Interior Design

Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture

Why come to Kent to study

Interior Design?

Interior designers hold

great power. They exist
at the interface between
a finished project and its
users. They can change
the way people perceive
space and form, and can
make people’s lives easier.
They can transform the
mundane into the
memorable, and there
are as many ways to
achieve this as there are
designers. It is this variety
that makes interior design
so exciting and rewarding.

Studio-based work
You are encouraged to develop
your own design identity through
The first year of study is taught environment for studio-based
a series of studio-based projects
in common with the School of work’, and our workshops were
and problems. We encourage you
Architecture’s other degree described as ‘excellent’.
to be experimental in your work
programmes, Architecture and
and to explore new ways of
Interior Architecture. This gives In addition to the School’s teaching
communicating your ideas.
you the flexibility to transfer facilities, the University offers a
We also help you to develop an
programmes at the end of superb environment for student life
awareness of the cultures in which
your first year. – facilities include the Templeman
you operate, ensuring that your
library, a sports centre, a cinema,
work relates to the wider world
and comes from a strong Excellent resources a nightclub, and six student bars.
The Interior Design programme There are a wide range of student
conceptual base.
is based within the School of societies including KASA – Kent
Architecture, which has been Architecture Students’ Association
The programme is designed to be
equipped with all the latest – which organises an impressive
flexible enough to respond to any
teaching resources including range of lectures, visits, trips and
local or global events that present
new design studios, workshops, competitions.
design opportunities for our
a computer laboratory, lecture
students. Each stage of the
rooms and offices. These facilities
course also gives you the chance
were praised in the 2005 External
to take part in a structured Field
Panel Review of our School where
Study programme to a particular
the studios were said to offer ‘an
city, extending your knowledge of
excellent learning and teaching
interior design as a discipline.

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 Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture

A wealth of experience
The programme has an
enthusiastic team of academic
staff with many years of teaching
experience, and particular
strengths in historical,
environmental, technical and
digital aspects of the subject.
Many of our lecturers are highly
active within contemporary
debates and also draw on their
experience as practitioners within
the field. Kent also gives you the
opportunity to study with
academics in other areas
such as creative events, drama,
archaeology, or multimedia
technology and design.

Gain professional skills

In the professional world, interior
designers often work alongside
architects and interior architects.
At Kent we recreate this scenario
by giving you the chance to work Did you know?
on projects alongside students on
ten
our Architecture and Interior We are among the top
for
Architecture programmes. universities in the UK
course satisfaction
8
according to the 200
rvey.
National Student Su

“There’s a wide range

of experience here and
I think that helps.
We get feedback all the
way through, from coming
up with creative ideas to
the practicalities of the
design.”
Charlotte Sparrow
Second-year student
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4
 Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture

We view freehand drawing and

model-making as core skills for a
designer but also encourage you
to look at the challenges faced by
designers within the digital age.
You experiment with many forms
of digital representation, such as
virtual modelling and animation.
You also learn how to give visual
and verbal presentations – crucial
communication skills within the
professional design world.

Professional links
The School has excellent contacts
with businesses and culture in the
area, including links with local
design consultancies and regional
organisations such as the Kent
Architecture Centre, Royal Institute
of British Architects, Kent County
Council and the South East
England Development Agency

“I really like the fact

(SEEDA). The Sustainable

that it’s such a varied

Good career prospects
Communities Plan, a lynchpin of
According to employment
programme. Recently we
government policy, is particularly
statistics, Kent graduates are

were asked to design a

strong in the south-east, making
doing better than ever in the

complete stage set and

the region the ideal place to
changeable job market. Six
engage in the debate about
I enjoyed it so much that
months after graduation in July
innovative and responsible

I’m hoping to team up

2007, only 3.2% of students were
solutions to contemporary design

with some drama students

without a job or study opportunity.
issues. Kent also has excellent

next year. I’m already

links with university departments
Interior designers can work on

thinking about stage

in Barcelona, Venice, Lille, Bruges,
new construction projects or within

design as a possible
Amsterdam and Düsseldorf
existing buildings, and often within
and can facilitate exchange
career option.”
a design consultancy. They may
opportunities for students who
also move into areas such as
want to study abroad.
transportation design (interiors
for aeroplanes or cruise ships), Rebecca Lee
production design for stage, film Second year student
or television, exhibition/museum
design, event design, styling of
photo shoots, retail display, or
teaching.

5
Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture
Studying
at Stage 1
Stage 1, the first year of
full-time study, is taught
in common with the
School’s other degree
programmes –
Architecture and Interior
Architecture. This gives
you the option to transfer
programmes at the end of
your first year.
During Stage 1, you study:
• Enlighten
• Western Architecture
• Habitat
• Sensibilia
• House and Housing
• Navigation
• Portmanteau
• Enclose.
Modules: Stage 1
Enlighten
You look at concepts of
sustainable design, as well as
the health and safety aspects of
building design and construction.
Lectures and workshops include
constructional techniques,
environmental factors of natural
light and sound and the palette of
building materials, exploring their
sensory impact as well as physical
properties.
Western Architecture
Historical awareness of the
built environment is crucial to
the architect. This module locates
Western architecture within the
context of the Western tradition,
and encourages you to analyse
6
and understand architectural
change by reading widely and
undertaking observational
drawing.
Habitat
This module develops your
awareness of space and your
ability to manipulate it. Lectures
and workshops on construction
techniques allow you to design
plausible spaces which conform
to the logic of building. You learn
the principles of metric projections
and orthographic projection.
Sensibilia
You develop your understanding
of interior space by considering
the sensory range. Drawings,
models and maquettes (in
particular the systems of
“Students soon realise
sciagraphy, and one- and two-
that many of the visual
point perspective drawings) are
images around them can
used to explore concepts and to
be used to generate new
present proposals. You also study
design ideas. For instance,
natural light and sound with
reference to layout.
even the most abstract
photograph can suggest
House and Housing
an aspect of interior
The most ubiquitous type of
space, such as a staircase
building is the house. In this
or an entrance into a
module you study the house as
building.”
an example of vernacular design,
as a response to the particular
environment of a region. You
analyse examples of the modern Taseer Ahmad
house and chart some of the Programme Director
periods and events in the BA (Hons) Interior Design
development of modernism.

Navigation
This module investigates the
idea of horizontal and vertical
movement through space and
its physical manifestation as a
developed interior. It deals with
the staircase and the ramp in
architectural and interior design,
both in terms of their historical
significance and constructional
detail. You gain the skills needed
to assemble a set of drawings,
plus three-dimensional assembly
and construction drawings.
Portmanteau
This module deals with issues of
location and activity, and illustrates
how the design solution needs to
be responsive to both. Awareness
of the thermal environment of
buildings is a key element, and
you continue to study the
fundamentals of construction.
Enclose
You look at the construction
of internal elements including
staircases, the thermal
environment, human comfort,
artificial light, and natural
ventilation. You learn how to
assemble a set of drawings
as well as three-dimensional
assembly and construction
drawings. The module also
includes an introduction to
building services – plumbing,
electrical, and so on.
Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture
The student
experience
“With so many TV programmes
like Changing Rooms around,
it’s easy to think that you know
what an Interior Design degree
is going to be about. But once
you’re here, all those
preconceptions go out of
the window. And after a while,
you’re relieved that it’s not all
about colour swatches!
“The idea is to get the best
use out of a space. You are
introduced to many aspects
of design – furniture design,
product design and so on – “In these projects, you have to
and you also need to know think about every element of the
about all the new materials out design and it’s a testament to our
there, what their properties are. tutors that we all come up with
Or if you’re planning an office very different ideas – even though
space, for example, you need we’re usually given the same
to know about ergonomics and starting point. As for the
lighting. practicalities, your tutors can
easily spot any flaws, so you
“We’ve had some really quickly learn to think about design
interesting design briefs here. in a new way. The tutors here are
One was to design a Heath very friendly – they’re like mentors
Robinson exhibition. First we really. They keep an eye on how
had to find out about Heath you’re progressing all the way
Robinson – what his work was through and by the end of your
about. And then we looked into degree you feel very confident
how to design an exhibition about your own work.”
space, which means thinking
about interiors in a new way – Caroline Holland
how people flow around a Final-year student
building, how long they’re likely
to spend at each exhibit, what
lighting you need for each
exhibit and the best way to get
visitors in and out of a building.
7
Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture
Studying at
Stages 2 and 3
During Stage 2 (your
second year of full-time
study), you take the
following modules:
• Consideration and Conjecture
• Development and Detail
• Post-Enlightenment Interior
• Paradox
• The Suspension of Disbelief
• Contemporary Manifestos
and Theories.
Modules: Stage 2
Consideration and Conjecture
You look at the ways in which an
intellectual notion or process can
be used to produce a conceptual
model, which can then be used to
generate a design proposition.
Initially, you analyse a non-visual
work of art, such as literature or
music. Using models, you consider
how the character of this work can
generate or influence a design.
Development and Detail
You develop a design brief for
a place where an object is
manufactured and sold. This
module involves a trip to a city
location and your proposal is
developed to a standard where
at least part of it could be
constructed.
Post-Enlightenment Interior
This module takes a historical
survey of the modern interior
after the industrial revolution,
considering well-known, high-style
interior designs and the evolution
of interior decoration amongst
ordinary people. You also
8
develop your observational skills
through a series of sketching
projects around Canterbury
and further afield.
Paradox
You work collectively and
individually to produce a set of
complementary design proposals
for a development at an
apparently unsuitable location.
The design brief involves leisure
and recreation and requires you
to combine unlikely elements in
an unexpected way. The interface
between the various
complementary student designs
are negotiated as a group.
The Suspension of Disbelief
You consider the cultural content
and qualities of various subjects
and combine them to produce a
design proposal for an interior in
public use, such as a small
theatre. Your proposal is
developed to a point where part of
it could be constructed and takes
into account issues such as health
and safety regulations and the
quality of light.
Contemporary Manifestos and
Theories
This module focuses on
contemporary issues and debates
which are identified and explored
by an analysis of built examples
and unbuilt proposals. You
broaden your understanding of
the theoretical positions which
underpin the design process
and use this understanding to
establish your own philosophical
position as a designer.
During Stage 3 (your
third year of full-time
study), you take the
following:
• Event
• Evolution
• Major Work.
You also choose an optional
module from the following:
• Building Appraisal
• Dissertation
• Interdisciplinary.
Modules: Stage 3
Event
You produce a small but complex
interior design proposal. The
proposal involves public, semi-
public and private space and has
to resolve significant environmental
and logistical problems (for
instance, a travelling exhibition
of cars and internal combustion
engines). There is an emphasis
on the use of physical models to
explore the design.
Evolution
You carry out a design exercise
which brings together elements of
location, brief and cultural context.
The exercise is experimental and
investigative and leads to a
proposal for an imagined use on
a fictional site. You speculate on
possible future environments and
the use of drawing and colour are
emphasised, as are issues of
environmental responsibility.

Major Work
Students are asked to produce
a comprehensive interior design
proposal of significant complexity.
You are given a location, a client,
and a perceived need, aspiration
or desire. You carry out your own
research and work independently
on your own initiative. This module
is designed to draw on the full
breadth of your knowledge
– including physical and cultural
context, conceptual modelling
and development, aesthetic
quality, spatial understanding,
technical integrity, environmental
responsibility and professionalism.
Building Appraisal
The ‘Building Appraisal’ option
offers you the chance to engage
in field research on the degree of
fit between design intentions and
realisation. A recently completed
building is selected and observed
in use. Its designers, users, and
clients are interviewed. You then
write an appraisal of the success
of the project.
Dissertation
The ‘Dissertation’ option
deepens your knowledge and
understanding of a particular
aspect of architecture and gives
you the chance to pursue
your own interests and passions
within the discipline.
Continued overleaf
The student
experience
“We are part of the School of
Architecture and the first year is
the same for all the students. This
means you get to study the basics
of architecture alongside your
interiors work. At first I felt a bit
overwhelmed but after a couple
of months you’re up to speed,
no matter what your previous
experience is.
“People often think that interior
design is about picking colours
and fabrics. But oddly enough, the
colours often choose themselves –
they are governed by the amount
of light you are getting into the
interior and how you want the
space to feel. You’re always
aiming to create a space with a
certain atmosphere. Personally, I
love the Japanese aesthetic – that
simplicity of form and function.
Some of the best designs may
look very simple, but they work
well because of the attention to
detail and the quality of materials.
“One of the ways you build up
confidence in your ideas is
through having regular ‘crits’ in
front of your tutors and peers.
Our tutors are friendly and it’s
great fun to be studying here, but
they are also strict! They expect
100 per cent and rightly so; they
want you to be proud of your own
work. Having conviction is
important. If you pitch for a job,
you need to be able to talk about
your ideas with confidence.
“Our final project was to come up
with a design solution to reinvent a
public space within the University.
Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture
There was one item that we had to
display – the St Augustine’s Bible
– but after that, it was up to us. I
used the concept of the Bible as
a set of rules, outlining a way for
people to live in harmony. Then I
decided to look for other hidden
rules and found out about the
Fibonacci series and how it is
reflected in the proportions of
nature and art. And so eventually
I made my design a testament to
what is called the ‘Divine
Proportion’.
“It’s not an easy thing to show
people in a simple way. I wanted
people to walk into the building
and to be let into this secret about
the Divine Proportion. There is an
artist’s installation on every level –
for instance, one section of the
building looks at how the human
body conforms to these
proportions. It’s also designed to
work on every layer of detail and
across every section; even the
roof conforms to these
proportions. If in 100 years’ time
all the art installations had been
removed, someone who was clued
up could visit this building and
work out what it was about.”
Maxime Allum
Final year student
9
Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture

Studying at
Stages 2 and 3 (cont)
Interdisciplinary
The ‘Interdisciplinary’ option
gives you the opportunity to
conceptualise architecture in
terms of a related art or design
discipline. A topic is agreed with
your supervisor, and you express
the research outcome in the form
of a piece of work in the relevant
discipline (for example, video,
animation, painting), accompanied
by an explanatory report.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is usually by lectures,
small groups, workshops, studio-
based design projects, field visits
for sketching and study visits to
different locations. Assessment is
by a variety of methods including
sketchbook/notebook, self-
illustrated research papers, slide
identification quiz at the end of
term, coursework and exams.

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10

Visiting our campus
and applying to Kent
Come along for an Open
Day or a UCAS Visit Day
and see what it is like to
be a student at Kent.
Open Days
Canterbury Open Days are held
in July and October for potential
students, and their families and
friends, to have a look round the
campus. The day includes a wide
range of subject displays,
demonstrations and informal
lectures and seminars, and the
chance to tour the campus with
current students to view
accommodation and facilities.
For more information, see
www.kent.ac.uk/opendays/
UCAS Visit Days
UCAS Visit Days take place
between January and April and
include a tour of the campus with
a current undergraduate, lunch in
one of the colleges and a talk
about University life. You also have
the chance to talk to one of the
academics and discuss any
queries about the course.
For more details, see
www.kent.ac.uk/visitdays/
Informal visits
You are welcome to visit the
campus at any time. We produce
a leaflet that can take you on a
self-guided tour and you may be
able to meet up with an academic
member of staff. For more details,
please contact the Information and
Guidance Unit (see right).
Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture
More information Application facts
For further information about
degree programmes within the
Location
School of Architecture, please Canterbury
contact:
Jeanne Straight Award
School Co-ordinator BA (Hons)
School of Architecture
Marlowe Building Programme type
University of Kent Full-time
Canterbury
Kent Programme
CT2 7NR Interior Design
(Standard route A) W250
Tel: 01227 824686
Email: j.straight@kent.ac.uk Interior Design
www.kent.ac.uk/architecture (Art and design route B) E250
If you have any queries about Offer levels
the application process, the A/AS level 320 points (3.5 A level
Information and Guidance Unit equivalents) including BB at A
offers a friendly service with level, IB 33 points (15 at Higher)
advice on how to choose your
degree, admissions procedures, Applicants need to provide a
how to prepare for your studies, portfolio of art/design work.
and information about the
University of Kent’s facilities Required subjects
and services. GCSE Maths grade C or above.
If you have any queries or would
like any more information, please
contact the Information and
Guidance Unit.
Tel: 01227 827272
Freephone (UK only):
0800 975 3777
Email: information@kent.ac.uk
11
 University of Kent
The Registry, Canterbury,
Kent CT2 7NZ
T: +44 (0)1227 764000
E: information@kent.ac.uk
Design & Print Centre 106371 4/08

www.kent.ac.uk