3D Design and Craft BA(Hons)

International equivalencies

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

Portfolio advice 

Applying for a place in 2018?

When you come for interview, you will be asked to bring a portfolio with you. A portfolio a folder, organised in a way that suits you, and shows a full range of art and design exploration. It should include:

• a collection of drawings, which should include objective, imaginative, and selected life drawing
• drawings that show us a pathway from initial personal research, through to ideas, which could be made in a material, or a combination of materials
• photographs of visual research and large three-dimensional objects and 
anything else that you have made that cannot be transported to the interview
• any documental evidence that represents your artwork, this could include CAD 
work, 3D software print outs, Photoshop collages and prints
• include sketchbooks, idea sheets and samples to show us how you develop ideas into final pieces.

Please also bring a written piece of work, an essay or a contextual piece of writing on an art or design-based subject.

Bring any three-dimensional objects you have made either finished, part finished, as a model or an experiment. It could be anything from functional to sculptural.

Preparing for your interview

We are looking for strongly motivated students who can show evidence of being creative, imaginative and individual. You must be able to talk about your work and your approach to making and designing especially with regards to:

• the ability to assess weaker and stronger work
• the capacity to imagine and have a vision
• a preference to think and make in three dimensions
• evidence of good hand skills using any materials/things to make maquettes, models or finished pieces
• self-motivation, timekeeping and an inquisitive mind.

Why study with us?

• This course has a proven track record of success in developing ambitious and capable graduates who have successful, lifelong careers as creative practitioners.

• Our graduates have a long history of going on to high-profile careers in professions such as: media production; product, lighting and sustainable design; interiors and architecture; trend forecasting and styling; jewellery; ceramics; installation and exhibition design; journalism; and teaching. They also exhibit at venues such as The Design Museum, The Saatchi Gallery, London Fashion Week, The Crafts Council, The V&A and the Milan Furniture Fair.

• Our students have won national and international awards and been featured in leading publications including the Guardian, Crafts, Blueprint, Ceramics Review and ICON.

• You’ll have access to specialist equipment and digital technology, and will explore and experiment with materials and processes alongside developing your personal approach.

• You can specialise in a range of fields, from ceramics, jewellery, furniture and site-specific work to applied arts to product design.

• Workshop practice is integrated with historical and critical studies, so you will explore critical, conceptual, ethical and environmental issues as well as commercial implications while gaining a deep understanding of cultural and historical factors.

Craftbot was developed by 2017 graduate Gavin Jones for his final project – the machine translates one of the oldest methods of craft, the coil pot, into a mechanically performed act.

• We place emphasis on the role of design within a social and cultural context, understanding that design and craft are important traditions and an essential source of inspiration and understanding of who we are. The staff are all practising artists, makers/designers and researchers, and teaching reflects industry developments.

• Professional practice is an integrated part of the degree and, through live projects, case studies and exhibitions, enables you to place your work within a range of real-world contexts. 

• Students leave this course with the skills to succeed in the creative industries and capacity to turn ideas into fully resolved objects, products and artefacts in a range of media.

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 is also supported by modules in professional practice, and design and craft culture.

Modules

• Introduction to Design and Craft
• Design and Craft in Context
• Creative Enquiry: Research Practices
• Professional Practice
• The Culture of Design and Craft

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 our applicant portal.

Students meet iconic designer Ron Arad in his studio.

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. 

Students wishing to progress onto the four-year MDes programme must gain a minimum 60% grade overall in the second year.

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

Modules

• Materials, Process and Concept
• Designing and Making in Contect and Self-Directed Study
• Professional Practice: Preparation for Work and Business
• The Shape of Things: Design and Craft in Historical and Critical Perspective
• College option

You will have the opportunity to exhibit work throughout the course

Matilda Grover, 2017 graduate, with her bags made from recycled TetraPak

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 a historical and critical studies dissertation.

Modules

• Self-directed Study Design and Craft
• Creative Enquiry: Research Practices
• Professional Practice
• Historical and critical studies research project (Dissertation)

Zoe Jo Rae, 2017 graduate, with her Hunter Gatherer exhibition – featuring a canoe she made from milk bottles

Staff profile

Alma Boyes

Alma Boyes is course leader for the 3D Design and Craft BA(Hons) and the Craft MA. She is also area leader in ceramics and has over 30 years teaching experience in this field.

Alma is a sculptor whose work focuses on figurative studies exploring the expression and evocation of social (and cultural) relationships, predominantly as expressed between animal species. Since 2006 she has been undertaking research into practice-based teaching, working on CETLD, Learn Higher and ADM-funded projects and delivering research papers at national and international conferences. She recently collaborated with the Crafts Council on their Firing Up initiative to re-introduce ceramics into secondary education.

Find out about our other staff: Cynthia Cousens, Jacqui Chanarin, Tanya Dean, Nick Gant, Patrick Letschka, Carlos Peralta, Louisa Taylor, Stefano Santilli, Gareth Neal and Avril Wilson. 

The Cordwainer by Alma Boyes

Facilities

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

• Equipment 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.

• The school has recently invested £270,000 including digital kit Including a laser cutter, plasma cutter, CNC 3-axis milling, CNC routing, 3D body scanning, portable 3D scanning and rapid prototyping.

• Students have access to the DIGI-HUB, a centre for digital manufacture and fabrication equipment. The hub is made up of a collection of computer automated machinery and 3D modelling software that enables students to create a diverse range of models, prototypes and finished artefacts. The centre has its own full-time digital demonstrator technician and Apple iMacs and PCs with all of the software that you may need to use in conjunction with the machinery.

• Bookable spaces for group tutorials, seminars, critiques and exhibitions.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Grand Parade campus map