Furniture and Product Design, MA

This course is for the designer who wishes to develop furniture, interior products and quality artefacts.

This course is for the designer who wishes to develop furniture, interior products and quality artefacts.

It has a focus on the finer-end of the market, looking at opportunities for batch, low-run production.

You'll explore how furniture and product design production is changing and consider the influence of digital technology and media. You'll also challenge pre-conceived attitudes about the relationship between traditional craft skills, new technology and modern manufacture.

Students on this course benefit from the collaboration and support of established links with commercial organisations and industry professionals.

Postgraduate scholarships

The School will be offering a number of scholarships for students commencing on one of our postgraduate courses. Find out more about scholarship opportunities.

Postgraduate open evenings

Our postgraduate open events are a great opportunity to meet our postgraduate teaching staff and students, visit the University, find out about the courses we offer, bursaries and funding opportunities.
Find out more and book your place.

Any questions?

Course enquiries:
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418

Admissions enquiries:
Ask NTU
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Visit the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment website

What will you study?

You will study the following modules:

• Design Tools and Processes* (20 credit points)
• Research Methods* (20 credit points)
• Horizon Scanning* (20 credit points)
• Multidisciplinary Innovation Project * (20 credit points)
• Furniture Futures (20 credit points)
• Advanced Design Communication (20 credit points)
• Major Study Project (60 credit points)

*Shared modules with our other five product design courses
credit points = Credit points

How do you study?

This course is project-based. You will learn through a combination of practical and theoretical sessions, including

• lectures – with all students from the Product Design suite
• intensive workshop introductions – to introduce all the equipment available so that you can use it to its full advantage
• studio sessions – these will often underpin areas introduced in the lectures
• seminars – with the rest of your course group you will examine and develop areas through discussion
• tutorials
• field trips and study visits.

You will work on a number of individual and team based projects, sharing a common modular structure with the other postgraduate courses within the Product Design subject area. This will maximise opportunities for you to work across a range of design disciplines, which is essential experience for the real world of business and design.

You will have an intensive first 15 weeks where you will enhance your key skills in areas including computer aided design (CAD), modelling, drawing and research skills.

The Horizon Scanning module incorporates case studies and briefs from industry, consultancy and experts from NTU and other UK and European universities. This module will open up your horizons, introduce you to new and diverse areas and may inspire you to explore a different project or to combine your skills with a new technology.

To enable you to make informed choices about your Major Study Project, you will define a learning agreement before you start. This will ensure that you select a project based on your latest aspirations and knowledge. Your will develop and agree your learning agreement with your academic supervisor and any other potential collaborating parties.

Assessment

Assessment is 100% based on coursework and project work.

Course structure

The course is studied on a one-year full-time basis. There are 53 teaching weeks in total. Students are able to take a break during August.

The taught modules are delivered in the first two semesters, and the individual Major Project comprises the final 60 credit Masters semester.

Who teaches on this course?

Our Product Design team is made up of experienced academics and staff who have recently joined from industry. These, together with regular visiting experts, provide a rounded, up-to-date education, informed by current practice and industry developments.

Course leader: Sarah Kettley

Research opportunities

This course promotes development towards MPhil and PhD.

Resources and facilities

The course is based in the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment.

You'll benefit from our high-quality engineering laboratories, extensive modern studios and workshop facilities, and full IT and CAD suites.

Specialised equipment includes the following.

• Rapid prototyping modellers: these machines quickly create a 3D object from a virtual computer model using a highly advanced laser process.
• Waterjet cutter: the latest generation precision technology capable of up to 150mm in almost any sold material such as glass, steel, granite, marble, aluminium and rubber.
• You will have access to a CNC (computer-numerical control) router and a brand new laser cutter.

Find out more about our facilities, equipment and software.

Our workshops are based in the Maudslay building and are supervised by skilled technical personnel.