"Perita shows inventiveness and maturity across her work. It is well thought out and well resolved. She demonstrates the recognition of the fact that simple ideas, executed elegantly is often enough. Whilst being confident and convicing, she is also very honest and modest."

 

 

 

What is Contemporary Furniture?

If you want to design and make full size furniture, where the emphasis is on concept and design ideas then you are probably a Contemporary Furniture candidate. This course teaches you how to think clearly and rationally about designing furniture for batch and mass production.  It develops within you the ability to create new and original concepts for furniture forms using the latest production techniques and the newest materials. Design ideas are the key to this course where skills of making and construction work hand in hand with original thinking to realise the finest of contemporary furniture forms.

Key features of the course:

The course works with major companies within the contemporary furniture design industry, setting projects, which encourage exploration and innovation as well as realistic furniture outcomes for public and domestic use. Companies contributing to the course this year include, Isokon, Ercol, Matthew Hilton Furniture, SCP, and Homebase.  The course prides itself on being the best in the country for establishing concept and ideas led furniture with a functional and realistic outcome which can immediately be taken up by British and European manufacturers. Annual shows and involvement with the Milan Furniture Fair have established this course at the forefront of this type of success – over 25 designs have been put into production with those European manufacturers as a direct result of the showing third year and graduate work in Milan.

What will I learn?

You will learn to use a rigorous design process which guarantees you the highest quality of output - putting you at the forefront of contemporary designers of your generation. Through a series of three years of carefully constructed learning experiences directed by specifically designed briefs you will learn to think, write, talk, make, and present your work to the highest professional standards. This ensures successful preparation for your future career in the furniture design industry.

Large open access workshops offering a diverse range of materials and processes make the realisation of your ideas entirely attainable. Links with local industry and manufacturers add to the breadth of possibilities for up to the minute technologies and processes.

Broad subject learning and annual course involvement in European exhibitions ensure an International perspective on current ideas and developments.

What are my career prospects?

The vast majority of students from the course become freelance designers, or furniture designers working within design offices as significant contributors to a larger team - such as in architectural practices. The broad vision of the course and the breadth of skills taught also means that some students become interested in a vast array of  associated furniture related outputs such as curating, journalism, model making, computer visualising, teaching, architectural assisting and magazine styling, to name but a few..

Graduate profile:

John Slater, joined on year 2 of the course after a unhappy BA experience at another UK design institution. John quickly settled into the friendly  but demanding work schedule at Bucks and produced some exceptional designed furniture for his BA degree show.
John won the Ercol design prize in his third year of the course and won the New Designers Designer of the Year title upon graduation in 2006. He now works for internationally renowned product and furniture designer Shin Azumi at his design office in London.

“Contemporary Furniture at Bucks met my expectations of a good design education and then exceeded it. I left the course with a good portfolio of work from both my second and third year study, and was immediately awarded a major design prize at New Designers.
My first job as a designer was with Shin Azumi – I joined on a placement but am now employed full time as his assistant. Bucks certainly gave me both the creative and professional emphasis I needed to secure such a position and the course reputation certainly opened the door to the interview for the job.”

Application information: Your Interview

Applicants will be interviewed with their portfolios. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain your suitability for the course you have chosen, your individual motivation and interests and whether Buckinghamshire New University is right for you.

Portfolio Requirements:

The interview usually requires a portfolio review, although mature students or students returning to education are encouraged to apply and discuss their specific situation at interview.

What we are looking for during a portfolio review is a good appreciation of the third dimension, an ability to communicate in terms of drawing, and an indication that you can process such information and begin the process of developing ideas from it. Examples of your work and final pieces are also great to see, as they will show your sensitivity to materials.

Entry requirements: 
Relevant ‘A’ levels + portfolio
160-200 UCAS points

Want to find out more?
To find out more about courses and End of year show, please have a look at Bucks TV and YouTube.

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More information available through:

Tel: 0800 0565 660
Email: advice@bucks.ac.uk