Interior Design BA (Hons)

The Study Abroad module is a semester based 40 credit module which is available on degree courses which facilitate study abroad within the programme. You will undertake a semester of study abroad at an approved partner University elsewhere. This gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. The course of study abroad will be constructed to meet the learning outcomes for the programme for the semester in question, dependent on suitable modules from the partner and will be recorded for an individual student on the learning agreement signed by the host University, the student, and the home University (Northumbria). The module will be assessed by conversion of graded marks from the host University.

Learning outcomes on the year-long modules on which the student is unable to attend the home institution must be met at the host institution, and marks from the host are incorporated into the modules as part of the overall assessment.

This level 5 Semester 1 module is designed to further develop your understanding of interior space and form. It will also reinforce the importance of sustainability and spatial dexterity and the subsequent impact upon manufacturing, construction, materials and lighting within the interior design industry. The module allows you to build upon the skills and knowledge gained in previous design project modules and will allow you to develop an individual analytical approach to design briefs through to a final design proposal.
Practical design project/s will deal with increasingly complex challenges, allowing you to define your own boundary-pushing approach to design through the experience of site, scale, manipulation of space, strategic re-use of existing buildings, building technology, remodelling, lighting, branding, virtual environments, ergonomics, materiality and construction detailing. Project/s may deal with areas such as retail, leisure, exhibition etc. through the tactics of architectural insertion and installation in response to site.
Design projects will be set in the context of existing or new build and will ask you to engage with the exciting spatial challenges that interior design poses. A diverse range of topics relevant to the interior designer will be covered, including;
• Building re-use and re-interpretation.
• Service design as part of a full interior design proposal.
• Building exteriors and facades.
• Embedding design principles through design practice.
• Detailing packages.
• Sustainability.
• Architectural technologies.

This level 5 Semester 2 module is designed to build upon your increasing knowledge of the interior design industry and allows you to start to identify your place within it. It will reinforce and build upon the importance of brand, customer and service in the design of successful commercial interior and spatial design. You will also start to focus upon site, place and the urban environment to better set project solutions in an appropriate context. 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.
The practical design project will be a staff-selected design competition, collaborative project or staff-initiated design brief, which will respond to current issues and opportunities and result in a resolved design solution that considers the resultant implications of brand, site, materials and construction set in an urban context. Project/s may deal with areas such as retail, leisure, exhibition etc. through the tactics of insertion and installation in response to site.
You will be challenged to consider and develop strategies related to brand, urban environment, manufacture, materials and processes, construction and technology, ergonomics and lighting in producing a resolved branded interior design solution.
Design projects will be set in the context of existing or new build and will ask you to engage with the exciting spatial challenges that interior design poses. A diverse range of topics relevant to the interior designer will be covered, including;
• Building re-use and re-interpretation – internal and external.
• Branding and branded interior environments.
• Service design as part of a full interior design proposal.
• Architecture, ‘shop fit’ and visual merchandising as part of a cohesive scheme.
• Construction and furniture detailing.
• Architectural technologies.

This Level 5 year long module is designed to provide you with an opportunity to develop skills and an understanding of 2D drafting software and 3D visualisation software. The module will begin by introducing you to industry standard drafting software in semester 1, which will naturally progress into 3D modeling and visualisation software in semester 2. You will be introduced to and develop an understanding of industry standard CAD applications within the context of the interior design profession and you will develop proficiency through the production of plans and visuals for design project/s. The production of contractual drawing packs and final CAD renders will illustrate your understanding of the process from ‘drawing board’ to final realisation and construction.
You will be encouraged to carry out research and practice into industry standard cad software that will underpin your ability to create and communicate interior design schemes within the interior design profession, including;
• 2D plan and section renders.
• Contractual drawing packs.
• 3D visuals.

This level 5 year long module builds on the chronological stylistic and contextual understanding of historical and contemporary interior design that you gained in year one by immersing you in the most current debates and critical issues around interior design practice. The module explores topics such as the relationship of interior design to the complex ecological, ethical, social and technological issues of modern society through the close critical visual analysis of examples of design practice. The critical investigation of these topics are responsive to changes in the discipline of interior design and developed collaboratively alongside studio project briefs from your other Level 5 modules. By familiarising yourself with the social, environmental, cultural and political issues around these debates in relationship to interior design practice, you will develop the ability for critical thinking and the cultural and ethical awareness vital for academic success and a successful career in interior design. You will further gain the ability to conduct and apply detailed and analytical research and visual analysis to interior design practice and the confidence to articulate your viewpoints clearly in speech and writing.
This course is responsive to changes in interior design and subject matter is updated yearly. Examples of topics likely to be discussed in relationship to interior design include:
• Sustainability
• Branding
• Globalisation and Localism
• Regeneration and heritage
• Identity: ethnic, national and gender

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.