This module will introduce you to: 

Interior Architecture and Design and the principles and strategies concerned with transforming existing buildings into new uses. You will establish the fundamental skills required for designing spaces, which you will continue to develop over the degree programme. You will explore design function and the social contexts of design through creative and lateral thinking, theory and making processes. You will learn to express your ideas through freehand and orthographic drawings, model making, digital software and CAD. You will start to understand some of the technical, practical, environmental, social and global principles involved in the making of buildings and interiors.  

Indicative content:  

You will undertake a series of small design projects and begin to understand some of the key issues that interior designers consider during the design process. Subject skills, knowledge and understanding are progressively and cumulatively acquired, refined and consolidated, and demonstrated by application within projects.  

The content of the module will typically include: 

• Scale, proportion, colour and texture 

• Problem-solving 

• Spatial relationships 

• Contextual basis of design relating to space, form, volume and proportion  

• Communication of ideas through different media 

• Group and individual based research, collaboration and presentation 

• Practical workshops 

• Freehand drawing and sketching, rendering, orthographic drawing, digital software  

• Computer Aided Design 

• Relevant technical and environmental regulations 

• Exploration of tectonics 

One or more thematic design project(s) may explore: 

• Speculative and narrative design 

• Professional communication and representation 

• Materiality and use 

This is the level 4 work experience module and will enable you to work on an Applied Project.

Module Aim:

This module will develop your:

Knowledge and understanding of spatial strategies as you learn how to organise, plan and design interior space. Exploration of precedent studies from national and international contexts will emphasise the importance of learning from previous good practice to inform future design proposals. Through an applied design project, you will gain work experience as you collaborate with a range of external stakeholders. Through these projects you will develop your knowledge of professional design practice. You will explore how spaces feel, how they are organised and how they might enrich the lives of those experiencing them.  

You will undertake a series of small design projects and begin to understand some of the key issues that interior designers consider during the design process.

A UK field trip opportunity may contribute to your wider understanding of design.  

Indicative content:

The content of the module will typically include:

• You will work with a client on an Applied Project and gain experience of collaborating with external partners
• Precedent studies will help you to learn from previous examples of good practice to inform future design proposals.
• Strategies for analysing existing buildings
• Strategies for creative thinking and idea development
• Develop a critical awareness of context and place
• Development of a visual language and aesthetic awareness
• 2D & 3D modelling, communication and presentation of ideas/ information using visual, digital, oral and written forms
• Participate in group/ individual design project work
• Practical and theoretical design research
• Presenting design proposals
• Organisation and time management

One or more thematic design project(s) may explore:

• Human centred design
• Speculative and narrative design
• Social Values
• Materiality and use

Module Aim:  

This project-based module will facilitate you to collaborate with others to tackle sustainable development challenges creatively. With the support of academics and external stakeholders, you will develop your collaborative, creative, communication, and presentation skills. Through multi-disciplinary project work, you will develop an informed and imaginative response to local and global sustainable development challenges. 

Learning will be blended and delivered through teaching, workshops, doing, and independent study individually and in groups.  

Indicative content:  

• Study and consideration of Sustainable Development  

• Exploration and utilisation of collaborative skills 

• Exploration and utilisation of design thinking and creative thinking tools  

• Project management 

• Creative research methods 

• Understanding audiences 

• Communication and presentation skills 

• Working with others, building relationship including with external stakeholders 

• Critical thinking and reflection 

This module will develop: 

Knowledge and understanding of the design, planning and organisation of interior spaces used for hospitality and leisure. You will transform an existing building so that it can be reinvented for a new use and explore strategies for the introduction of new elements into the existing space. For your proposal to satisfy its functional requirements, you will consider volume and form, the proportion, proximity and relationships of spaces and their connection to each other.   

An academic piece of writing will relate to your wider design practice, and you will develop professional communication skills utilising a range of media and techniques. 

Indicative content:  

You will undertake a design project and be introduced to key issues that interior designers consider during the design process.  

The content of the module will typically: 

• Explore society and engage with design / globalisation / digital cultures  

• Interpret contextual factors that inform the design development process 

• Develop conceptual ideas whilst establishing a narrative that engages the user’s interest. 

• Planning strategies and approaches to determine and organise interior spaces.  

• Materials and technologies in relation to building interiors 

• Communicate complex spatial issues through diagrammatic, orthographic and freehand drawing and models.  

• Design development using studios, workshops and IT. 

• Collaboration with subject specialists. 

• Discuss and present ideas in a range of settings  

• Project management and multi-tasking 

• Development of research and writing skills evidenced in your Theory Portfolio.  

This is the level 5 work experience module and will enable you to work on an immersive Enhanced Applied Project alongside external stakeholders.  

Module Aim:

This module will develop your:

Knowledge and understanding of the design and organisation of interior spaces used for commercial, educational and/or community purposes. Working on an Enhanced Applied Project with significant exposure to external partners, national and internationally, will enable you to respond to live project requirements. Establish methods for translating the client and/or user needs into a range of appropriate spaces. Explore spatial relationships and 3 dimensional spatial compositions to determine the approach towards the new interior.

This module also includes preparation for sandwich placement success including the Applied Diploma. You will be supported to plan and organise an extended period of professional enhancement that will prepare you for professional life.

Indicative content:

You will undertake a design project and explore key issues that interior designers consider during the design process.

The content of the module will typically include:

• Engage in work experience through an Applied live project engaging with a client/s and address their briefing requirements or a competition brief with an external focus.
• Exposure to the work environment through studio visits to design practices
• Autonomy to liaise and negotiate with organisations and clients in order to understand and define the project brief
• A field trip opportunity may contribute to your wider understanding of design.  
• Explore society and design / globalisation / digital cultures
• Interpret contextual factors that inform the design development process
• Develop conceptual ideas whilst establishing a narrative that reflects the client’s requirements.
• Planning strategies and approaches to determine and organise interior spaces.
• Materials and technologies in relation to building interiors
• Communicate complex spatial issues through diagrammatic, orthographic, freehand drawing and models.
• Collaboration with subject specialists.
• Understand how designers work, professional bodies and organisations, the role of designers in a commercial or professional context
• Careers Readiness Portfolio (CRP) - Develop the tools and career searching skills that you need to find work in the creative industries and use this to plan and organise an extended period of professional enhancement that will take you beyond the confines of the university as a preparation for professional life (4-year sandwich route).

Module aim:    

The aim of this module is to enhance students’ professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s).  

A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. The placement will: 

• Allow student to apply the skills, theories and behaviours relevant and in addition to their course 

• Enable students to enhance their interpersonal skills in demand by graduate employers – communication, problem solving, creativity, resilience, team work etc.  

• Grow their student network and relationship building skills. 

• Provide student with insights into the industry and sector in which their placement occurs 

• Help student make informed graduate careers choices. 

Indicative Content:  

In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.  

Their personal Placement Academic Supervisor (PAS) will be their key point of contact during their placement and will encourage and support students to reflect on their experience, learning and contribution to the organisation they work for.  

To demonstrate gains in professional development, students will be required to share their progress, learning and achievements with their Placement Academic Supervisor and reflect on these for the summative piece of work. 

This module will develop: 

Knowledge and understanding of the design and organisation of architectural spaces used for arts and culture developed through contextual and cultural research. You will transform an existing building into a place for public assembly and explore strategies for architectural expansion. For your proposal to satisfy its functional requirements, you will consider volume and form, the relationships of spaces, materiality and regulatory constraints.   

You will utilise a range of advanced professional communication techniques to convey your design work, this will be supported by an in-depth piece of academic writing showing your research, design development and knowledge of professional practice in greater depth. 

Indicative content:  

You will undertake a design project and be introduced to key issues that interior and architectural designers consider during the design process.  

The content of the module will typically: 

• Analyse society and design / globalisation / digital cultures  

• Interpret contextual factors that inform the design development process 

• Develop detailed conceptual strategies whilst establishing a narrative that engages the user’s interest. 

• Planning strategies and approaches to determine and organise interior and architectural spaces relating to context and program.  

• Analyse and understand the possibilities and constraints for the architectural expansion of an existing building. 

• Develop detailed information with regards to materials and technologies in relation to architectural spaces. 

• Communicate complex spatial issues through diagrammatic, orthographic and freehand drawing and models.  

• Design development using studios, workshops and IT. 

• Collaboration with subject specialists. 

• Discuss and present ideas in a range of settings to diverse audiences.  

• Project management and multi-tasking 

• Development of research and writing skills evidenced in your Design Report 

This is the level 6 work experience module and will enable you to work on a Consultancy, Employer Led Scholarly Research project.  

Module Aim:  

This module will develop your ability to: 

Engage with industry professionals to gain meaningful work experience and knowledge of professional design practice. This is likely to involve consulting external stakeholders as well as collaborating internally with subject specialists and peers to explore diverse perspectives and iterate ideas. Apply advanced knowledge and understanding of the detailed design of architectural spaces linked to your personal research and career aspirations. Typically working with a selection of building typologies you will establish methods for translating the client and/or user needs into a range of appropriate spaces. You will develop a design agenda and spatial strategies to determine the approach towards the establishment and realisation of a detailed design proposal. You will expand your career readiness portfolio from previous years in preparation for professional life and utilise a range of communication techniques suitable for presentation at your degree show. 

Indicative content:  

You will undertake a design project and explore key issues that interior and architectural designers consider during the design process.  

The content of the module will typically include: 

• Engaging with industry professionals to gain meaningful work experience and knowledge of professional design practice 

• Development of a detailed architectural design project engaging with various building typologies. 

• Detailed research into society and design / globalisation / digital cultures  

• Critical analysis of contextual factors that inform the design development process 

• Develop detailed conceptual strategies whilst establishing a narrative that engages the user’s interest. 

• Planning strategies and approaches to determine and organise interior and architectural spaces relating to context and program.  

• Analyse and understand the possibilities and constraints for the architectural expansion of an existing building. 

• Develop detailed information with regards to materials and technologies in relation to architectural spaces. 

• Communicate complex spatial issues through diagrammatic, orthographic and freehand drawing and models.  

• Design development using studios, workshops and IT. 

• Collaboration with subject specialists. 

• Discuss and present ideas in a range of settings to diverse audiences.  

• Project management and multi-tasking 

• Understand how designers work, professional bodies and organisations, the role of designers in a commercial or professional context 

• Careers Readiness Portfolio (CRP) – Expand upon and develop the tools and career searching skills that you need to find work in the creative industries 

• Preparation of your final degree show exhibition, professional portfolio and online gallery profile.