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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces

student work showing a mock-up for a room in pink.

College
London College of Communication UCAS code
W2T5 Start date
Course length
3 years

On BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, we design spaces with something to say. You’ll be supported to explore new practices at the intersection of spatial design, storytelling and new technologies.

Course Closed

Please note: This course is no longer recruiting. September 2022 was the last intake of this course. View undergraduate courses at London College of Communication.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • Contextual understanding: We engage with evolving social and cultural values, global issues and local perspectives to create spaces with something to say; installations that immerse and inform; and experiences that engage with our complex contemporary world.
  • Professional skills: You’ll develop your skillset across areas ranging from visualisation (2D/3D drawing), communication (visual and verbal) and making (models, prototypes, 3D printing and laser-cutting) to software (SketchUp, AutoCAD, Cinema 4D, Adobe Suite, Unity) and emerging technologies (projection mapping and Augmented Reality).
  • Career pathways: This course will prepare you for careers across interior and spatial design, experience design (immersive spaces, installations, pop-up spaces, brand activation), retail design, and exhibition design.
  • Industry links: Our graduate destinations and brand partners have included Harlequin Design, Auditoire, Daedalian Glass Studios, Sybarite, Hirsch and Mann, George P. Johnson, the Stanley Kubrick Archive and Alexandra Palace.

Course overview

The course offers a distinctive opportunity to learn how to design experiential spaces, 3D installations and creative events. It is aimed at students who are interested in working as creatives in spatial experience design, brand experience design, event and production design, exhibition design and public art.

  • You will experiment with creative technology, multi-sensory design, storytelling techniques, interaction principles to design experiential spaces and environments.
  • You’ll incorporate sustainable and human-centred design principles to develop intelligent ways to communicate future needs and provide solutions to future challenges.
  • Design and cultural theories underpin design practice to enable you to critically explore the global and local design and cultural contexts.

What can you expect?

Innovation, curiosity, creativity and the articulation of ideas through experimentation are central to the course experience. We’ll encourage you to see things differently and to design solutions that are unique to you both in concept and realisation.

You’ll develop your creativity and design knowledge through a range of practical and theoretical design practices. A lively studio culture is enhanced by contextual studies and the development of professional practice skills – essential in the competitive workplace.

You’ll be taught by an inspiring community of experienced designers and specialists, in addition to visits from guest professional designers. You’ll also benefit from key thinkers and practitioners working across boundaries and at the cutting edge of their disciplines.

Work experience and opportunities

Professional and collaborative practice is integrated into the course and offers an opportunity for you to work with live briefs and collaborate with students from other disciplines, designers and organisations.

Graduates find work as spatial experience designers, in a creative design or events agency, within a brand in-house design team, as designers in an interior or architectural practice, as independent designers for retail, exhibitions, events or public art or as part of a design collective, working with other creatives on projects across the world.

Examples of design for branded spaces in industry include YourStudio, Dalziel & Pow, Wonderland Agency, Greyworld, Bankside Urban Forest, Tinker, Snarkitecture, Mona Kim Design.

Some graduates will go onto to study at postgraduate level at London College of Communication and beyond.

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications: 

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS): An optional, year-long learning opportunity which enables you to develop your professional skills by undertaking a variety of placements and industry experiences. Supported throughout the year by academics, you’ll build on the knowledge gained on your course in a range of national or international locations, and graduate with an additional qualification of Diploma in Professional Studies.

Diploma in Creative Computing: An optional, year-long opportunity which allows you to develop the computational skills that are shaping the future of the digital creative industries. After successfully completing the Diploma and the final year of your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree title: for example, BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces (with Creative Computing).

Course structure

The academic year for this course is divided into 2 blocks.

The 1st block is of 15 weeks’ duration from late September to mid-February. In accordance with the University timetable, there will be a four week holiday in December.

The 2nd block is also of 15 weeks’ duration from mid-February to the end of June with a three week holiday for Easter.

Mode of study

BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces runs for 90 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

We are committed to ensuring that your skills are set within an ethical framework, and we have worked to embed UAL’s Principles for Climate, Racial and Social Justice Principles into the curriculum and in everything we do.    

As part of this initiative, we’ve shaped our courses around social and environmental sustainability principles that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values to foster a more sustainable planet.  Our aim is to change the way our students think, and to empower you to work towards a sustainable future. 

In common with all courses at the University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits. 

Year 1

Introduction to Design for Branded Spaces (20 credits)
Brand Space Design (40 credits)
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1 (20 credits)
Interactions in Branded Spaces (40 credits)

In the first year, you’ll learn the principles of spatial experience design, brand identity, software skills, making and new technologies, alongside essential skills and knowledge to navigate through the course and College environments.

You’ll be introduced to key research and design methods, analogue and digital design tools and techniques, and the contexts that will give you the confidence to generate and articulate design solutions.

Year 2

Spatial Experiences and Narratives (40 credits)
Professional Practices (20 credits)
Collaborative Projects (20 credits)
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 2 (20 credits)
Branded Spaces Futures (20 credits)

The second year provides you with the opportunity to apply and expand your practical and critical skills to collaborate and work on live projects while developing your knowledge of professional practices.

You’ll further extend your knowledge of spatial experience design into narrative space and use forecasting tools and techniques to learn how to anticipate future scenarios where design is a catalyst for change.

You’ll also develop a broader knowledge and understanding of historical, social, practical, theoretical and cultural developments.

Year 3

Design for Branded Spaces Major Project (60 credits)
Entrepreneurial Practices (20 credits)
Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (40 credits) OR Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 with Practice (40 credits)

The third year aligns with your desired progression after the course. You’ll apply creative design, critical thinking, technical knowledge and the skills developed in years one and two into an extended personal design project.

You’ll apply your knowledge and analytical skills related to culture and critical theory to the realisation of a self-initiated piece of written work, with the option to integrate with practice. You’ll also expand your knowledge of professional practices.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Collaboration
  • Self-directed learning – independent study on and off site
  • Research
  • Interactive lectures
  • Large group learning
  • Hands-on workshops
  • Peer-led seminar learning
  • Individual and group tutorials
  • Guest speakers
  • Study trips
  • Technologies to enhance learning

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Graduate Showcase

  • Crafting Malton
    Crafting Malton, Rosie Mitchell, 2023 BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, London College of Communication, UAL
    Rosie Mitchell
  • Redesign Bio Living
    Redesign Bio Living, Sarabjit Singh, 2021 BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, London College of Communication, UAL
    Sarabjit Singh
  • Sträva Experiential Park
    Sträva Experiential Park, Noel Garland, 2021 BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, London College of Communication, UAL
    Noel Garland
  • Inclusive Retail Store by Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive
    Inclusive Retail Store by Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive, Naumana Khan, 2021 BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, London College of Communication, UAL
    Naumana Khan
  • ' Fight or Flight '
    ' Fight or Flight ', Ian Lau, 2021 BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, London College of Communication, UAL
    Ian Lau
  • Delicate and Strong
    Delicate and Strong, Kimberly Duya, 2021 BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, London College of Communication, UAL
    Kimberly Duya

  • See all work by this course on the Graduate Showcase

Student work

Course stories

Facilities

  • Student soldering in the Creative Technology Lab
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy

    3D Workshop

    View images and find out about the range of tools and technologies on offer.

  • Student soldering in the Creative Technology Lab
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy

    Creative Technology Lab

    A multi-purpose space that supports students with: Creative Coding, Physical Computing, Projection Mapping, Games, and Virtual Reality.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

Staff

Associate Lecturers

Irene Martin

Christopher Lutterodt-Quarcoo

Kasia Piechota

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970 per year

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

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Entry requirements

Home/EU/International

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

80 UCAS tariff points, which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:

  • A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4).
  • Merit, Merit, Pass at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, IT & Computing).
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Computing).
  • OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum 

And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors.

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

English Language Requirements (International/EU)

IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking (please check our main English language requirements page).

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

Selection criteria

The portfolio, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Visual language: quality of structure, use of line, shape - 2D or 3D, form, scale, space, light, colour, texture and time.
  • Ideas generation: quality of ideas and thought process, expression of design thinking.
  • Research and its application (including images from sketch books): evidence of investigation and use of appropriate resources.
  • Materials, media exploration and experimentation; experimentation and testing of materials to achieve outcomes.
  • Contextual awareness and its influence on the portfolio; understanding and application of subject knowledge and context.

Careers

Designing for Branded Spaces is a thriving industry with employment opportunities worldwide. Amongst many creative professions, BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces graduates can work in:

  • Brand Experience Design
  • Commercial and Public Design for interiors
  • Creative (general)
  • Events and Production Design
  • Exhibition Design
  • Experience and Interaction Design
  • Public Art and installation design
  • Retail Design
  • Spatial Experience Design

The Professional Practice unit in Year 2 and the Entrepreneurial unit in Year 3 will give you the vital skills and knowledge needed to launch your career.

You can apply for the Diploma in Professional Studies and spend a year working in the industry. This will enable you to gain experience, develop professional networks and actively prepare for your career after graduation. You may also want to progress onto MA courses at LCC, within the UK or abroad.

London College of Communication

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6500
Address
Elephant & Castle

London
SE1 6SB