Interior Architecture & Design (Farnham Campus) – (B.A.)

Contents

Syllabus (11/12*)

Year 1

You are introduced to the main elements of the course and the concepts of spatial design. You receive an introduction to student learning to develop your organisational and personal skills and to make you an effective learner able to make full use of the University's resources.

* Form and space: narrative and rational - introduces two opposing forces in spatial design: user reaction to atmospheric and narrative spaces, and user reaction to geometrical and abstract spaces: the psychological as opposed to the intellectual/rational perception of space.
* Form and function: materials and manufacture - you focus on the discovery of the technical performance of materials (principally wood and/or metal), and in experimenting with ways of linking and articulation.
* Building design technology: theory and communication - this unit supports practical units by providing you with an understanding of the environmental framework to which the interior designer must by definition refer to.
* Design discourse 1: historical and critical contexts - introduces design discourse as a framework by which changes in design practice might be better understood. With a focus on design history since the time of the Industrial Revolution, the unit will detail a number of contexts in order to examine the possible relationships between form and meaning.
* Site context: free standing form - introduces issues in building refurbishment. It examines the extent to which a new element should confront an existing building by being radically different.
* Site context; architectural form - synthesis of the previous three units and is the first in which a full interior space is created and set in an urban context between two buildings.
* Building design technology: detailing and communication - you attend building and design practice lectures while developing freehand/digital perspective techniques and colour rendering, technical drawing skills and CAD rendering
* Design discourse 2 : object analysis - offers a series of contextual and practical research tools that will allow for detailed and involved analysis to be applied to the evaluation of designed objects.

Year 2

During this stage of the course you will consolidate the ideas and knowledge gained from year 1 and become engaged in increasingly complex creative design possibilities arising from specific areas of interior design practice.

* Film architecture - after visiting a suitable film set studio (if access is possible) a programme synopsis, text, script or musical sequence are analysed and interpreted. Storyboard concepts are initiated, to scale model and full visual presentation stage with emphasis on camera angles, lighting and composition.
* Narrative environments - option of working within one of the specialisms of exhibition design: interactive educational exhibitions, art galleries, display and narrative within a museum context or a commercial exhibition/product launch situation.
* Building design technology: materials in context - referring to a given specialism you are encouraged, in teams, to analyse all aspects of that area historically and currently. Groups research specialist areas of interior design through direct reference to practitioners.
* Design in context: objects and environments in theory and practice - addresses a number of theories and dialogues with regard to the production and consumption of design and material culture within both past and contemporary settings.
* Brand analysis and design - development of a personal direction in terms of the brief, centred on a branded retail or leisure requirement.
* Design for living - focuses on the design of spaces relating to hotel and residential design.
* Building design technology: focus on detail - you investigate the detailing of building and joinery components supported by the building specification.
* The uses of things: design, consumption and identity - short series of introductory lectures seek to outline the basic tenets of 'consumer culture', and offer a number of theoretical and contextual paradigms by which patterns of consumption and behaviour might be better understood. Following this, you then develop a number of key issues that can be seen to relate consumption to your particular course of study, with particular emphasis given to the social, cultural and economic implications of design decisions.

Year 3

You have the opportunities to build upon the skills and knowledge gained throughout the course and demonstrate a high level of design and organisational autonomy. A core theme of this year is the final project, which allows you to explore a subject in depth.

* Design, detail and present - consolidates previous studies into a body of work which is undertaken according to professional standards in terms of technical and visual presentation.
* Practice experience - lectures and tutorials provide methodologies for the preparation of a portfolio of work, curriculum vitae, letter of application and interview techniques. Lectures also introduce you to the professional responsibilities of the designer as a member of the building team and provide the necessary support for you to liaise with industry or gain work-placement.
* Dissertation - period of self-directed research on a subject that is related to the historical, theoretical, critical concerns of your discipline or professional area.
* Final project - synthesis of previous technical and theoretical study and demonstrate a body of work completed to a professional standard. Design outcomes should express your individual approach to interior architecture and design.

* Please note the syllabus content is for the academic year indicated and is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.