This degree allows you to develop strong design thinking whilst exploring your own creative focus. We encourage you to act through design to effect change, propose new visions of the future, and engage with sustainability.
Using an interdisciplinary approach to design learning, this degree allows you to develop your own creative approach to a multitude of design disciplines. The programme sets out to advance your ability to think creatively about the possibilities of design. You will be asked to engage with a diverse set of critical and practical ideas that will enable you to push traditional notions of design, including extending the practices in graphics, furniture, product, interaction, and multimedia design.
What you study
Studio practice and contextual studies will encourage you to draw upon a wide range of creative and theoretical influences, including contemporary design practice, design and art theory, literature, sociology, philosophy, anthropology and material culture.
In Year 1 you will examine and question the dynamics between people, places and things in order to discover new forms of design. The briefs are designed to promote creative thinking, allowing you to develop your own approach to design.
In contextual studies you will engage in theories and ideas around ecology, design history, psychology and semiotics. We will introduce some practical skills through Graphics, Image (photography), Textile and Making workshops.
In Year 2 you will engage with the responsibilities you have as a designer, including the dilemmas you may face when negotiating social, cultural, ecological and political terrain. Year 2 also acts to prepare you for your future career. Elements of your studio practice will be set by external design professionals and you will be asked to undertake a professional placement, where you work for one term within a design-related organisation. Students have worked with some notable companies and individuals on their placements, including Imagination, Pentagram, Droog, Studio Mariscal, Atelier van Lieshout, Denis Santachiara and Thomas Heatherwick Studio.
In Year 3 you will consolidate your design interests through a major project and contextual report. The year is dedicated to you understanding and positioning yourself as a designer. The year concludes with a degree show held in a top London venue.
For an explanation of qualifications, have a look at our IAG page on this site www.creativeway.org.uk/quals. You need to demonstrate post-16 study in art and design (a Foundation course, vocational A-level or a related NVQ Level 3) or be a GCE A-level student with a strong art and design portfolio. Mature students without formal qualifications who have relevant work experience and/or art and design work are also welcomed.
A Progression Agreement is a formal arrangement between two or more
education providers. It spells out what a learner needs to do to be
considered for a place on a named programme of study. Progression Agreements
may vary in the conditions they specify but they all aim to give guaranteed
pathways into higher education.
Advice on courses and careers:-
The Creative Way IAG team provides a specialist service for anyone
interested in finding out about courses and careers in the creative and
cultural industries. We can provide information direct to Students,
Parents/ Carers, Tutors and Careers Advisers via email, phone or organised
workshops and 1 to 1 sessions.
To find out more, visit our IAG page on this site on
http://www.creativeway.org.uk/IAG Or contact one of our career advisers: Matt Ball 07889 001764
m.ball@uel.ac.uk or Sarah
Comerford 07515 051509
s.comerford@uel.ac.uk