BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces
Course summary
BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces is a professionally focused interdisciplinary design course that will equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge to create multi-sensory, interactive, scenographic spaces, events and experiences.
Five reasons to apply
- Be part of an expanding field: You will learn to design innovative solutions for a broad range of contexts placing you at the forefront of the rapidly expanding field of experiential design.
- Cutting-edge discipline: BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces offers dynamic and wide ranging opportunities to integrate design practices across a wide range of commercial, cultural, public and urban contexts.
- Leader in its field: The course is future facing and critically engaged. You will learn how to explore the power of design to transform and enrich audiences’ experiences in a socially and environmentally conscious mindset.
- Professional networks: You will work on live and collaborative briefs with clients and project partners such as brands and organisations, work with students from other disciplines and designers and design studios. Students can also apply for the Diploma in Professional Studies to spend a year working in industry between year 2 and 3.
- Knowledge and skills: You will learn research and design methods alongside digital skills, materials and technologies, to develop your contextual knowledge and advance practices of design for branded spaces creative disciplines.
How to apply for BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces
Course Leader Valerie Mace talks through how to apply to BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces.
Student work
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Image © Joanna Sawicka, Angelika Wresinska and Yingru Liang -
Image © James Cox -
Image © Valerie Mace -
Image © Valerie Mace -
Work by Qiongzhi Zhu -
Concept for a branded space for Catapult Future Cities, by Yiping Zhang -
Installation design schematics by Qiongzi Zhu -
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Student voices: Calvin Lok
Calvin talks us through his project for the Design for Branded Spaces pathway, Spatial Design.
Student voices: Priyansha Jain
Priyansha talks us through her branded space project in the LCC Degree Shows 2016.
Student blogs
Course stories
Facilities
3D Workshop
View images and find out about the range of tools and technologies on offer.
Printing and Finishing
Discover our printing techniques, from Lithographic Printing to Print Finishing and Bookbinding.
The Digital Space
The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.
Course details
BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces recognises the need for innovative experiential spaces that connect brands with the desires and imagination of consumers, customers, visitors and audiences. It is aimed at students who are interested in working as creatives in brand experience design, event and production design, exhibition design, public art or retail design.
Students experiment with narrative techniques, interaction principles and emergent technologies to design immersive spaces with deliberate atmospheres and brand values. Designs incorporate sustainable and human-centred principles while speculative design techniques are used to develop intelligent ways to anticipate future needs and provide solutions to future challenges. Design and cultural theories underpin design practice to enable students to critically explore the global and local contexts of design for branded spaces.
Professional Practice and an optional Diploma in Professional Studies also provide a platform that connect students with industry practices and professional contexts. We believe it is important for students on the course to have access to a network of professional organisation, design practitioners and industry focused project briefs.
Graduates find work as 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 and Bankside Urban Forest in London, Tinker in Holland, Snarkitecture in New-York, Mona Kim Design in Paris, Wonderwall in Japan and BBH Singapore. We also work with the D&AD, an organisation that promotes design and creativity around the world.
Some graduates will go onto to study at postgraduate level at LCC and beyond.
What can you expect?
Innovation, curiosity, creativity and the articulation of ideas through experimentation are central to the course experience. We will encourage you to see things differently and to design solutions that are unique to you both in concept and realisation.
You will 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 will be taught by an inspiring community of experienced designers, technical specialist and theorists, in addition to visits from guest lecturers. You will also benefit from key thinkers and practitioners working across boundaries and at the cutting edge of their disciplines.
Diploma in Professional Studies
The Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) is an optional year-long learning opportunity, allowing you to undertake a variety of internships and professional experiences for a whole academic year in Year 3, as part of a four-year degree. It is a managed year of professional experience largely undertaken in the design profession in a variety of national and international locations.
Successful candidates are selected on a competitive basis from academic performance and studentship, successful completion of the DPS bridging studies and by portfolio and proposal.
Please view the Diploma in Professional Studies Programme Specification (PDF - 164KB) for more details.
Course structure
The academic year for this course is divided into 2 blocks.
The 1st block is of 15 weeks’ duration from early October 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 four week holiday for Easter.
Showcasing your work
All students are advised to set up a profile on portfolio.arts.ac.uk, UAL’s portfolio platform, which can be done at any point during your time at LCC and will last for up to 12 months after graduation.
This platform is often used to source student work for promotional use on the website, social media and for print and can be a great way of getting your work seen.
Course units
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
Units summary:
- Introduction to Design for Branded Spaces (20 credits)
- Interactions in Branded Spaces (40 credits)
- Contextual and Theoretical Studies 1 (20 credits)
- Branding and Spatial Identity (40 credits)
In the first year, you will learn principles of experiential spatial design, brand values and interaction, alongside essential skills and knowledge to navigate through the course and College environments.
You will be introduced to key research and design methods, analogue and digital design tools and techniques, and the theories and debates that will give you the confidence to generate and articulate design solutions.
Year 2
Units summary:
- 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, critical and analytical skills to collaborative and live projects while developing your knowledge of professional practices.
You will further extend your knowledge of experiential spatial design into narrative space and utilise forecasting tools and techniques to learn how to anticipate future scenario where design is a catalyst for change. You will also develop a broader knowledge and understanding of historical, social, practical, theoretical and cultural developments.
Year 3
Units summary:
- Design for Branded Spaces Major Project (60 credits)
- Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 (40 credits)
or - Contextual and Theoretical Studies 3 with Practice (40 credits)
- Entrepreneurial Practices (20 credits)
The third year aligns with your desired progression after the course. You will apply creative design, critical thinking, technical knowledge and the skills developed in years one and two into an extended personal design project, with the opportunity to take part in an international design competition.
You will 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 will also expand your knowledge of professional practices.
Teaching and learning methods
The BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces is a practice-based professionally oriented course, which combines theory and practice in a project-led curriculum using interdisciplinary perspectives. The curriculum has a professional focus with a strong emphasis on the development of branding and experience design practices for brand spaces mediated by technologies, strategic thinking and speculative design methods.
The course reflects current knowledge, debates and issues within the discipline and also explores future developments, providing students with the ability to anticipate future needs. The course incorporates professional practices and strategic thinking, which combined with an innovative and entrepreneurial mind-set, gives students the knowledge, confidence and competitive edge they need to successfully follow their career path.
The course will use innovative pedagogies to enhance the student’s education development such as; maker faires/spaces, design thinking pedagogies, and by using personal learning networks as means of connecting with relevant professional practitioners.
It also is taught using active teaching and learning methods, interactive lectures and large group learning, hands on workshops and peer-led seminar learning, individual and group tutorials, self directed learning, guest speakers, study trips, formative and summative assessment.
The course places an emphasis on collaborative practices, especially but not exclusively in year 2, where students can have the opportunity to work with students from other courses at LCC and other colleges/universities in the UK and abroad as well as with selected organisations/business/designers on live projects.
The course will implement the use of technologies to enhance learning. Moodle is used as a primary platform and complemented by UAL Teaching and Learning Exchange recommended apps.
Self-directed learning: students engage in independent study time, on or off site, to research, write and prepare for weekly activities and assignments, and to extend their subject knowledge and connections.
Assessment methods
The course outcomes are assessed using the following assessment methods:
- Practical project work.
- Computer based activities
- Prepared writing
- Responses to case studies
- Oral presentation
- Personal presentations of prepared work
- Simulations and role plays
- Workshop based activities
- Written research projects
- The creation of a portfolio of collection of work, which may contain a number of different elements
Changes to courses
Information provided by the University is accurate at the time of first publication. Courses, however, remain subject to change. Changes may be necessary to improve the quality of educational services, in order to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body, in order to bring course content in line with best practice activities across the Higher Education sector, in response to student feedback, and/or due to a lack of student demand for certain units or options.
Events may arise outside of the reasonable control of the University which lead to changes to courses. Such events may include industrial action, civil disorder, severe weather, and changes in applicable laws and/or safety requirements.
If you have accepted a place on a course, we shall notify you of any changes as soon as reasonably practicable.
Webpage updates
We will update this webpage from time to time with new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, if you have any questions, use this register your interest form.
Staff
Valerie Mace
Course Leader, BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces
Nela Milic
Senior Lecturer and Year 2 Contextual and Theoretical Studies Coordinator
Lucy Thornett
Lecturer, BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces
Associate Lecturers
Irene Martin
Christopher Lutterodt-Quarcoo
Kasia Piechota
How to apply
Opportunities for all
We are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and to supporting all of our students in achieving their potential both during and after their courses.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities. If you have a disability (e.g. mobility difficulties, sensory impairments, medical or mental health conditions or Asperger’s syndrome) we strongly encourage you to contact us on disability@arts.ac.uk or +44 (0)20 7514 6156 so that we can plan the right support for you. All enquiries are treated confidentially. To find out more, visit our Disability & Dyslexia webpages.
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 minimum entry requirements for this course are:
64 UCAS tariff points gained at GCE Advanced (A) Level or equivalent. (A-level subjects studied may include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences). Ideally your A-levels will be achieved at grade C or above.
Or
One subject at A-level achieved at grade C or above PLUS Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3/4).
Alternatively you will be considered if you have achieved a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points from one of the following qualifications:
- BTEC Extended Diploma
- UAL Extended Diploma in Art and Design
- Access to HE Diploma
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
- Equivalent EU or Non-EU qualifications
Additionally you will have achieved passes at grade C/grade 4 or above in at least three GCSE subjects.
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.
How we assess your application
Your application form is reviewed when you apply to the University. If you have achieved or expect to achieve the standard entry requirements we will invite you to submit a full portfolio. We make our offers based on the strength of the whole application, and therefore don’t routinely invite applicants to interview. To find out more, view our Undergraduate Application Process page.
Personal statement advice
This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in design for branded spaces and that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.
You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC.
You should ensure it is written clearly, and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.
State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.
Portfolio advice
Your portfolio of work is the most important part of your application, and you must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.
You are required to present a portfolio with a maximum of 20 images that you consider would help support your application.
Making your application
You must apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), where you'll need the following information:
- University code: U65
- Course code: W2T5
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
Making a deferred application (for entry in 2020/21)
Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.
Entry to Year 2 or Year 3
If you have successfully completed year 1 of a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at LCC, you can identify the point of entry as year 2 on your application, and consideration will be given by the course admissions tutor.
LCC will consider applications for entry at Year 3 in exceptional cases only.
Referral to alternative UAL courses
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
Erasmus
For further information on Erasmus and UAL exchange schemes, please visit the Erasmus and Non-Erasmus Exchanges section on the UAL website.
International applicants may apply through either of the following routes:
- Through overseas representatives in your country
- Through UCAS
- Through a direct application
If you are applying through UCAS you will need the following information:
- University code: U65
- Course code: W2T5
London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.
Further information on applying via UCAS is provided on the Applying through UCAS page.
For full details on the application process, visit the Undergraduate application page.
Making a deferred application (for entry in 2020/21)
Home/EU applicants are permitted to make a deferred application. International applicants are not permitted to make a deferred application.
Entry to Year 2 or Year 3
If you have successfully completed year 1 of a degree course at another institution and wish to continue your studies at LCC, you can identify the point of entry as year 2 on your application, and consideration will be given by the course admissions tutor.
LCC will consider applications for entry at Year 3 in exceptional cases only.
Referral to alternative UAL courses
The University operates a cross-referral system, where applicants can be considered for and offered a place on an alternative course, if the admissions tutor feels they are more suited to that course. If you wish to opt out of the cross-referral process you can do so at the application form stage.
Study Abroad applicants
International undergraduate students can apply to join BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student.
Visit the Study Abroad page for details of how to apply.
After you apply
Communicating with you
After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.
International applicants may be invited to interview in person at LCC, or via Skype if overseas or unable to attend. Details of this interview will be sent via the UAL Portal.
Immigration history check
International applicants, whether applying online via UCAS or through a UAL representative or by direct application, you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check, we will not be able to proceed with your application.
What happens next?
We will advise you of your application outcome through UCAS Track. If you are an International applicant and have applied directly or through an agent, we will notify you through the UAL Portal.
We invite all offer holders to come to London College of Communication to attend one of our Offer Holder events. Offer holders will have the chance to meet the team, find out more about the course, and see our diverse and vibrant student community in action.
Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.
Deferring your place
If you are offered a place for 2019/20 but wish to defer to 2020/21, information on how to do this and who to contact can be found in your offer letter.
International applicants will have to pay a deposit in order to defer. In all cases, deferred places will be held for one year.
Fees & Funding
Home / EU fee
£9,250 (2019/20).
Tuition fees for undergraduate degree courses have been set at £9,250 per year for full-time study. This applies from the 2019/20 academic year, subject to changes in the law.
Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students, in line with an inflationary amount determined by government.
Please visit our Undergraduate tuition fees page for more information.
International fee
£19,930 (2019/20).
Additional costs
In addition to tuition fees you are very likely to incur additional costs such as travel expenses and the cost of materials. Please read the information on our additional costs page.
Accommodation
Find out about the accommodation options available and how much they will cost
Scholarships and awards
There are a number of scholarships and awards available to students on this course. Use our search tool to find out more information.
Careers and alumni
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.