Interior Design (with Foundation Year) - BA (Hons)

Teesside University

You learn advanced digital design techniques, experimenting with form, space, texture and light as a digital entity. You develop a greater understanding of industry-standard software and rendering tools, enabling you to represent your design ideas in accurate 3D representations illustrating your appreciation of surfaces, objects, materials and illumination.

You develop your understanding of building a career in the creative industries through key skills in creative leadership, collaborative entrepreneurship and sustainability. You start with a theoretical introduction to these concepts and then work collaboratively on a group project to establish a creative business. You present your project and submit an individual reflective portfolio on your research and project experiences.

You look outside of the studio to observe, make links and understand situations ? considering how design can be a progressive force that impacts and improves lives and environments. You are introduced to the design of commercial spaces, extending your knowledge and appreciation of the variety of scenarios that design professionals work within.

From post war to the current day, the built environment is an area of rapid change and contextual debate. This module develops your knowledge of both UK and international design within historical, political, economic, social, technological and legislative contexts.

You develop your project management and collaborative skills within a practical entrepreneurial context, to an external brief or competition. You develop skills in project management, teamwork, managing interdisciplinary practice, applied research methods and the design process. Projects evolve from the analysis of problems and situations, allowing you to engage in work-related experiences and develop professionalism and self-management.

You investigate the ?surface? as being key to the design and furnishing of interior spaces and environments. Emerging interest and debate around the design of surface pattern, texture, tactility and considerations of ?materiality?, makes this a dynamic area of research and design. You take elements of print skills and explore the possibilities which lie within the use of rigid materials in combination with textile and wallpaper to create a bespoke collection for a given interior.

You develop your critical thinking and an understanding of current issues and debates in the field of building rehabilitation and conservation. You explore a variety of themes to extend skills in building research, analysis of existing buildings, independent study and communication as you investigate and develop ideas around the construction industry. You apply analytical skills to reflect upon and evaluate research through a minor design project, and through this iterative practice prepare a personal standpoint for progression towards your final major project.

Building performance and sustainability has become increasingly important in building design and refurbishment. You are introduced to the concepts and measurement of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and some of the design technologies that the process can utilise.

This module aims to enable you to bring your design project ideas to fruition, considering all aspects of research and development. You will be encouraged to demonstrate a high level of professional competence in the realisation of your projects and to have a deep understanding of the social and theoretical context in which you are practising. On completion of your design development and your completed final project, as a group you will organise your work for presentation in either a physical or online digital exhibition involving technical work, interior visualisation, model making and the specification of materials, furniture and finishes.

The selection, scope and focus of the final project is agreed through negotiation with tutors to ensure appropriate levels of complexity, rigour and acceptable ethical content. You explore and define the parameters of your own professional practice and research interests. You develop understanding and gain experience in research as both an academic discipline and as part of the creative process, leading to a final design project.

As spatial designers you work within the boundaries, contexts and histories of existing buildings and therefore need to develop skills in research, contextualisation, critical thinking and communication. You undertake extended independent research on a topic of personal interest within the broad field of spatial design.

You are introduced to the contexts of creative and design history, investigating problem solving and themes to inform your current studio practice. You research and learn to analyse ideas about past British and international styles, design and theory. This develops your understanding of the role of the designer, the meanings and vocabulary of space and design, and the relationship between design, society and the environment. You develop skills in research, analysis, communication and critical thinking, and produce and present interpretations of historical material.

Building on your skills in the design process, you develop a project portfolio directed towards your favoured design discipline, demonstrating your creative ideas, development and final concepts. You are encouraged to take a questioning, creative and innovative approach to design project work. You focus on experimental exploration, as well as challenging your ability to motivate and organise yourself to manage a design project and work to a deadline. This project culminates with a short presentation of your completed design work.

You are introduced to the creative design process and methods of researching and recording inspirational ideas which you can then develop for your own project work. You gather inspiration, stimuli and precedent ideas from a multitude of sources and sketchbooks ? these are key in developing and experimenting your design, helping you curate ideas and document your design activity.

You take part in a range of specialist studio activities. You investigate, experiment and explore pathways in fashion, textiles, graphics, interiors and product design. You study creative processes and develop independent project skills to help identify the specialist subject which best suits your interests and abilities.

You are introduced to a range of fundamental drawing approaches for a variety of purposes. Practical workshops include measured drawing, scale, composition and perspective as well as creatively using colour, materials and expressive mark making. These experiences increase your observational skills that help you visualise and realise ideas for potential design projects.

You further develop and deepen your knowledge gained from the induction programmes, enhancing your skills in model construction, prototyping, printmaking, and production analysis. You gain greater insight into the complexities of model construction and printmaking by working in detail with various materials, developing techniques and creative skills. This module is project-based ? you transfer your knowledge from lectures to hands-on demonstrations in a workshop environment. You primarily learn through producing models and prints from drawings.