Product and Furniture Design (Swansea College of Art) BSc (Hons)

This programme explores the human-centred aspects of product & furniture design. You are encouraged to explore, innovate and then incorporate your own understanding of aesthetics and other complexities understood through form-making and product & furniture concepts and interactions with them. The first year is common to both pathways, where you will be introduced to core skills and methods that are required by professional designers. Both product and furniture design briefs are undertaken by all students on this programme and then, by the final year, you, as a student will choose a specific area to specialise in and this will be the nature of your Major Project and portfolio. The option then, is to specialise further in Advanced practice at post graduate level.Approaches for idea generation, form development and product interaction are taught throughout within studio and workshop practice, allied with a sound understanding of materials and manufacturing. The programme integrates traditional studio and workshop practice with state-of the-art digital tools, with students utilising the latest versions of industry- standard computer-aided design and visualisation software, 3D printing and prototyping facilities. The course includes live design projects that enable students to engage with both major companies and small entrepreneurial businesses. This industrial contact allows students to develop their skills in response to real-world scenarios and prepares them for the demands of employment. External client projects across a range of industry sectors from toys to medical products are undertaken each year. Recent client companies include Recaro, Orangebox, Hasbro, Freshwest, Clinique, and Cyden. In addition to this, students are actively encouraged to enter national and international design competitions.