world context.
- To be asked to develop concepts for a design object in a domestic, commercial or community context
- Your project might be a competition brief, an initiative from industry, work for a charitable organisation or social services. They may include design problems concerning health and wellbeing, leisure and cultural capital, education or food consumption
- To consider function, sustainability and activity
- To produce an illustrated report communicating the results of your design practice and a record of professional presentations
- Design development work will include including 2D/3D visualisations, materials tests, models and prototypes
Unit 6 - Collaborative and collective practices
This unit aims to introduce you to different ways in which collaborative working can focus and enhance your own creative strengths. This unit has 3 core purposes:
- To engage with fellow students with different practices and interests in a collaborative project
- To engage with external audiences, participants or institutions to consider new contexts for your work
- To develop your creative attributes to enable you to take on future challenges in a variety of contexts
Unit 7 - Design proposals 2
This unit looks at the way in which a site-specific design proposal can be conceived, developed and adapted.
- To examine issues of scale, function, narrative and location
- To consider audience engagement, interaction, social conduct as well as client needs
- To gain an understanding of the users, client and audience by working on a range of concepts and prototypes
- To produce a design proposal report, design development and material evidence
Unit 8 - Ecologies of action
The unit will include an external group project. You will work collaboratively on an event or exhibition.
- Lectures covering project briefs, concepts, project working methods, site analysis, site specific practice, visitor and user analysis methods
- Site visits that will include discussions with venue staff
- Workshops, presentations and crits
- Production of prototypes and a finished object
Year 3
Unit 9 - Critical practice 1 - The reflective practitioner
This unit aims to encourage a critical understanding of the historical, cultural and global contexts within which design practice operates.
- An illustrated contextual research essay or written project that communicates your understanding of the design arena
- A studio design practice project
Unit 10 - Critical practice 2 - Design futures
This final unit requires you to integrate your practical, professional and critical position into a resolved body of work.
Professional Practice Project:
- To help you develop an awareness of the range of career and postgraduate opportunities available
- To produce a professional practice report and research file including a professional action plan and personal promotional materials
Final Major Project:
- To write a proposal for a final major project
- To produce of a substantial body of work presented to a professional standard
- The work you produce will form part of the college degree show
Optional Diploma between year 2 and 3
Between year 2 and 3 you can opt to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the UAL Diploma in Creative Computing. Whilst these Diplomas are an optional aspect of the course, they are designed as an integrated and assessed part of your journey through the course.