Course structure
Foundation year core modules
Contextual Studies
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.
Portfolio Project
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.
Research and Analysis
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.
Specialism Project
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.
Thinking Through Drawing
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.
Thinking Through Making
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.
Year 1 core modules
Building Design: Structures and Technology
Interior architects need to develop an understanding of how buildings are constructed – the use of materials, legislation and regulation, and the programming of building projects. You familiarise yourself with the relevant regulatory texts and apply your learning and knowledge to a design exercise.
CAD: 2D Planning
You gain a foundation in computer aided design (CAD) work, an introduction to the use of computers as design tools, and shown how to use industry-standard software. You become familiar with 2D representations of space and identify the advantages and disadvantages in their use.
Design Project; Residential Space
You gain a basic understanding of the processes, methods of working and design communication involved within a practical interior design framework for a residential space. You experience the analysis of a given building space, understand the needs of a client and explore the translation of initial ideas into finished design proposals. The project takes you through a typical interior scheme from concept to completion.
Drawing Architecture
You gain the skills to visually communicate your design ideas using a variety of 2D and 3D architectural drawing techniques. Plans, elevations and sections are covered as well as calculating scale and introducing some rendering skills.
Making Architecture
You look at prototyping design ideas through 3D modelling and communicating with users and clients through making and constructed detailing. Technology is now available through laser and plasma cutting as well as Rapid Prototyping and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machinery – you explore these tools and their applications in the making of scale models as well as full scale end production.
MIMA History of Art, Design & Architecture
You are introduced to key art, design, architectural and cultural histories that are central to studying a creative subject. You explore a range of contexts and influences including art historical, ecological, critical theory, industrial, technological change, social and political movements, examining the changing face of art and design and informing your future research.
Year 2 core modules
Building Design: Analysis and Regulation
During this module you will analyse and compare the performance and design of selected existing buildings. You will consider the construction type and style, building performance and how it might conform to various parts of the Building Regulations. Aspects relating to the theme of sustainability will be covered and you will consider the application of state-of-the-art technologies.
CAD: 3D Modelling
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.
Career Context
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.
Design Project: Commercial Space
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.
Interior Debates in Context
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.
Spatial Office Practice
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.
Optional work placement year
Work placement
You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.
You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:
· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.
Final-year core modules
Building Rehabilitation
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.
CAD: Visualisation and BIM
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.
Major Project: Realisation
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.
Major Project: Research and Development
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.
Writing Architecture
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.
