Surface Design

Surface design is all around us. It gives texture and colour to our world whether through fashion, architecture, interior or retail design.

Level One

To begin with we will introduce you to a broad selection of technical processes, concepts and creative techniques that will give you the opportunity to explore the possibilities of surface design. Through a range of projects you will consider surface design for a number of applications that may include paper, textiles (both fashion and interior) and product design. Particular attention is paid to the development of practical skills underpinned by visual and contextual research. Academic study will be supplemented with workshops, include screenprinting, drawing and CAD.

Level One comprises a number of projects of varying length that focus on specific design issues and aim to inspire you to be experimental in your approach to your work. Tuition and lecturers from designers with successful careers in a variety of surface design industries ensure your learning is relevant to today’s working practices.

Level Two

In Level Two you will start to pull all your learning together. Building upon your knowledge and skills you will start to consider how to frame design practice within the broad range of subjects as applied by industries that depend upon effective surface design. Workshops, such as more advanced CAD sessions will provide the opportunity to develop your practical talents further.

There will be an increased emphasis on critical evaluation of your work and that of fellow students. Work-related learning will continue through a selection of industry projects, national competitions and work placements. Students have recently been involved in projects with ceramic company Emma Bridgewater, Bradford Textiles Society competition and regional manufacturers.

You will sometimes be expected to work as part of a team and to collaborate to develop transferable skills that are relevant to future career or study paths.

The year ends with the Final Major Project. This will be self-directed and will demonstrate the application of the knowledge, both theoretical and practical, that you will inevitably have accumulated throughout the course. This project should be designed to confirm your intentions to seek employment or to continue your studies to BA (Hons) degree level.

Level Three

Level Three BA (Hons) allows you to consolidate and capitalise on the skills, knowledge and experience gained throughout the course and provides a unique opportunity to generate a sustained body of work
that will support you in your future career or further study. You will utilise skills in organisation, management and communication alongside the technical, creative and conceptual skills associated with your subject practice. Students may opt to work on one project or they may decide to create a series of projects that reflects specific interests. This can be negotiated with academic staff. In addition to your studio work, you will produce a Research Report that contextualises your practice and demonstrates your engagement with a sustained piece of written work.

What makes us special

Teaching on the course is delivered by a range of professionals who have a thorough understanding of the subject and its significance to the creative industries. The course has excellent facilities including digital surface design and production technologies including laser cutting. You will be encouraged to explore a wide range of materials in your work through access to NUCA’s multiple technical workshops.

It is expected that a number of students will continue their education to BA (Hons) level. We would expect graduates will not only work in entry level roles in the surface design industry, but will be flexible in approach and able to apply skills meaningfully across the wider creative industries, such as combinations of textile design, paper product design, ceramics, visual merchandising and the retail industry.

We also select students to exhibit work at New Designers in London. This is a national showcase for the best graduates from UK colleges. This gives students the opportunity to show their work to potential employers, retailers and commissioners.

Students who successfully complete their undergraduate studies are also able to progress to a range of MA courses at NUCA in particular MA Textile Design.