Interior Environmental Design - FAQs

Do I need to have done an Interior foundation or be able to do technical drawing before applying?

No. We're simply keen to find people who have broad art and design experience and who are really curious about how we experience places. Generally, we get a decent mix of very motivated high school candidates who have very traditional folio that are art focussed, and we get people who have done a one year foundation, (a bit of everything really), and candidates who have done interesting Interior courses. No you don't need to have done technical drawing before, though if you have done so it can help. We introduce you to these skills on the programme both on CAD and by hand.

Do I need to have studied Art & Design, Product Design or Graph. Comm.?

Yes. But we do get applicants who have neither and are so motivated and excited by what the programme offers them that they can sometimes become some of our best students. Those of you who have these art design qualifications are encouraged to create an exciting entry folio to indicate your potential rather than your current standard.

What creative work should I bring along?

A broad range of art, design and other creative related work is important. We are especially keen to see a wide range of drawing, from objective formal studies that are about detail, texture and good observation, to rapid sketches, doodles, mark making and experimentation. In the recent past, successful applicants have brought along images or actual sculptures (in lard as well as clay), architectural studies (such as personal sketchbooks or digital photo experiments or entire design projects), black and white photography, sketch books (lots of them to show exciting process, creative energy and evidence of a hungry visual mind at work), computer graphics, videos, packaging, fashion, furniture (usually images), wonderful mixed media studies either on an abstract or realistic topic, still life, portraits, landscapes and, of course, interior projects. If in doubt, double check the folio guidance notes, call us in advance, or simply please bring it along.

Is there the chance to start at Level 2 or Level 3?

Yes. We are happy to discuss this if you have an excellent folio, demonstrate motivation, check us out on our Open Days and /or degree shows (its always wise to do a little reconnaissance), good HNC or HND or equivalent experience in a related subject

Why is there an interview?

This is a demanding course and before we put you through all that, we want to check that it is really the right course for you; the interview is as much about you asking us questions, meeting current students and seeing the studios. At the interview, we want to hear what you feel about your work, our programme and what it is that makes you 'tick' creatively. We are here to help, and we are very well informed of the other Interior programmes so we can offer guidance too.

The studios?

The studios will be your home for 3 or 4 years. We see the design studio as an essential part of a wonderful experience. Our studios are open-plan and this encourages you to wander into other years and see what they are doing. Studios are sometimes noisy, often messy, but also great places to work in and become inspired by colleagues. This is where you work together, make stuff and have fun outside of class too. Interiors is a great place to be and the department is sufficiently small scale (compared to other programmes in the UK) and intimate so you'll feel part of something special.

Interior Environmental Design? Is this the same as interior decor courses?

No. It is far more interesting than decoration though we do look at themes of surface, skin, and transience. IED is a very broad and exploratory four year spatial programme that allows you considerable creative freedom to develop your own disciplinary perspective. There are some interesting overlaps of course, but Interior Environmental Design is less about fickle fashion and more about exploring the fascinating spectrum of places and spaces that we inhabit; we inhabit physical, imaginary and virtual 'interiors'. You do lots of 3D modelling, digital animation and video. Interior Environmental Design is a fascinating discipline that operates at the intersection of related disciplines of architecture, design and art.

Is this the same as any other course called Interior Design?

If you dig a little deeper, you will find that they are all different. This is part of the fascination that studying Interior Environmental Design will reveal when you join us. Certainly our diversity of approach , (interior projects, furniture, installations, virtual tasks and other wide social issues) is pretty special. We tend not to define Interiors merely through the lens architectural - we think the IED is far more interesting than that

What career opportunities will I have once I graduate?

Our graduates use Interior Environmental Design as an intellectual and creative springboard that leads them to lots of exciting careers in very diverse industries such as jobs as interior designers, exhibition, theatre set, landscape, lighting, soundscapes, the movie industry, computer games (someone's got to design the environments while animators design the main characters), architects (several of our graduates have become architects), art & design teaching at every level, furniture, museum curators, European conservation, planning, space planning. Our graduates have also ended up working for organisations such as the British Council. Design is no longer about one discipline its about learning to work with others - we think we prepare students for this better than most traditional interior programmes.