Year 1
Unit 1 - Introduction to Interior and Spatial Design
This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.
Unit 2 - Design practice 1
This unit consists of a small-scale, body-related interior and spatial design project, through which key spatial design skills are introduced.
- To explore how making, drawing, digital, film and animation skills are used to inform, develop and present design ideas and proposals.
- To develop methods to survey, map and record both physical and experiential site conditions, as a basis to propose new interventions.
- To focus on context, scale and site.
- To work individually and as part of a design team.
Unit 3 - Design cultures 1
This unit introduces historical, cultural and theoretical contexts for interior and spatial design.
- A project will involve the research and analysis of an influential interior and spatial design example. From this you will produce a scaled model for an exhibition.
- To begin to gain a critical understanding of how public and private spaces are composed within the built environment.
- To have an introduction to the narrative of space.
- Analysis and evaluation of written texts through workshops, lectures and presentations.
- Interactive workshops around research methods.
- To give a short presentation.
- Written work.
Unit 4 - Design media 1
This unit deals with the research, context, development and resolution of a spatial design project in response to a live project brief.
- To engage with a complex existing local site and its’ condition.
- There will be a focus on material and spatial organisation.
- To look at how a planning strategy can be used to organise a sequence of spaces.
- To carry out site analysis.
- To work individually and as part of a design team.
- To use digital media for design, presentation and communication.
- To develop prototypes of a scaled model and use orthographic drawings to communicate spatial ideas.
Year 2
Unit 5 - Design practice 2
This unit deals with the design of a spatial interaction at a human scale.
- To explore details in existing buildings.
- To explore the principles of building structure and construction.
- Interactive workshops on aspects of professional design practice and technology.
- To look at strategies for assessing and responding to human needs.
- To investigate material qualities, making processes and fabrication techniques.
- To present your design proposal.
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 cultures 2
In this unit you will explore a complex social, cultural and environmental spatial condition and develop a visual and written response to it. This is to deepen your understanding of contemporary theory and debates relevant to interior and spatial design.
- To explore various approaches to the analysis of space and interiors.
- Lectures, site visits and interactive workshops.
- Workshops on research and design methods.
- To explore buildings and archives.
- Tutorials to support your research and design process.
Unit 8 - Design media 2
This unit involves the design of an exhibition. It will involve the coordination of objects, materials and spaces, professional practice, the role of publicity and social media.
- To document, survey and analyse an existing architectural site.
- To communicate the design of a narrative environment for a diverse set of users.
- To produce a set of construction drawings to demonstrate an ethical and sustainable position.
- Workshops on aspects of professional design practice and technology.
Year 3
Unit 9 - Design cultures 3
In this unit you will produce an illustrated thesis, a visual essay and define a project brief demonstrating your personal position toward people, place and professional practice. These will inform your research and practice in unit 10.
- Workshops on research and design methodologies.
- Artists, designers and architects talks and lectures.
- Written work.
- Presentation of work in progress.
Unit 10 - Design practice 3
This unit will define your personal identity as a designer and pave the way to a professional career after graduation. This unit is designed to enable a highly-resolved body of work, demonstrating your full capabilities as a context-driven designer of spaces.
- Your design project to build upon the research and creative practice developed in unit 9.
- To work in a design studio group with other students who share common ground.
- To define the site, scale, user and scope of project in negotiation with tutors.
- To consider social, ethical and sustainable issues.
- To give a visual and oral presentation about your project demonstrating relevance to your personal research interests, professional practice and the discipline of interior and spatial design.
- To present work in 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.
