3D Design and Craft BA(Hons)

Year 1

In the first year, core study modules in studio practice aim to develop material-specific skills and introduce fundamental ideas of design and craft.

Through four material areas (wood, metal, ceramics, polymers and composites) students are introduced to the processes and techniques of design and making. This is followed by a short period of self-directed study or a design project.

Concept development, context and the surrounding discussion on design and craft are led by overarching themes and project briefs increasing in depth of critical engagement, for example:

• culture of making – traditions
• consumption – resources and environment
• technology – materials and performance
• object and context – body, space and site.

Studio practice is integrated with a creative enquiry module introducing research methods in creative practice and delivering skills in visual communication, design development (drawing, representation, studio techniques such as technical drawing, model making, digital image and layout skills).

The first year programme of the 3D Design and Craft degree is also supported by professional practice, and design and craft culture.

Modules

• Making, Materiality and Processes

  The key questions ‘why make?’ and ‘how do we make?’ are investigated through a range of projects exploring materiality and process. You will be introduced to the course’s workshop areas, essential analogue/digital processes, working individually and in teams in response to these fundamental questions.

• People, Places and Context

  This module offers you the opportunity to explore design and craft within the given contexts People and Place. Projects are research-led and undertaken in conjunction with the continuing development of workshop skills.

  Utilising a range of different approaches, you will begin to investigate relationships between object, user and site. Professional practice elements help to locate yourself and your practice within a vocational context and introduce a range of transferable and employability skills such as teamwork through the group project and networking.

• Why Make? What Sort of Maker Am I?

  This module offers a period of study for you to situate your practice and determine what kind of a maker you are. It will give you the opportunity to consolidate and extend your knowledge and use of materials in preparation for level 5. You will define an area of enquiry to investigate building on your workshop experience to date. The module culminates in a student-curated exhibition.

• The Culture of Design and Craft

  This module will provide you with an introduction to a broad range of current key debates relevant to the analysis of the past and present in the field of design and craft. Through lectures, seminars and exhibition visits, you will be introduced to and engage with critical ideas and academic approaches relevant to your field of study.

  The module will support studio work through the development of critical thinking and formal written skills.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Xanthe Maggs, 2019 graduate, talks about studying a 3D Design and Craft degree at Brighton and her project using local clay.

Field trips and working outside the studio are an important part of the course.

Year 2

In year 2, students focus on specialisation and choice in materials and processes progressing their individual practice through a combination of research-led, issue-driven and live projects.

The aim is to develop advanced and in-depth knowledge from the materials base connecting historical and traditional techniques and processes to contemporary culture and innovation. Structured projects combined with live and research-led projects contribute to the formulation of personal development plans and research questions for the self-directed study and independent project work in year 3. Studio practice is supported by modules in professional practice and historical and critical studies. Students also have the opportunity to take a 20-credit option from across a wide range of our other arts and humanities courses. 

In year 2 you have the opportunity to apply for a student exchange to Nagoya University.

Modules

• Materials and Process: Professional Designing and Making
• Live and Engaged Making
• The Shape of Things: Design and Craft in Historical and Critical Perspective

• Option module from a wide range across our art subjects*

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Students meet iconic designer Ron Arad in his studio.

A design by award-winning student Luke Fuller.

Final year

Year 3 supports the development and management of independent learning.

You will develop a major independent body of work in 3D design and craft, supported by a rigorous body of creative enquiry research, a professional practice portfolio and an extended essay.

Modules

• Positioning and Establishing Practice
• Expansion and Resolution of Practice
• Historical and Critical Studies Research Project

Ash Lim with a piece from his 2018 final-year work, examining what people connect with on an emotional, physical or instinctual level.

Meet the team

Our staff are all practising artists, makers, designers and researchers, and bring their expertise and experience to your learning.

Jem Ryan, course leader

Jem has over 20 years’ experience in creative education. His specialist background is in three-dimensional design, making and ideation and his work is concerned with memory, making and meaning. As a teacher and curriculum innovator, he believes in setting up a learning environment and structure where learners can begin a facilitated journey to independence of practice.

His educational philosophy both as a lecturer and as a curriculum developer has therefore centred around the acquisition of a deep understanding of a creative working process and creative journey combining practical experimentation and reflective practice.

Find out about our other staff: Tanya Dean, Nick Gant, James McAdam, Louisa Taylor, Stefano Santilli and Avril Wilson.

Facilities

• The course has dedicated specialist workshops in wood, metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. All workshops are supported by specialist full-time demonstrator technicians.

• Equipment on the 3D Design and Craft degree includes lathes, band and dim saws, pillar drills, sanders, bag press, planers, TIG and MIG welders, forging, vacuum former, dome blower, milling machines, polishers, engravers, gas and electric kilns, Wheels, whirler, jigger/jolly, spray booth.

• Design Lab – flexible learning space for design-led teaching and hot desk spaces for design and non-workshop-based practice.

• Students also have access to the TECH HUB – a team of technical demonstrators based in Grand Parade who provide specialist creative software support including Adobe CC (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, After Effects etc) , Rhino, Blender and C4D, as well as web and blog-related software. They manage digital manufacturing services within the School of Art and Media, including laser cutting, 3D printing, CNC routing, plasma cutting and 3-axis CNC milling. They also have VR headsets and 3D scanners. The TECH HUB has its own dedicated PC suite with all of the software they support as well as standard university programmes.

• Spaces for group tutorials, seminars, critiques and exhibitions.

360 facilities tour
Take a look at our facilities.

Student views 

“It’s absolutely fantastic – the workshops have incredible facilities, and the tutors and technicians are just the best! All three years work together, so there’s just a great atmosphere in the workshops. After graduation, I plan to work as a freelance prop/puppet maker. I did work experience last summer making props at the National Theatre, and have been asked back to work freelance.” Annabel Lamby, 2019 graduate

"Studying at the University of Brighton has given me the opportunity to explore a huge range of materials and processes. The community the course attracts allows for an exciting and busy workshop atmosphere for discussion and debate, allowing for other ideas to be realised and to learn how your work is perceived." Luke Fuller, winner of the Business Design Centre New Designer of the Year Award at New Designers 2018

"I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to study on the 3D course as I get the feeling it's a one of a kind, and it offers such a wide range of ways to experiment with materials and concepts. I have also met an amazing group of like-minded people through studying at this university." Till Lightfoot Pendered, 2018 graduate

"The course at Brighton has been amazing, the people have been fantastic and I have felt really nurtured and embraced. Creatively, I have felt that I have been free to choose my own path and discover what I am truly interested in. Even the essay writing has been, for the most part, enjoyable!" Ash Lim, 2018 graduate

"The course has given me the opportunity to explore making with a variety of materials. The studio environment encourages experimentation, and creates an atmosphere where inspiring conversations of art, design and making often take place." Ting-Chiao Joyce Chang, 2018 graduate

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Portfolio advice 

We are looking for highly motivated and creative students with the ability to draw, imagine, be curious, think and make in three dimensions, experiment and take risks and apply research processes.

In your portfolio, we will be looking for a range of images which demonstrate:

• a curiosity and ability to develop your ideas through a range of media and materials and an ability to communicate your ideas
• an ability to think and make in three dimensions
• your potential to experiment, imagine, and explore ideas and techniques
• good hand skills using any materials/things to make models or finished 3D pieces.

Your portfolio should include 15–20 slides of images and or short moving images that demonstrates a range of art and design exploration including:

• process and journey – an ability to develop an idea from concept, through a process of experimentation and development, to the realisation of creative 3D outcomes
• an experimental approach to investigation and discovery of materials and 3D processes
• an ability to make in three dimensions
• an ability to draw and apply a range of visual communication techniques to developing and recording your ideas
• an ability to research and critically reflect on your work within sketchbooks and preparatory studies
• 3D / 2D work which you have undertaken independently (from set briefs/formal educational study) which further illustrates your interest in design and craft
• a sample of your written work: either an essay or contextual piece of writing you have written on an art or design based subject, OR a personal and reflective statement that critically reflects on your interest and abilities within the broader subject of design and craft (between 250 and 300 words).

Find out more about how to create and submit your portfolio.

Course fees

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

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