Why study this course?
You’ll receive a world-class introduction to all aspects of the industry, equipping you with the skills and networks needed for employment, self-employment or further postgraduate study.
Driven by curiosity and a can-do attitude, you’ll become a competent maker, opinionated thinker and a flexible designer with a set of industry-relevant skills and experiences. This in turn will empower you to find your own voice in the expanding and evolving product and furniture design world.
More about this course
Inspired by the vibrant energy of our London home, the environment embraces the collision of past, present and future – from digital 3D fabrication to traditional craft – to help you learn a rigorous design approach that is deeply connected to material, making and process, all informed by empathy for the end user, insightful observation and sound ethical choices.
Your impressive roster of tutors will be made up internationally recognised product and furniture designers, who together offer a dynamic practice-based learning culture that will encourage the exploration and discovery of your own interests and approaches through both experimentation and trial and error. What’s more, this all takes place in our realistic studio environment.
You’ll develop your practical skills during first year briefs that focus on specific materials and processes (including, wood, ceramics, metal and digital fabrication), equipping you with the know-how needed to make use of the extensive workshops for the remainder of the course.
Teaching on the Furniture and Product Design BA comprises a mix of one-to-one tutorials, group crits, seminars and student presentations, which create a supportive framework within which you will become comfortable presenting and objectively discussing your own work.
There are strong links with local and international design communities, and you will visit local design studios, galleries, retailers, journalists and curators, benefitting from opportunities to nurture your own professional networks.
The course will challenge you with briefs, materials and time constraints reflective of real-world workplaces. You’ll be encouraged to respond with visual research, an iterative design process and material experimentation, prototyping and production, all supported by the development of presentation and communication skills using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Rhino 3D and V-Ray.
Accreditation of Prior Learning
Any university-level qualifications or relevant experience you gain prior to starting university could count towards your course.
Modular structure
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2022/23 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules include:
3D Design Principles (core, 30 credits)
3D Visual Research and Communication (core, 30 credits)
Critical & Contextual Studies 1 (3D) (core, 30 credits)
Workshop Practice (core, 30 credits)
Year 2 modules include:
3D Design (core, 30 credits)
Critical & Contextual Studies 2 (3D) (core, 30 credits)
Design Resolution (core, 30 credits)
Materials, Technology and Markets (core, 30 credits)
Year 3 modules include:
3D Project Design & Development (core, 30 credits)
Critical & Contextual Studies 3: Dissertation (3D) (core, 30 credits)
Major Project Realisation: Furniture and Product Design (core, 30 credits)
World of Work (core, 30 credits)
Where this course can take you
Your undergraduate design degree will be a valuable commodity in a world where boundaries between disciplines are blurred and design-thinking is a sought-after skill in both business and creative industries. As a graduate of our School of Art, Architecture and Design, you’ll join a long list of successful London Met alumni which includes well-established designers such as Yinka Ilori MBE, Matthew Hilton, Michael Marriott, Lola Lely, Simon Hasan, Markus Kayser and Tom Price and emerging talents such as Anton Mikkonen, Alba Elezi and Moe Redish.
Global design brands such as Tom Dixon, Made.com, Based Upon, Thomas Heatherwick, Established & Sons are based in London, as are many design studios, galleries, consultancies and a strong network of independent designers and makers.
Your time in uni will help you find your own place within the industry and give you the skills needed to enter the workplace, self-employment, or undertake master’s level study.
