Courses and structure The three-year degree is structured around five different courses. These courses support and complement one another within each year of study, and as you progress through the years they are designed to build a coherent set of experiences. Studio Practice: This course is where the majority of the practical, project-based work is delivered, discussed and assessed. Studio Practice is delivered through a series of unique structured briefs in Years 1 and 2, and progresses into Year 3 with the development of a student-led major project and exhibition. Contextual Studies: Contextual Studies provides the theoretical core of the BA Design. All students attend lectures on a wide range of design-related issues, ranging from ethics and sustainability, to semiotics and psychology. In the final year this course supports the writing of the Context Report (dissertation). Technical Studies: A series of technical workshops, delivered to first and second years, covering a broad base of skills. You encounter traditional 3D materials and technologies, and advanced computer-aided design and manufacturing. Technical workshops also cover image production, manipulation and film making, as well as fundamental aspects of typography and graphic layout. Methods and Processes: In Year 1 this course equips you with a set of tools for designing, looking at research methods and ways to generate and record ideas. In Year 2 the course prepares you for workplace environments, introducing aspects of professional presentation and communication. Professional Practice: All students undertake a Professional Placement between Years 2 and 3. This course encourages you to develop a more professional approach to your own work, and to generate valuable contacts for future employment. Year 1 Studio Practice Studio projects are formulated to allow you to develop your own ways of thinking. You will be challenged to push your ideas, and given space and support to develop an understanding of artefact, user, site and situation. Contextual Studies Histories and Theories – lectures, visits and practical exercises on the historical and theoretical context of design in the 20th century unravel the main theoretical influences on design and designing. Design and Meaning – lectures and practical exercises looking at the roles that psychology and semiotics play in design. You'll examine the complex nature of design thinking and creative techniques, and the ways in which these relate to actual practice. You'll also be encouraged to explore your own personal responses to the design process. Ecology and Design – you'll explore relationships between nature, culture, industry and other social systems, while highlighting possibilities for change in response to current environmental and cultural issues. The context for this course is the emerging field of Eco Design. It is broad-based to give an overview of key issues and ideas. Methods and Processes Concentrating on the techniques and processes in research, modeling and drawing. Technical Studies These workshops focus on specific areas within the discipline. They'll give both a critical and technical introduction into areas such as making, still image, graphic communication and textiles. Year 2 Studio Practice You'll explore ways that the contemporary designer can negotiate a changing social, cultural, ecological and political terrain. You'll be encouraged to adopt a personal, ethical and ideological stance in tackling projects concerning the social, cultural, environmental and political domain. In the spring term you'll work on ‘industry-based projects’, the briefings for which come from the commercial sector. These projects allow you to present to design professionals, gaining valuable experience and insight. The projects are set by a broad range of design professional and commercial sectors, such as Imagination, Pentagram, Hive, Raw Nerve and Lewisham Council. Contextual Studies Ethics and Sustainability – This lecture programme asks why the ethical stances of designers, the moral features of the design process, and the value-laden nature of various objects and images, are important in design. You'll also explore ideas relating to ecological understanding of design and culture towards a widening of perspective and engagement in contemporary ecological concerns. Society and Culture – Lectures and practical exercises investigate design in the context of society and culture. You'll examine a number of socio-cultural influences on designers, design processes and design outcomes, and will be encouraged to explore the ways in which your own designs are framed by these influences. Material Culture – Lectures and practical exercises investigate design in the context of what has become known as material culture. You explore various attitudes to cultural production, examine notions of consumption and taste, and investigate the various practices that have been built around these attitudes and notions. You will be encouraged to explore the ways in which your own designs are framed by material culture. Methods and Processes – Professional Practice This course asks you to engage in design as a professional practice. It opens up the extensive nature of the design industry, in order to increase your understanding of the role of a practicing designer. Technical Studies These sessions cover a range of skills, which build upon the previous year. We offer workshops such as interactive design, moving image, electronics, object manufacture, rapid prototyping/CAD and graphic communication. Professional Practice During the summer term you are expected to secure and undertake a placement of at least six weeks in duration. You are required at the beginning of Year 3 to submit an assessable presentation based on your work placement. Year 3 Studio Practice In the final year you develop your own projects, supported by an individual ‘mentor’. Workshops enable you to formulate, develop and realise a project. Major projects must have a strong conceptual underpinning and be well founded and reasoned. The final stage of Year 3 is the presentation and exhibition of design practice project work. This is an important part of the educational experience – calling for teamwork, organisation, management and design, developing a range of skills critical to future careers. Contextual Report This major piece of writing presents the contextual and theoretical framework for your major project. This 6,000-word report develops alongside your project and is a personal piece of work.

Skills and careers Skills The programme encourages you to: Develop as an independent and reflective learner Gain the skills that will enable you to play an important role in the discipline: now, and in the future Think systematically through issues, situations and topics Reflect on the social and cultural implications of design Understand and address key concepts and issues of sustainability Critique and develop your design methods and processes to arrive at sensitive and meaningful conclusions Represent, communicate and manifest your ideas convincingly Develop, refine and apply methods and strategies that create meaningful relationships between design and people Develop innovation and creativity skills, and personal and interpersonal skills These skills are sought after in many areas of employment. Careers Most of our BA Design graduates find employment in the creative and cultural industries. The most recent National Student Survey marked Goldsmiths undergraduate Design students as the most employable in the country, with 98% securing a design-related job in their first year after graduation. Our graduates have: worked for top London design consultancies (Pentagram, Heatherwick studio, Imagination, Moving Brands) worked for major UK companies (Dyson, Selfridges, Eden Project, Oxfam) set up their own design studios (including Jailmake, PAN Studio, UsCreates) worked as freelance designers progressed to become senior designers, consultants, design managers and creative directors found employment in the public sector and NGOs had work commissioned for public spaces, private companies and charities Awards Our students and graduates have also been successful in national and international competitions. BA Design students have won: New Designer of the Year Award RSA Design Directions Award the Design Museum’s ‘Design Mart’ NESTA’s Creative Pioneer Programme