Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design

The Design Ecademy can transfer our HND Students onto the final year BA programme via referral with one of our educational partners. The Degree is validated by a prominent university in the UK - for further information please contact the Head of Academics. This is a one-year program which builds on the progress of our HND in Interior Design. Because of the unique nature of this course, it is only open to those students who have successfully completed the HND in Interior Design and achieved a minimum grade of Merit.

To qualify for a BA (Honours) in the UK, a student must achieve 360 credits. The HND in Interior Design is valued at 240 credits and will form the first two years of this BA program. The final year of the BA (Honours) in Interior Design encompasses a total of 3 modules, with a total value of 120 credits (UK/European Credit system). The individual module titles and their credit values are shown below, followed by a brief description of each module:

Module 1(A) Hotel Design: Option 1 (30 Credits)

Hotel design is one of the major contributors to the evolution of interior design, particularly residential interior design.  The nature of the fiercely competitive hotel market means that each hotel, or hotel chain, must have something specific to influence customer choice, very often this is achieved through the design of the hotel interior.

Spa baths, rainforest showers, free-standing baths and master bedroom suites are examples of interior design which began in hotels and which has since migrated to become almost mainstream interior design requirements.

Understanding client branding is central to designing for hotels and obtaining and developing a specific brief will be looked at in detail. The Module investigates how hotels attract their specific markets through interior design which accurately reflects brand values and corporate identity.

The Module also considers the design of the traditional hotel chain, the ‘Grand Hotel’ the spa hotel and the rise of the boutique hotel.  The Module develops students’ understanding of client/customer relationships and how these may be strengthened through interior design. The Module culminates in the production of a design for a specific hotel interior.

Summative assessment includes the development of a property into a hotel which strengthens and enlarges the client base of a particular brand. All finishes, spatial manipulation, furniture, lighting and furnishings selected or commissioned should tie in with the public perception of the brand.  Research, brand analysis, space planning, DDA compliance, creativity and technical ability should be evidenced through presentation boards, technical drawings, written reports and visuals. Work will be assessed in terms of research, creativity and the analysis, accuracy, understanding and application of knowledge.

or

Module 1(B) Exhibition Design: Option 2 (30 Credits)

Throughout the Exhibition Design Module you will examine two main exhibition design formats.

a)         Explore the commercial trade exhibition stand format

b)         Concentrate on the role of the designer within permanent public gallery spaces and interpretive installations

This module provides you with an overview of those interior retail design issues particularly relevant to exhibition design, namely:

 Public access – emotional, physical and intellectual

• Enhanced participation – public engagement with the built environment
• People management – space allocations and visitor flow
• Exhibit media – getting the message across through design

You will examine a broad variety of exhibition types; trade event stalls, gallery exhibitions and museum displays. The requirement of different types of clients will also be investigated.

The Module builds on your knowledge and understanding and introduces you to the development of interpretation and management within the built environment including local and overall atmospheric conditions, sound and light levels. You will also consider the following conceptual frameworks:

Museums and galleries are dependent on curatorial content therefore, material collections and artefacts of interest to historians, anthropologists and the visiting public are revealed and on display

• Visitor centres are not bound by such conventions and can remain free of specific material collections and artefacts and concentrate on pure experience-based attractions

Module 2 Research  Project: (30 Credits)

You will be considering your previous Interior Design experience and skills acquisition in order to plan a major project or dissertation that progresses your aspirations for your career development. You will research associated areas and evaluate the opportunities for generating original and innovative ideas within an area of Interior Design. It is envisaged that this project or dissertation will inform your Interior Design Independent Study Project. This Independent Study is the project you will undertake in order to achieve your BA (Hons) award.

Initially, you will select an area of study in consultation with your tutor and produce a title for discussion. This is usually in the form of a question. Your tutor will guide you to ensure that the topic is not too vast or to ensure that there is sufficient material for you to research. You will then undertake an in depth literature search and conduct any primary research. This is then followed by looking at your data and analysing how you are going to review and utilise it. Finally you will interpret and present your findings. Interpretation is essential as it shows the ability to evaluate and draw conclusions rather than reproducing evidence read.

Module 3 Independent Study: (60 Credits)

This Module is a double-length Module (60 credits) which will be based upon clear proposals with specific criteria. The subject area for assessment will be established in discussion with your tutor in addition to fulfilling criteria set down by Staffordshire University and the National Design Academy. Within the course of the Independent Study Project, you will be expected to develop innovative ideas in response to a clearly defined brief to do with interior design.

This practice-based assignment should include a substantial theoretical or written element. The proportion of theory to practice within the Independent Special Study Project may vary and should be agreed in advance with your tutor. It is, however, very important at this BA (Hons) level, that your work contains an element of critical evaluation. The project also requires the production of a portfolio of interior design related work. 

You will liaise with your tutor to agree a title and area of study. This will be followed by approval of the client brief. Tutors will ensure that the brief is sufficiently challenging but also realistic in its expectations. You will provide a rationale for your design and then work on concept and mood boards before finalising your designs and submitting a complete design pack as if to a client. There will be regular tutor contact throughout this process to guide and advise you but this is an independent project and you are expected to make your own decision as to how to present the work for maximum effect. It is expected that the work you will present will include plans, visuals, presentation boards, development sketches and product specifications.