Postgraduate Courses in Design
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If you’re thinking about furthering your learning by studying a postgraduate course in design then read on to discover the immense choice that is open to you. From fashion to product design, furniture to theatre, jewellery to transport and more recently, computer graphics, information design and design using multi-media, postgraduate courses enable you to make your mark and further your career. If you want to develop your understanding, ideas and skills then a postgraduate course in design may be for you. The UK's history, multi-cultural nature and optimism for the future makes Britain an excellent place to study a postgraduate course in design. What ever your specialist area, there is a course to suit you.
Some universities and colleges have an extensive range of postgraduate courses whereas others specialise in particular fields of design activity. Even if you are sure of your area of specialisation, it is always interesting to be working, as a student or as tutor in a school with diversity. The work of fine artists and crafts designers can influence those working within the harder, more commercial end of the spectrum of design activity and vice versa.
Design courses vary significantly - some have a mass production focus - designers for industrial production - whilst others cater for designers who intend to be designer-makers in the area of contemporary craft production. You may wish to consider courses that include a significant proportion of business or management studies. A number of postgraduate courses in design now combine study of design with business.
If you choose a course in industrial design it is good idea to check to see if there is a relationship with engineering in the same university. If you choose computer graphics, investigate the computer resources but don't make the mistake of thinking that excellent resources equate to excellent teaching. It is always a good idea to find out where graduates go to work when they have completed their studies. This will be a useful indicator of the quality of provision.
Many postgraduate courses in design will contain professional studies. This will help you find employment and help you to work well within a professional design environment and even improve your chances of setting up a successful design business of your own.
At application, admissions tutors will look for evidence of your academic ability but more importantly, they will want to see a portfolio of your own design work. You may be expected to discuss this in some detail and explain how you hope to develop your work in the future. Sometimes tutors will ask you to attempt a sample design project so that they can diagnose where your strengths lie. Others may ask you to complete a questionnaire about your approach to design or about your views on designed objects. This is all to help the staff get a picture of your existing skills and interests. Tutors will want to be sure that you are embarking on the course that is right for you. An interview will usually follow your submission of your portfolio.
The range of materials used by designer makers is extensive and many include glass, precious metals, printed and constructed textiles, found objects, plastic materials including automotive styling clay and ceramics. Talented and highly creative students transform these into extraordinary works. The results of the students' effort are usually displayed in a Design Show at the end of the academic year. Product designers will also make and display their designs in an end of course Design Show. This will take the form of a display of models showing how the final production items would look. Computers are now used quite extensively to visualise the finished product design. These shows vary in size a scope but are usually the exciting highlight of the academic year, visited by potential employers - on the look out for fresh new talent.
A postgraduate course in design is fantastic start to your career. You will learn new skills, enhance your creativity and learn more about design as a concept. Make sure you research the facilities, resources and quality of teaching when choosing your course at university or college. Britain has produced some very talented and innovative designers and you could be one of them; apply now for a postgraduate course in design.
With thanks to:
Jenny Hann,
Head of Industrial Design,
Coventry School of Art and Design,
Coventry University
http://www.corporate.coventry.ac.uk/?d=127
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