BDes (Hons) Interior & Spatial Design

Through a carefully choreographed series of projects, you’ll explore the large and the small, the public and the private, the old and the new, the solid and the void. Specialist tutors in computer-aided design, technological studies and theoretical perspectives inform and support the core design projects. You’ll design interior and exterior spaces relating to a wide range of themes including social (e.g. schools, hospitals, libraries), commercial (e.g. retail, leisure, offices) and the arts (e.g. theatres, museums, galleries). The primary focus is to allow you to develop a sophisticated design language and an understanding of the relationship between space, form, structure and materials within the context of building purpose, the end-user and the wider environment. In addition to traditional skills such as drawing and model making you’ll learn to use specific design software (AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max) to articulate design ideas and design processes and to investigate the associated technical issues of design proposals. You’ll gain the skills to develop unique design ideas, establish rigorous design processes, deal with complex design issues, make informed judgements and communicate conclusions clearly to a professional audience. Design development is supported by research and experimentation and is augmented by conceptual, technical and regulatory studies as the course advances. In Year 3 you'll have the opportunity to study with one of our overseas partners in Europe, China, Australia or North America, or undertake a work placement. In the final year you’ll devise your major project, articulating an individual design philosophy and further enhancing your subject specific skills and knowledge. There is a strong studio culture supported by a multidisciplinary staff team of academics and industry-based practitioners. This course will provide you with the increasingly trans-disciplinary skills of the design profession and a thorough understanding of contemporary creative practice. You’ll also gain transferable skills in problem solving, planning, leadership, teamwork, communication and time management. Graduates are equipped with the collaborative, professional and computer-aided design skills required to operate in design practice and work in fields as diverse as exhibition and museum design, retail design, lighting design, design for responsive environments, exterior spaces and both commercial and residential interiors. This is a full-time course studied over four years. You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, studio projects and independent study. What you'll study Year 1 Foundation Interior and Spatial Design Visual Research Methods Foundation Digital Media Debates in Design Year 2 Interiors Studio Debates in Design Design & Business CAD (Construction & Detailing) CAD (Visualisation) Year 3 Interior Studio Design & Urbanism Lighting & Colour in the Built Environment Prototyping Interactive Experiences Design Research Methods Optional work experience or overseas study Year 4 You will undertake a major project and a dissertation. You will also study one module in professional practice and enter work into competitions. Work placement Optional supervised work placement or overseas study module in Year 3. Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study. You can view a list of all current modules in our module catalogue.