Product and Furniture Design with Foundation

ADA3001
Materials, Methods and Media

Explore creative techniques using a range of hands-on materials and playful experimentation. You’ll dive into visual storytelling, image-making and design thinking to spark new ideas. Shape your own creative voice, tackle visual challenges, and learn to think deeply about your work.

ADA3002
Image, Type and Narrative

Dive into creative projects using analogue & digital tools to explore how images and words work together. You’ll build your own ideas, experiment with different styles and techniques, and develop a portfolio of creative outputs. As the module progresses, you’ll take the lead in driving your work through hands-on discovery and independent thinking.

ADA3003
Risk and Resolution

Build your creative confidence by planning and presenting a final project and exhibition linked to your chosen degree. You’ll explore your strengths, work independently, and develop ideas through research and design, readying you for your next steps in art and design.

ADA3004
Critical Themes in Art and Design

Discover how art and design theories and practices have changed over time. You’ll explore key ideas, movements and media, and learn how to research, write and present your thoughts. This module helps build your confidence in thinking critically and prepares you for future creative study.

FAPY100
Stage 1 Placement Preparation 0 credits

This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking a company placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

PFD400
Product and Furniture Discovery, Exploration, Enquiry and Culture 80 credits

Through the development of a portfolio of project work, Product and Furniture Design is introduced relative to the varied nature of three-dimensional design. Studio practice is linked with historical, cultural and critical contexts. Processes of discovery, exploration and enquiry introduce specialist design knowledge, core skills and stimulate reflection. The module informs the student’s choice of areas of specialism to develop further within the subject of Product and Furniture Design.

TDD400
Introduction to Studio and Workshop Practice 20 credits

Students will be introduced to the wide range of materials and processes available to them as designers, and will have the opportunity to develop workshop skills in the selection and processing of materials. Students will also be introduced to CAD and digital presentation software and gather a wide range of presentation skills to develop their confidence and ability to communicate confidently, effectively, clearly and efficiently.

TDD450
Design Carousel 1 20 credits

This Level 4 module runs in parallel with a Level 5 module, enabling collaborative cross-year interdisciplinary learning. It provides the opportunity to choose a project brief from a range of options to stimulate reflection of individual disciplines and specialisms, and adds breadth to individual portfolios. Working with senior peers enables the acquisition of new skills and knowledge, and establishes cross year interdisciplinary peer learning opportunities within the design studio.

PFD500
Product and Furniture Specialist Exploration and Culture 40 credits

This module develops specialist knowledge and professional practice skills in Product and Furniture Design. It develops making skills, design awareness, aesthetic judgement and approaches relating to self-determined practice or live project briefs. The module includes Design Culture exploration of major issues and concepts affecting design with the development of research, critical evaluation and contextualisation skills as a primer for Level 6 dissertation modules.

PFD501
Product and Furniture Specialist Skills and Progression 40 credits

This module develops specific skills, knowledge and understanding relevant to the practice of Designer Makers and Designers for Industry. Project work develops practical and digital skills in 2D and 3D, knowledge of materiality and the relationships between people and products, and associated contextual and cultural issues relating to contemporary design practice.

TDD550
Design Carousel 2 20 credits

This Level 5 module runs in parallel with a Level 4 module to enable collaborative cross-year interdisciplinary learning. It provides the opportunity to choose a project brief from a range of options to stimulate reflection of individual disciplines and specialisms, and adds breadth to individual portfolios.Working with junior peers develops interpersonal and organisational skills valued by professional practice, and sustains peer learning opportunities within the design studio.

TDD560
Common Challenge: Interdisciplinary Design 20 credits

This module celebrates the interdisciplinary nature of professional design practice and acknowledges the role designers can play in addressing the big challenges posed by complex sustainability themes and issues relating to global society, culture and ecology. Interdisciplinary teams contribute to a series of Design Sprints inspired by a proposed theme or issue to produce individual and group work.

TDD500
Stage 2 Placement Preparation 0 credits

This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed build on the Stage 1 Placement Preparation module and to assist students in their search and application for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

TDD651
Design Industry Placement / Exchange

A period of professional training of 24 weeks or more spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company, or 2 semesters of study with an overseas partner institution. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant external experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

TDD606
External Factors and Feasibility 40 credits

This module encourages students to challenge and develop their professional practice skills, and their emergingdesign identity, by conducting distinct projects concurrently. A significant external project brief and a self-initiatedproject brief develop a platform of knowledge and experiences on which the character of their graduating portfoliowill be based.

TDD607
Major Project 40 credits

Students identify, plan, evolve and review a summative design project in the programme and awardspecialism. It allows a substantive body of work celebrating all the learning outcomes and specific skills setsattained. The project culminates with a 1 to 1 viva with an external examiner and a degree showexhibition.

ADA601
Research Project

Examine how research underpins creativity and innovation in art and design. Explore key methodologies for creative inquiry, while developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and original exploration. Build confidence in forming research questions, investigating ideas, and articulating findings with clarity and depth.

PFD600
Product and Furniture Consolidation

This compact module offers students the option to develop their professional practice skills to a higherlevel. Professional and creative attributes are developed to prepare students for the evolving future ofdesign practice. Sustainability principals are blended with increased knowledge and understanding ofbusiness and project management issues relevant to areas of specialism within Product and FurnitureDesign

TDD600
Extended Dissertation 20 credits

This module offers students the option to develop an Extended Dissertation that builds on a proposal,structure and literature review generated within the Critical Practices module. It provides the opportunityfor extended in-depth research and to write an illustrated dissertation. Students use their creative andanalytical skills on a concentrated topic area, with a word count of 8/10k