Product & Furniture Design BA (Hons)

Why choose this course?

If you're considering a career in professional design, this course provides the skills, knowledge and practical experience you'll need. Design work covers domestic and commercial furniture, housewares and ceramics, industrial and technology products. Using our workshops, you'll have a platform for experimentation and discovery. You'll study key themes, such as sustainability, manufacturing and the roles that designers play in industry. The course collaborates and engages with industry at all levels, from live industry briefs to masterclasses and talks by industry professionals.

Your work will be promoted through international design competitions, major graduate shows and external exhibitions. You'll graduate with a professional portfolio of work, giving you a springboard to employment.

Apply for this course in Clearing

Attendance	UCAS code	Year of entry
3 years full time	W260	2023 (Clearing) 2024

Please note: We do not accept applications for Year 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6) entry onto this course.

Location

Kingston School of Art, Knights Park

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Reasons to choose Kingston

We're ranked No.1 in the UK (The Guardian University Guide League Tables 2023) within the Interior Design subject area.
Through our strong links with industry, you'll be able to test your ideas at leading companies. Examples include John Lewis, Foster & Partners, Herman Miller, Sony and New Balance.
This course includes optional study tours, visits to design studios and research-based trips. Previous tours have been to Milan, Munich, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Valencia.

The Art School Experience

As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged.

Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.

Explore our world-class facilities

Two students collaborate on a design project.

What you will study

The Product & Furniture Design course focuses on practical experimentation informed by the use of materials, technologies and production processes. You'll learn about the qualities of materials, their potential sustainability and appropriate application. You'll study the roles that designers play, and the impact design can have on social, political, environmental and commercial contexts.

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Optional year

Final year

Year 1 introduces you to the principles of design through studio-based learning. A number of introductory projects help you explore materials, sustainability, research methods, design prototyping and presentation skills. Alongside these projects, you will receive masterclass introductions, for example in hand sketching, Photoshop, Illustrator and CAD. Lectures are delivered for the Product & Furniture Design history module in addition to materials / production knowledge.

Core modules

Design Fundamentals

30 credits

This module introduces the student to the fundamental 2D and 3D design skills and tools necessary to successfully develop, communicate and represent ideas and concepts to themselves, their peers and the outside world in a variety of media. The application of free-hand drawing and rendering techniques are explored in relation to points within the process of product and furniture design and development. Additionally simple 3D model making methods and presentation techniques are introduced to enhance the students' ability to communicate ideas effectively. The subjective nature of design is investigated through form development exercises in which the outcomes are reflected on in relation to visual language and perception.

Design 1

30 credits

This module introduces you to the process of design and the importance of observation, idea generation, concept development and communication skills. The design process is established as a strategy for the successful development, evaluation and refinement of design ideas.

Importantly you will begin this "process" with a user-centred design philosophy, putting the person at the centre of the process, understanding their needs and desires. You will gain an initial understanding of product and furniture design practices and the role of the design as it relates to empathies such as human factors, ergonomics and manufacturing including where appropriate the role of contemporary issues such as sustainable design practice.

Fundamentally, this module takes advantage of user-focused design techniques to create inspired and relevant design solutions. Context is introduced, materials and form giving are explored, all supported by the introduction of creative tools like brainstorming and design workshops where appropriate.

Workshop and Studio Practice

30 credits

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental principles and components of workshop and studio practice as they relate to the concept of 'designing through making' and the creative application of technology.

Through a range of projects, workshops, experiments and exercises the module explores the relationship between materials, techniques, processes, technologies and meaning.

The module develops the key areas of 2D and 3D analogue and digital communication including model-making, workshop techniques, visual language and communication, graphic layout and composition, materials and manufacturing technologies. The emphasis in this module is on developing a creative understanding of the core competencies that underpin product and furniture design practice.

Materials and Making: Themes in Design History

30 credits

Materials and Making constitutes an introduction to design histories and the theoretical, historical and cultural contexts underpinning product and furniture design. Sessions address particular ideas and practices that have shaped and constructed our contemporary understanding of product and furniture design as a meaningful social, cultural and economic activity.

Attention is given to the relationship between design and contexts of production, consumers and consumption, technologies, technique, the politics of labour, materiality, and ethics/responsibility. The intertwined histories of design and modernity and modernisation will be addressed, as well as what practices, histories and conceptualisations of design were excluded from or displaced by such developments, from women designers to indigenous and vernacular craft practices.

An integral part of this module is the close consideration of designed objects and the understanding of these in relation to larger contexts of meaning and interpretation.

Year 2 introduces the processes of design, nurturing personal working methods, critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Projects are longer and students are expected to go from a sketch to a finished prototype within either industry or set projects. This is a discovery year in which students have the freedom to experiment and explore new design approaches, intelligent making and alternative presentation methods including film. Students learn the importance of context and user-based research.

Core modules

Context and Communication

30 credits

The aim of this module is to develop understanding of the potential roles and responsibilities of the designer and enable students to contextualise their personal design vision and ambition. The emphasis in this module is on developing design sympathies and an awareness of a project's stakeholders and how to work creatively and effectively within established project parameters.

The module encourages understanding of how to develop work in a dynamic and appropriate manner, equipping students with the ability to express opinions and adopt different perspectives in relation to a range of issues and contexts (social, commercial, cultural, environmental and political).

Students are expected to further develop their knowledge and ability in developing design solutions and communicating these physically, digitally, verbally and visually. The module aims include the design of a contextual portfolio in preparation for Level 6.

Intelligent Making

30 credits

The module aims to introduce students to the concept of intelligent making as it relates to the creative and appropriate use and application of materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. Emphasis is placed upon direct experimentation and investigation of materials, technologies and processes and the development of conceptual yet practical design outcomes informed through an understanding and awareness of the affecting factors of batch production. The module also seeks to introduce the concept of prototyping as an industry standard method for presenting fully resolved objects and artefacts in context prior to industrial or batch manufacture.

Future Lab

30 credits

The module seeks to provide an environment for the discussion, debate and engagement with potential future design and manufacturing issues.

The module encourages the concept of 'future-gazing' and the adoption of a 'science-fact' philosophy to underpin a rigorous and robust conceptual design process that seeks to identify 'real' future design needs and design opportunities. The module also encourages 'live' client projects and industry collaborations as a means of contextualising and framing the learning outcomes.

You are asked to consider the impact of technology on specific areas of society, the environment or industry and engage in the development and dissemination of strategic design outcomes which either encourage further debate or propose sustainable design solutions in relation to defined future scenarios.

Critical Issues in Furniture and Product Design: Research and Practice

30 credits

This module builds on the historical and thematic content introduced at Level 4 and emphasises the theorisation of contemporary furniture and product design practice. A series of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, screenings and visits informs and support your own emerging research interests and the development of independent visual and academic research skills that cross history/theory and design practice. Lectures and seminars will deepen critical and theoretical engagement with contemporary issues in furniture and product design. Seminar tasks and assessments are carefully designed to foreground projects that support the location of furniture and product design as a discipline. Research methodologies are introduced though case studies and practical activities that reflect the issues explored through the module's contemporary content.

You have the option to take an additional year to study abroad.

In the final year, the practice of Design is supported. Using knowledge and working methods developed across the previous years you develop two major projects. These are personal projects evidencing your insights, research and development process. A final portfolio informed by your career aspirations and a written dissertation is required. Where appropriate we continue to introduce live industry projects and studio visits to promote professional practice knowledge.

Core modules

Design for Production

30 credits

The aim of this module is to enable you to demonstrate your ability to engage in the design and serial manufacture of objects and artefacts. The production project is an opportunity for you to develop concepts and strategies for innovation and creativity not only in terms of design but also in relation to the methods and techniques of manufacture.

The module promotes a holistic understanding of the process of research, design and manufacture and encourages an iterative 3D material orientated process of design and development. Production project design solutions require an insight-led approach to conceptualisation and design specification to ensure the requisite design empathy and appropriateness.

You are encouraged to contextualise your individual practice, with the opportunity to embark on industrial collaborations where appropriate. The production project submission encourages completed works in production as well as editions and series.

Final Major Project

30 credits

This 'capstone' module allows you to demonstrate your personal design philosophy through both the execution and choice of their major project. Capstone is an application of skills and knowledge, and a reflection on your learning through the course evidenced via the major project. Prior to commencement, you are required to submit a project proposal to be scrutinised and sanctioned by tutors and peer group.

You will consolidate the professional skills you have gained and demonstrate your strategic application through their research, design and development process. The ability to engage in critical debate and present work professionally, both visually and orally, is fundamental.

This module expects you to deliver professional and creative design solutions with a clear narrative. Consultation with academic and industry experts combined with intellectual contextual and sociological drivers should inform their work. This module is a bridge to your future study, work life or career.

Professional Context

30 credits

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop a means of promoting your employability through the presentation of an integrated body of work that represents both the concrete outcomes of your creative work and highlights your transferable skills, ie those personal and professional skills and qualities that may not be directly evident in a body of creative work.

The module draws together and develops a number of elements of your work produced during your three years at Kingston in order to present a complete picture of your range of abilities, personal design interests and ambitions. It is essential that the outcome of the module captures a sense of your personality and identity and therefore engenders a sense of self within the folio.

This module requires you to develop a coherent and fluent portfolio, which demonstrates strategic skills, knowledge and creativity relevant and appropriate to their graduate ambitions. You are encouraged to give careful consideration to the appropriateness of the methods and techniques used to creatively communicate all these aspects of their work to an external audience such as potential employers.

Dissertation: Research and Reflection

30 credits

Building on the links between research and practice embedded at Level 5, the Critical and Historical Studies (CHS) Dissertation: Research and Reflection module focuses on in-depth research, critical enquiry and reflection on questions and critical issues emerging in students' own practice, and pertinent to the practice of their own discipline.

Over the module, students will initiate and develop an individual research topic; identify and evaluate appropriate archives, bodies of critical literature, visual/material sources and research methods; manage their study time; engage with and respond to tutorial dialogue and peer feedback, and apply critical and analytical skills to produce a 7-8000 word written Dissertation, supported by a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Future Skills

Knowledge to give you the edge

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

Learn employability enhancing Future Skills

A female engineering student, in the engineering lab.

Gallery of student work

One Step

Cameron Rowley - The Conran Shop Designer of the Future Award 2021

Terracooler

Ellie Perry - Winner Global Design Graduate Show: Product Design and John Lewis Innovation Award 2021

The Hands Playground

Abigail Ghent

Future Pantry

Alex Cole

Future Pantry

Alex Cole

Hat Light

Hyun Sik Yang

The Ocean Bucket

Callum Wardle

Autonomous

Aaron Shah-Stewart

Strung

George Pearce - Gordon Russell Design Award 2021

Entry requirements

If you would like to join us through Clearing 2023, please call our Clearing hotline on 0800 0483 334 (or +44 020 8328 1149 if you are calling from outside the UK) and speak to our friendly and knowledgeable hotliners who will be able to provide information on available courses and will guide you through your options.

Please note the entry requirements listed below are for 2024 entry only.

Typical offer 2024

UCAS tariff points: 112-128

Level 3 qualifications, including Art and Design subjects (i.e. A-levels, BTEC Diploma, Access Diploma, IB Diploma, etc.). The preferred entry route is to first take a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or a recognised equivalent course.

Typical offer 2023

UCAS tariff points: 112-128

Additional requirements

Entry onto this course will require submission of a digital portfolio as part of the application process. Further details about the portfolio will also be sent via email after submission of application.

See portfolio guidance below for more information about how to prepare your portfolio.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English Language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no element below 5.5.

Make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from a recognised majority English speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Portfolio guidance

Applicants are required to send, alongside the UCAS application and personal statement, a portfolio of 20–30 pages in landscape format, saved as a PDF file.

Digital portfolio format

Your portfolio will need to be in landscape orientation and saved/uploaded as a PDF file. Please keep your files under 20MG if possible. You may have an animation or moving image/film which can be uploaded to Vimeo, Flickr or YouTube. Please supply these links in your portfolio and make sure they are active and work on all platforms.

Digital portfolio content

Your portfolio should be unique and personal and reflect your design interests and approach. Include evidence of your working process including prototyping, research and final development work. The portfolio should give a snapshot of your work to date. This means presenting evidence of practical projects and the thinking behind the ideas. (What problems are you solving? Who is the design for?) We are interested in seeing how your ideas were developed through sketching, development pages, worksheets, research activities and seeing the final outcomes/designs presented to the best of your abilities.

Subject knowledge

We pride ourselves on attracting a diverse range of applicants and our studio environment thrives on that unique mix of creative talent. We have applicants with backgrounds in art and design, product design, craft and making.

Your portfolio should reflect your ambition as a designer and include evidence of the following:

Creativity

We will be looking for people with practical and intellectual ideas. This will be evidenced through sketch ideas and rough models and prototypes.

Drawing and design skills

We can teach you to draw but we do look for students who can already communicate ideas visually and show and understanding of form giving and aesthetics.

Making and prototyping

Your folio should include images of your final models and prototypes. This may include self-initiated work from outside college or school. Design through making is a vital ingredient of the course, so include images of the models and prototypes you have made, plus images of you in the workshop.

Digital skills

We will teach you CAD and software skills; however, it is good to understand the software skills you already possess (if you have any).

Format and size

For online/email portfolios we recommend a landscape format PDF file of 20–30 pages. Aim for a maximum size of about 10–20MB (scans and images of your work can create large file sizes). You need to edit your portfolio – show us the important stuff and leave out the dreary. A little research, your ideas and sketches, your models and development and the lovely final design as an illustration or photo. We are interested in a range of projects you have done including personal work outside of school or college. If you take photos, show them.

Sketchbooks/sketching

You should include sketches that illustrate the development of your final design proposal. We are interested in your early ideas and the thinking that led to your final finished work (how you developed an idea into a fully-formed design).

How will your portfolio be reviewed?

Due to the possibility of travel restrictions relating to Covid-19 the Kingston School of Art (KSA) courses will not be able to undertake interviews. The Course staff team and student panel will undertake the selection process, considering the quality of your creative practice presented in your portfolio, your personal statement and your UCAS application with your supporting references.

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Modules will be delivered by means of lectures, seminars, workshops, group critique, individual tutorials, demonstration, projects, briefings, study visits, peer learning, independent learning and study skills.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for final assignments. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.

Your workload

Time spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity

Year 1: 54%
Year 2: 62%
Year 3: 61%

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

Type of learning and teaching

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1

Scheduled learning and teaching: 644 hours
Guided independent study (self-managed time): 566 hours

Year 2

Scheduled learning and teaching: 738 hours
Guided independent study (self-managed time): 462 hours

Year 3

Scheduled learning and teaching: 736 hours
Guided independent study (self-managed time): 461 hours

How you will be assessed

Assessment typically comprises exams (e.g. test or exam), practical (e.g. presentations, performance) and coursework (e.g. essays, reports, self-assessment, portfolios, dissertation). The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Type of assessment

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1

Coursework: 100%

Year 2

Coursework: 100%

Year 3

Coursework: 100%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

We accept groups of around 50 students per year. Teaching class sizes vary from the total year group for briefings to group teaching of 25, 15 or smaller. However, this can vary by module and academic year.

Who teaches this course?

This Product & Furniture Design BA (Hons) course is taught in the Design School, Kingston School of Art. Our staff are practising designers, researchers and academics who'll enrich your student experience with contemporary issues, events and challenges. Influential guest speakers reinforce the currency of the course, providing the latest insights into practice.

Mr Philip Davies

Course leader and admissions tutor

Damian Chapman

Head of Design School

Dr Sylvia Tzvetanova Yung

Head of 3D department

Mr Jon Harrison

Miss Rosemary Anrude

Professor Daniel Charny MBE

Dr Azadeh Fatehrad

Mr Mark Gower

Mr Alex Hellum

Dr Stephen Knott

Links with business and industry

Foster & Partners - We have collaborated on live industry projects, including studio visits and a professional practice workshops. Foster & Partners offer paid internships to our graduates.
Joined & Jointed - Live furniture project with two winning student designs chosen for manufacture. To be launched at 100 Design September 2019.
SCP - Sponsor a Live industry furniture and product project with us.
Coakley & Cox - Course visit to their upholstery factory in Norfolk UK.
Bisque (radiators) - Live design project with Bisque.
John Lewis & Partners - A number of live projects including a furniture-based project and a ceramics project for the House brand.
Very Good & Proper - A live furniture-based project with VG&P design team.
New Balance - Live furniture project with 12 full-size furniture pieces made for the NB Olympic Experience Centre (London).

Facilities

You'll use our studio spaces and facilities to experiment and explore new ways to push the boundaries of projects and open discourse across disciplines.

Collaborative and multi-disciplinary teamwork is actively encouraged between students, across faculty courses, international institutions and with industry.

Throughout the course, you'll be encouraged to explore and develop expertise in current design approaches, techniques, media, and application including branding, editorial, interactive design, packaging and 3D design, advertising, information design, digital moving image, sustainable and experiential design.

Skills and techniques such as typography, photography, moving image, printmaking, rapid proto-typing, analysis and research, human factors, presentation, interactive and graphic software all support project work by helping realise solution-led ideas.

More about facilities at Kingston School of Art

Gallery of student work

Sensory Repairable Long-life Kettle

Masahiko Ito

Greenpipes Vertical Garden

Emma Appleton - Green Grads Change Maker Award 2021

Greenpipes Vertical Garden

Emma Appleton - Green Grads Change Maker Award 2021

Upstairs for Thinking Student Exhibition at SCP London

London Design Festival

Upstairs for Thinking Student Exhibition at SCP London

London Design Festival

Sand

Ellie Perry - Design-Nation Sustainability Innovator Award 2021

Sand, ceramic bottle

Ellie Perry - Design-Nation Sustainability Innovator Award 2021

In the studio

Ellie Perry working in the studio

Set Tee

Charlotte McGowan - Young Furniture Makers Design Award 2021 and Robin & Lucienne Day Foundation Award 2021

Course fees and funding

2024/25 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2024/25 the fees for this course are:

Fee category	Amount
Home (UK students)	£9,250*
International	Year 1 (2024/25): £18,400 Year 2 (2025/26): £19,200 Year 3 (2026/27): £19,900

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2023/24 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2023/24 the fees for this course are:

Fee category	Amount
Home (UK students)	£9,250*
International	Year 1 (2023/24): £16,500 Year 2 (2024/25): £16,800 Year 3 (2025/26): £17,100

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies from the 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Materials and equipment

Materials for the development and experimentation of your projects in the studio and workshops will cost between £100-£200 per year. You will also need to purchase tools, which will serve you for the duration of your studies, at a cost of £50.

For the duration of your studies, you will need a laptop (estimated costs start at £500). The minimum specification of the laptop is CPU 2.6 GHz+, 8GB Memory RAM. The laptop will also need to support 3D CAD software for your course, such as Revit, SolidWorks, KeyShot, Vectorworks and 3D Photoshop, which the university will provide you with access to.

Field trips

There will be some site and industry visits, which will incur an estimated travel cost of £12.70 per visit.

Student successes

Futon Company - Small Space Living 2018

Sammi Cherryman - Aerate Cabinet

Awarded first prize of £1000

Slatted cabinet / room divider system.

LiCC Award

London International Creative Competition

Student Design Award, Awarded to Mashiko Ito

School Chair, design to improve student concertation through variable seating posture.

New Designers 100% Design Award 2018

Awarded to Jiawei Sun Magneto Lights. Her prize was her own stand at 100% design show 2018.

Pendant and floor lighting system using magnets as a joining system.

New Designers / Shortlisted for John Lewis Loves 2018

Alex Geal- Pressed steal cutlery.

New Designers / Shortlisted for John Lewis Loves 2018

Jiawei Sun - wall shelving.

New Designers/ Shortlisted for Made.com / Talent Lab

Hannah Llewellyn - Balance light

New Designers / Shortlisted for Joseph & Joseph Loves

Oksana Bondar - Food skins. 'No supermarket packaging' revolution.

New Designers: Shortlisted for Belmond Loves

Poppy Pippin - Moss tiles

Exhibited at 100% Design 2018, Selected as one of UK's top Green Hero's 2019 (Kevin McCloud)

SCP Design Brief Award 2018

Awarded to Poppy Booth

Soap Box & Megaphone, featured on the cover of Blueprint Magazine.

Manufactured work

Dominic Postlethwaite

'Crush stools' an exploration of the crush bending process.

What our graduates say

The best thing about this course is that it has lots of very talented and kind tutors. They willingly have individual tutorials apart from regular tutorials, which helped me with my projects so much. Also, the teaching staff had links to current designers in London, so we were able to meet real designers and access internship opportunities.

I think one of the other advantages of studying on this course was that I was able to learn practically as well as digitally – one of the most important things for the professional design field. The harder I worked, the more the course helped me. I got internship opportunities, where I met some amazing designers in the capital.

Kingston School of Art is located really well: I could focus on studying in the calm environment on campus but also often visited galleries and design studios in London, as the campus is so close. It has amazing facilities to make any type of artwork or prototype.

Masahiko Ito

The course is really an amazing family who you get to know over three years. Your fellow students, the tutors and all the workshop technicians staff are part of "your team" helping to improve your own work and knowledge.

The course introduces many live clients and projects that help give professional experience. These connections that you make are very personal and are one of the many treasures that really sets P&FD at Kingston apart. Beyond that, the opportunities to connect with alumni to gain work experience or industry insight is really great. For me, this brought three different internships working with P&FD graduates. We are really like a giant family – not only during your time at Kingston, but also out in the real world. You can find one or two of us almost anywhere in the world!

Lauren Best, service designer at Ideactio Singapore (2018 graduate)

Studying on the P&FD course has been a 360 degree turning experience for me as a person as well as a designer. They say you get out what you put in. When I think of those three years, with the outstanding team of academic and technical staff, the following also applies: be ready to absorb what you're about to be given.

This P&FD course is a meticulously-curated and carefully-guided adventure into the world of design and self discovery which I'd always recommend.

Oksana Bondar, designer at BIOHM (2018 graduate)

I thoroughly enjoyed the course, especially the ‘thinking through making' ethos. I found the broad range of projects we did helped me gain skills in a variety of areas including CAD, woodworking and model-making. Now working as a junior designer, I have been praised for my making abilities and hands-on understanding of materials.

One of the course highlights was the ‘Toolkit' lecture series. My current employment was sparked from a Toolkit talk and subsequent summer internship. The Toolkit series had insightful lectures which were held regularly where a guest designer from industry came in to speak about their own experiences careers and practices.

Tom Postlethwaite, designer at Studio Make Believe (2018 graduate)

After you graduate

Graduates work globally in product and furniture design, industrial design, exhibition design and interior design. Many graduates establish their own design companies whilst others progress to postgraduate study.

Examples of roles include:

creative director
design director
design manager
design consultant
furniture consultant
furniture buyer
freelance designer
industrial designer
3D designer
packaging designer
product and furniture designer
product design manager
service designer

Employers that look for graduates in this field include:

Established & Sons (design team London)
Richard Brendon
John Lewis (design team)
Heal's Design
Habitat Design Studio
Ideactio (design team Singapore)
Conran (design team)
Robert Welch
Lego (Denmark)
Dyson (Design Studio)
Hay / Hay London
Foster & Partners (Industrial design team)
Marks & Spencer (design team)
Pinch (Russell Pinch studio design team)
Stella McCartney (design team)
Studio Makebelieve (Anthony Dickens)
Sony (design team)
Samsung (design team Europe)
Sebastian Bergne Studio
Hasbro (toys)

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.