DE6028 - Advanced Commercial Interior Design for Industry

What will I learn on this module?

This level 6 block 3 module allows you to demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of the design process through a complex, self-determined, research informed and comprehensively resolved final major project. This project is developed from your early proposals made in Business and Commercial Strategies for Interior Design (DE6026), and supported by your investigation in Research Practice for Interior Design (DE6029).

In this module you will reflect upon your learning to-date to demonstrate autonomous creative, professional, analytical and intellectual ability. You will evidence your developing practice of interior design and readiness to engage with the industry. The self-determined project brief will research and develop key themes such as; design, site, brand, sustainability, technologies, construction, customer, user experience and the future. The module allows you to build upon the skills and knowledge gained in previous design project modules and will allow you to develop your individual approach to design briefs through to a final design proposal, set in the context of the final year graduate approaching employment.

You will subsequently demonstrate your understanding and skills in communicating a resolved interior design solution. Building on the previous level 6 modules, you will further develop design intent through various techniques and methods including, modelling (both computer generated and physical), verbal and continued drawn design development. You will be required to demonstrate how design solutions are realised through the use of 2D and 3D communication, to industry level, that enables clear communication and dialogue with clients, construction firms and manufacturers.

Design projects will be directed by you and set in the context of existing or new build architecture and will ask you to engage with the exciting spatial challenges that interior design poses. A diverse range of topics and sites relevant to the interior designer will be covered and defined by you.

How will I learn on this module?

Advanced Commercial Interior Design for Industry is a project-based experiential learning module. Learning takes place in design studios, CAD labs and, where appropriate, workshops, in order to create a professional design-studio approach. The aim is to encourage the interaction of the student body, through peer learning, which is regarded as a critically important factor in the learning process and will be facilitated through staff-led group tutorials, one-to-one sessions and reviews.

We refer to this studio approach as follows;

Project brief(s) will be introduced through one or more briefing sessions where the brief will be fully explained and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. The module is delivered via a combination of studio teaching, seminars and interactive activities, tutor guided and student-led independent learning.

Formative studio-based feedback will support and guide your learning and the progress of your design work. Where appropriate, external site visits will support design briefs and your understanding of the interior design process and site enquiry. This approach will allow you to develop an understanding at both a theoretical and practical level prior to summative assessment.

You will take part in a final review presentation of your design project work where you will receive final feedback from staff, which you will be required to document and process to advance future design projects and define your own learning. Summative assessment is through the submission of a design portfolio, which will enable you to learn through an enquiry-based/problem-solving learning methodologies approach and reflect the accumulation and integration of knowledge accrued over the module.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Support and feedback will be provided by a variety of methods throughout design projects, starting at the briefing and concluding upon submission of each design project. Support includes;



Staff Contact

Module tutors who provide academic support.

Individual staff-student tutorials inform design project direction.

Group tutorials enable staff to interact with students and encourage peer learning and support.

Project briefs are normally introduced via a briefing session, where the brief is fully explained and explored by both staff and students.

The eLearning Portal will be utilised to communicate all relevant module information.



Studio Contact Time

Modules are delivered through a combination of lecture supported group tutorials and studio activity, practical demonstrations, studio teaching, guided and independent learning new skills are delivered through workshop activities.

Studio feedback takes place to facilitate students’ development in the areas being studied, to allow formative feedback and the identification of examples of good practice and development areas to be considered.

Independent study hours will be utilised to continue the development and progression of studio activity.



Peer and Independent Support

Students are encouraged and expected to maintain a personal development plan (PDP) and are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning.

Studio based activity also supports the development of appreciation and evaluation of peers’ work.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:



Propose and evaluate interior design solutions that articulate and contextualise your deep understanding of ethical and responsible design practice. (CONTEXTUAL)



Exhibit judgment and strategy in the selection and application of design approaches, research and design development methods throughout all stages of the design process through bound design development packs. (R&D)



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:



Show expertise in the communication of interior design schemes through skilled use of applications, tools, methods and production processes to professional industry standards. (COMMUNICATION)



Create advanced and innovative commercial interior design proposals through an understanding of the functional and aesthetic requirements of design in response to a given brief. (DESIGN)

How will I be assessed?

A design project will be carried out and after submission, a final mark will be given for the module, which is 100% design project portfolio, incorporating 2D and 3D design work.



The assessment and feedback strategy is:



a. Formative Assessment

Project tutorials and staged reviews with tutors and peers will provide an opportunity for critique and formative direction. This will allow students to reflect upon their own work and act upon feedback prior to final submission. Verbal feedback is designed to help students to identify areas of success and/or further development to be considered.



b. Summative assessment

The project brief/s driving the module will identify the assessment criteria and submission requirements (deliverables) appropriate to the topic of the project. The assessable elements will consist of a project portfolio, which will enable students to demonstrate the process and technical skills developed throughout the module. In addition studio contact, observations and presentations will ensure tutors are able to assess the learners’ overall performance holistically against the learning outcomes for the module. A single grade will then be aligned to the submission based upon multiple deliverables.



c. Feedback strategy

Feedback will be delivered verbally at the point of each tutorial, where discussion will clarify future direction. Upon receiving summative assessment students will receive a grade reflecting achievement against the learning outcomes of the module. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning by recording verbal feedback in order to reflect upon it as they engage in subsequent learning.

Pre-requisite(s)

Business and Commercial Strategies for Interior Design

Speculative Futures for Interior Design

Research Practice for Interior Design

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

Advanced Commercial Interior Design for Industry gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your comprehensive understanding of the design process through a complex final self-determined and resolved major project.

You will reflect upon experience to date to demonstrate the creative, professional, analytical and intellectual autonomous ability that will enable the practice of interior design in various areas and disciplines of the industry. The self-determined project brief will research and develop key themes such as; design, site, brand, sustainability, technologies, construction, customer, user experience and future possibilities. The module allows you to build upon the skills and knowledge gained in previous design project modules and will allow you to develop your individual approach to design briefs through to a final design proposal, set in the context of the final year graduate approaching employment.

Course info

UCAS Code W252

Credits 40

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria School of Design

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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