Interior Design
About the Course
Interior Design has the capacity to alter and improve the world and spaces we live in. This degree programme equips you with the necessary skills to allow you to enter the fast paced and exciting world of interior design.
What you will learn
You will learn how interior designers work and develop your own skills and attributes for entering the industry. The particular focus in this programme is not only the architectural and constructional elements of interiors but also the decorative and styling aspects, which is reflected in staff expertise.
What you will study
You will study a variety of topics on this degree, incorporating both 2D and 2D work. Topics include space planning, drawing for interiors, computer aided design, technical awareness, model making, colour and materials. You will design interiors for a variety of end uses, from hotels and homes through to exhibitions and commercial spaces.
Level 1
Critical studies, Colour, Finishes and Texture.
Drawing for interiors, materials, CAD skills.
Work-based Learning Project.
Level 2
Design Restraints, Marketing, Global interiors
Group Enterprise, Major Project, CAD Analysis
Level 3
The award has three strands to it: firstly a personal negotiated major design project throughout the year; secondly professional development and career planning; and finally design theory and history relating to interior design.
Special Features
Live Projects
Where possible design projects will have a live element in them, for example working on live sites for large scale developers, delivering ideas and presentations to real clients and experiencing site visits whenever the opportunity arises. Current students are working with mentors on live projects with local businesses in Bolton, gaining planning permission for retail spaces.
Visiting Speaker
Our expensive links with industry mean there are many opportunities for us to invite industry guests to give lectures, talks and even attend critiques.
Specialist Equipment
We have the latest industry software which is updated each year to insure you remain current.
Site visits
Throughout all levels there are opportunities to join us on visits from working sites, finished marketed schemes to manufacturers and interesting interiors over various different sectors. Often designers, architects or clients will accompany us around the sites.
Placements
Students who wish to embark on work placements with industry, are always encouraged and due to our designers at work module and professional practice module are well prepared to enter industry.
Exhibitions
The university provides the opportunity for our students to host their own industry exhibitions at the end of the course which is always well attended and a very exciting occasion to network. We also encourage ad hoc shows within design modules to give you the experience of presenting work professionally.
Careers and professional development
Skills learned on the course are both subject specific and interpersonal. For the latter, employers want graduates who can demonstrate their ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, to give presentations and write reports, and to come up with creative ideas. Specifically in the field of interior design the skills you learn on the course will be relevant to your everyday working life, from drawing and colour work though to dealing with builders and clients.
You will gain an awareness of historical and global influences, become aware of relevant legislation, and learn about the properties and use of the multitude of materials used in interiors. As with any Foundation degree course, work-based learning is crucial and will be developed through live projects as well as learning in the workplace.
The types of jobs Foundation degree graduates will aspire to include interior designers, space planners, CAD technicians, project managers, visualisers, interior/display stylists, and visual merchandising designers. Those jobs can be found in the hotel and leisure industries, retail, theatres/film and commerce, either in the public or private sector.