3D Design

Course Structure

Year 1

You will work on tutor initiated projects that examine the language of objects, their identity and how they communicate. You will be exploring how context affects the meaning and significance of a product. You will also investigate how it is possible to re-appropriate objects and designs, manipulating existing things to reflect your own individual concerns and ideas. Specialist workshops in a wide variety of materials and processes will enable you to realise and communicate your solutions effectively.

A series of key ideas lectures will introduce you to important debates and theories that underpin contemporary art and design. Through these you will be introduced to a range of strategies to help you develop a research methodology and reflective approach to your studies. An additional programme of visiting speakers, all practicing designers and makers, will introduce you to a broad range of contemporary work.

Year 2

You will negotiate a partially self-directed programme that allows you to develop your individual concerns, exploring the themes, concepts, processes and materials that best reflect your personal approach to the 'designed object'.

You will also explore the professional contexts of the designer-maker and examine the role of the user in the making of meaning. You may be asked to respond to competition briefs, devising your own briefs as well as those set by the staff.

Electives - This programme is undertaken by all 2nd year BA students and offers a menu of complementary studies that allows you to broaden your enquiry both in practical terms and in relation to critical and professional contexts. There is the opportunity to strengthen your practice, deepen a particular seam of critical enquiry and expand technical skills in specific media or processes. For example: sound, animation, philosophy, curating, performance.

Year 3

You will be planning, developing and realising your individual, self-initiated programme of study, and carrying out sustained practical and contextual research. Through a choice of dissertation, work placement or live project you will explore in depth the context within which you choose to locate your practice. You will develop your ideas using an appropriate research-based methodology and work towards a completed body of work, which will prepare you for ongoing study and professional practice.