Design Undergraduate

7/24/2019 Design Undergraduate

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98% of Goldsmiths

Design graduates

secure a design-related

job in their first yearafter graduation

Undergraduate

Design at Goldsmiths


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******* Our interdisciplinary approach

gives you experience of areas

like graphics, furniture, product,

interaction, and multimedia design

We challenge you to create design

that questions the society we live in Recent placements include

Pentagram, OMA (Rem Koolhaas)

and Heatherwick Studios

We receive the very highest

National Student Survey

teaching scores nationally

Key features



Why study design at Goldsmiths

Visit www.gold.ac.uk/ug/design for full details of our degree 3

At Goldsmiths we’re not interested in just producingdesign. We’re interested in defining it. We see design

as a discipline with a dual impact: forecasting thefuture and reflecting the world now.

It’s an influence we take seriously. Design is at worktracing every moment of life – but it also has thepower to transform it. We’re interested in drawing on

the creative and cultural diversity that’s unique toGoldsmiths, so we’re always looking over the fence ata range of other disciplines – using the history ofeverything that influences design as a way tounderstand the context in which it’s produced.

We’re multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary.

As a design student here you’ll be looking at

everything outside of design as a way tointerpret what it’s about. So our single

undergraduate degree deliberately moves

away from specialisms and set topics towards

a live curriculum. This means you can cultivate

an adaptable 21st-century practice by

exploring all aspects of design and developing

an awareness of design’s impact on the

socio-cultural landscape.

We’re experimental. We’re hooked on ideasand nothing’s off limits. This means you’ll have

the chance to try things out within a

supportive environment, but you’ll also learn

to maintain control over your process so you

can justify every material and decision made.

We’re out in the world. From awkward space

in cities to energy reduction, we’re conducting

research in a whole range of settings, but

we’re also award-winning creative practitionersand our practice is often informed by yours.

Come and shape your creative identity within

a design department where we’re working as

one studio with infinite scope.



*******Watch our film at

vimeo.com/ goldsmiths/design

Typical GCE A-level offer:

BBB or equivalent.Additional requirements:We accept applications fromstudents that demonstratepost-16 study in art and design(a Foundation course, BTecor NVQ Level 3 in Designis usually required) or GCEA-levels with a strong artand design portfolio. We alsowelcome applications frommature students without

formal qualifications who haverelevant work experience ordesign work, and also fromstudents without A-levelsin Art and Design, but havean interest in a future careerin the creative industries

(this may include students

with strong A-levels in thehumanities and sciences).After submitting yourapplication you will becontacted if you have beenselected for interview.We will be interviewingthroughout the autumnand winter, so please applyas early as possible.

At interview, we ask you tobring a hard copy of your

portfolio, which should includea selection (about 12 pieces) ofyour most creative work. Yourportfolio should represent avariety of art and/or designapproaches and outcomes,and we encourage you to

choose work from a range

of interests outside of yourstudies.

If you are an international orEU student who is unable toattend an interview in person,we may offer a telephone/online interview. Prior to thisyou will be asked to submit anelectronic portfolio, whichshould be 12-20 items thatrepresent a variety of yourdesign work and approaches.

Again, please include workthat reflects the broadspectrum of your creativity.

If your first language is notEnglish, please check ourwebsite for English languagerequirements.


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The degree

BA (Hons) Design

3 years full-time, with professional placement during Year 2

www.gold.ac.uk/ug/ba-design

The three-year degree is structured aroundfive different courses. These courses support andcomplement one another within each year of study,and as you progress through the years they aredesigned to build a coherent set of experiences.

Studio Practice: This course is wherethe majority of the practical, project-based

work is delivered, discussed and assessed.

Studio Practice is delivered through a series

of unique structured briefs in Years 1

and 2, and progresses into Year 3

with the development of a student-

led major project and exhibition.

Contextual Studies: Contextual Studies

provides the theoretical core of theBA Design. All students attend lectures

on a wide range of design-related issues,

ranging from ethics and sustainability,

to semiotics and psychology. In the final

year this course supports the writing of

the Context Report (dissertation).

Technical Studies: A series of technical

workshops, delivered to first and second

years, covering a broad base of skills.

You encounter traditional 3D materials

and technologies, and advanced

computer-aided design and manufacturing.

Technical workshops also cover image

production, manipulation and film

making, as well as fundamental aspects

of typography and graphic layout.

Methods and Processes: In Year 1 thiscourse equips you with a set of tools for

designing, looking at research methods

and ways to generate and record

ideas. In Year 2 the course prepares

you for workplace environments,

introducing aspects of professional

presentation and communication.

Professional Practice: All students undertake

a Professional Placement between Years2 and 3. This course encourages you to

develop a more professional approach to

your own work, and to generate valuable

contacts for future employment.



*******

6 www.gold.ac.uk/ug/design

Our staff are practitioners and theorists from a widerange of backgrounds, all of whom are actively engaged

at the forefront of design research and innovation.Individual staff interests are diverse and experimental;our work is published and exhibited internationally,and recognised through lots of professional awards.

Staff

The Department of Design has three

‘Research Units’ – working across the fields

of Interaction, Innovation and Education– and staff are also involved in a variety

of collaborations, within Goldsmiths

and spanning multiple institutions.

Staff research interests provide invaluable

access to external expertise, and these

form an important resource for students as

they begin to define their individual design

aspirations. Our research insights and

knowledge continually shape our teaching,ensuring a curriculum that is driven by the

most current and challenging developments

in design theory, technology and practice.

Current BA Design staff include

Edd BagenalRichard BrettDavid CameronMartin ConreenCharlotte GrinlingToby HaddenSean HallRosario HurtadoNadine Jarvis

Tobie KerridgeOnkar Kular

Jimmy LoizeauLaura PotterPete RogersJuliet SprakeMathilda ThamTuur Van BalenMartin VowlesMichael WallerMatt Ward

Andrew WeatherheadAlex Wilkie



Facilities and environment

Students have their own dedicated studios, andtheir own personal workspace. Our lively eclectic

mix of students creates a vibrant studio culture,where working alongside your peers is far morebeneficial than working at home alone.

This is something that we place great

emphasis on at Goldsmiths – many graduatesenter professional life as part of a team,

in a shared studio, and learning to work

in such an environment is a fundamental

part of contemporary design education.

The Department of Design workshops

contain cutting-edge digital equipment,

including rapid-prototyping and laser

cutting facilities. We can support practical

work using most materials, including wood,metal, plastic, ceramic and textiles. Our

dedicated computing suites are constantly

updated to offer the latest digital software.

Some classes take place across the

College campus in new facilities, which are

purpose built for hosting lectures, seminars

and specialist computing sessions. The

Department runs its own series of open

lectures called ‘Design Means…’ and youare are also able to access regular College-

wide lectures, seminars and events.

London provides a rich backdrop and

resource for anyone studying art and design,

being home to some of the most important

galleries and museums in the world. The

city is a creative hub for new and emerging

design practice, and each year the London

Design Festival plays host to the world’smost exciting design talent. Goldsmiths

is ideally placed for any student who is

interested in the past and future of design.



*******Beyond university

The degree has extremely good links with the worldoutside academia, and you have opportunities to

engage in professional environments throughoutyour taught programme. In Year 2, all studentstake part in a Live Project, and in recent yearsthese have been developed with prestigiouspartners such as BERG, The National MaritimeMuseum, Kin Design, Nokia and Imagination.

Students undertake a placement between

Years 2 and 3, with most working at two

or three different companies. These

placements are secured with a wide range

of external businesses, from established

names like Pentagram, OMA (Rem

Koolhaas) and Heatherwick Studios, to

new and emerging ventures, small-scale

enterprises and with solo designer-makers.

The majority of our graduates gain

employment in design or a design-related

field within six months of completing their

studies. BA Design students have gone on

to work for large companies and agencies,

as well as for smaller collaborative studios,

and many have emerged as self-employed

designers and design consultants. Each year

a few students decide to start collaborative

businesses, and new graduates are regularly

employed by our previous graduates.

Some of our students continue to Masters

level degrees (MAs). For those who wish to

pursue their education further at Goldsmiths,

the Department of Design has a number

of postgraduate programmes, as well as

opportunities to study towards research

degrees (MPhil and PhD). Our graduates have

also gone on to further study at many other

universities in the UK and around the world.



Graduate insights

Justas (graduated 2012)

“There’s a lot of space for personal interventionand individualism. The tutors are professionalswho do a lot of practical stuff out there behindthe university walls, which is really valuable for

our learning here. Studying here you feel like youare sitting next to someone who is going to invent

something that will revolutionise the world.”

Jane (graduated 2010)“I came to Goldsmiths for the Design course

itself: being in a vibrant city like London wasjust a bonus. I don’t think there is anywhere elsethat offers such a dynamic, interdisciplinary and

radical programme. Through engaging withphotography, film, casting, design history and thestudy of culture (and much more) the course hasdeveloped my practical skills and understanding

but ultimately it is about exploration andgenerating a personal understanding of what

design is and where you position your individual

practice. Design is the ultimate communicationtool – it is a device aimed at change. I have

loved studying here and I think that I’m morepassionate about my subject than ever.”

Edward (graduated 2012)

“The programme pushes you further thanyou have ever been pushed before and Ithink that is really valuable, because you

come out stronger at the end. Its social andethical stance is also extremely unique. A lotof designers don’t consider these elements,

so to experience that for three years putsyou in good step when you graduate.”

Neil (graduated 2008)

“The BA Design was perfect for me in thesense that it was wonderfully interdisciplinary.

At Goldsmiths it was clear to me that youare not necessarily a product designer or

a furniture designer but pursuing particularambitions and certain fields – and they teach

you the processes and thinking behinddesign. This helps to steer you towards what

it actually is that you are interested in.”

Livia (graduated 2010)

“When I decided to enrol at university, theBA Design at Goldsmiths was the only course

I applied to. I’m a naturally good maker;I love getting my hands dirty and working onthe materiality of an object. Three years on,the Foundry is still my favourite place, but

I’m a good all-rounder now. I’m much moreanalytical and aware of my responsibilities asa designer, but at the same time the coursehas enhanced my individuality. People here

share a very open vision of what design is.”



*******Some questions

The Goldsmiths BA Degree is called

‘Design’: what does this actually mean?

At Goldsmiths we have an approach to

teaching design that is different from mostother universities. Our undergraduate

programme is called ‘Design’ because it

is inclusive and expansive, and this is how

we believe design should be understood.

Why don’t you offer specialist degrees

such as Graphic, Product, Interaction,

Furniture, Interior or Fashion Design?

The design world has changed a great deal

over the past 20 years. In the past, designprofessionals worked mainly within one

particular field, such as graphic design,

interior design, jewellery design etc. In

contemporary professional contexts

however, there are an increasing number

of opportunities for designers who have

flexible, transferable skills: designers

who can think and work using 2D and 3D

materials, methods and technologies.

At Goldsmiths we are not anti-specialism:we offer a coherent and progressive

undergraduate design programme

that allows you the freedom to decide

which specialist skills might be relevant

to your individual design aspirations.

Does that mean I won’t graduate

with specialist knowledge, ie can

I become a graphic designer?

Our graduates all leave with detailedspecialist design knowledge, but it is up

to them to decide what this might include.

During the final year some students do

focus in areas such as product, graphic or

furniture design, but some choose to work

more broadly across a range of different

design ‘disciplines’. Rather than define a

specialist curriculum from the outset, we

offer a series of technical and practical

support activities and encourage projectwork in a range of relevant design-based

media. This allows you the choice of how

and where you might specialise over

the course of your three years of study.

Goldsmiths design students are supported

in developing their own specific interests

and objectives, which we believe can (and

should) evolve as they progress through

the degree, and understand more about

the type of designer they want to be.



We are involved in

placements and projects

with organisations such

as: TalkTalk, MicrosoftResearch, BBC Interaction,

BT Labs.



Contact us

See www.gold.ac.uk/ug/design for full details of the

degree. If you need moreinformation, please [email protected]

To find out more about us, goto www.gold.ac.uk/design

or email [email protected]

Student insight

Natasha“To be able to go to a prestigious

university like Goldsmiths is great.Being able to study in an urban

environment and being around great,friendly people is making my

university experience betterthan I could ever have

imagined.”

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Design Undergraduate