3D Design Pathway

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3D DESIGN PATHWAY

This course is your gateway into the world of 3D Design, where ideas evolve from concept to fully realised outcomes through an exciting, hands-on creative process. You鈥檒l explore the entire design journey starting with in-depth research, moving through material experimentation and design development, into prototyping and ultimately producing refined final pieces that showcase your vision.

Along the way, you鈥檒l adopt innovative and experimental approaches to making, building a high-quality portfolio ready for progression into Higher Education. With access to extensive workshop facilities, you鈥檒l work across a wide range of materials including card, ceramics, glass, plastic, metal and wood, as well as cutting-edge digital tools like laser cutters and 3D printers.

Designed for those who are curious, driven and ready to push their creativity, this course challenges you to think like a designer, solve real problems and produce work that stands out.

This course prepares students for Undergraduate study in:

3D Design, Product Design, Craft, Jewellery Design, Silversmithing, Accessories Design, Sustainable Product Design, Furniture Design, Design Crafts, Applied Craft, Industrial Design, Automotive Design, Ceramic Design, Sculpture.

WE PROVIDE

Students will be actively supported through a hands-on approach, including extensive contact time with their tutors and access to the materials and equipment they need to reach their full potential.鈥€疉ll learning takes place in dedicated and equipped specialist studios with a digital library of key practical and digital demonstrations and lectures available for students to reference.

To help our young artists we provide an artist pack on arrival, with the essential tools to start project work. All students will also receive:

Access to all the Adobe software (Photoshop, InDesign, Premier Pro,鈥疉udition,鈥疉fter Effects)
Free colour printing
Dedicated workstation鈥痑nd iMac鈥�
Access to our 3D workshop with a laser cutter, 3D printer and vacuum former
Use of鈥痮ur professional-standard鈥痯hotography studio and equipment鈥�(cameras, lighting, backdrops)鈥�
Access to in-studio library resources

THE AWARD

Upon successful completion of the Foundation Diploma, students will be awarded the UAL Level 3 or 4 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design.

Upon successful completion of the Extended Diploma, students will be awarded the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication.

The UAL Level 3 & 4 Diplomas are quality assured by the UAL Awarding Body through a rigorous external moderation process and grades are monitored against agreed national standards. They are also regulated by Ofqual.鈥�

鈥�园区淫乱 has great professional tutors and a good atmosphere. We also have a lot of workshops and materials that we can use so, I decided to join this school and to start my arts career.鈥�

Alice

Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 鈥� 3D Design pathway

COURSE OVERVIEW & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Foundation Diploma in Art & Design 鈥� 3D Design Pathway (1 Year)

OVERVIEW

Course Location鈥�听
颁补尘产谤颈诲驳别鈥�听

Course Length鈥�听
3 Terms鈥�听

Course Start鈥�听
September鈥痮r January听

Tutor Support鈥�听
Specialist staff support available 5 days a week.鈥�听
鈥�听
Studio Access鈥�听

Students have access to our Bridge House studios 5 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday. Our Sturton Street studios are open to students 7 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm Monday to Friday and from 11:00am to 5.45pm on Saturdays and Sundays.听

Awarding Body鈥�听
University of the Arts London Awarding Body鈥�听

How your work is assessed鈥€�听
Visual and written assignments and projects. With specifications set by UAL听Awarding听Body.鈥€�听
鈥�听
English Language鈥�听
Up to 5 hours per week if听required鈥�听
鈥�听
笔谤辞驳谤别蝉蝉颈辞苍鈥�听
Guaranteed progression to any of our BA courses on successful completion of the Foundation Diploma. Students have progressed to听top institutions such as:听UAL: Central Saint Martins,听UAL: Camberwell College of Arts,听UAL: Chelsea College of Arts,听UAL: London College of Fashion,听Glasgow School of Art,听Goldsmiths听University of London,听University for the Creative Arts,听Loughborough University,听University of Edinburgh,听Polimoda听(Italy),听University of Brighton,听Kingston University,听Carleton University听(Canada)听

Achievements听

100% of our students passed the UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design鈥痠n 2024-25听

ENTRY

础驳别鈥�听
17 years +鈥�听

Educational Level鈥�听
Completion of High School is needed or a minimum of 1 x Level 3 qualification, preferably in a relevant creative subject (i.e. A level) and 3 x GCSEs at grade 4 or grade C, including Maths and English and at least one of which should be in a creative arts subject.听

Students who do not meet听these entry听requirements will still be considered on their own individual potential to succeed subject to a portfolio review and interview.鈥�鈥�鈥�听

English Level for International Students鈥�听
IELTS 4.5+ (no element under 4.0)鈥�听

笔辞谤迟蹿辞濒颈辞鈥�听
A portfolio of work showing personal work, schoolwork, finished and prepared is听required听for this course. Your portfolio is the chance to show us your skills and your passion. Download our guide to see what we look for in a portfolio.鈥�听

Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication 鈥� 3D Design Pathway (2 Years)

OVERVIEW

Course Location鈥�听
颁补尘产谤颈诲驳别鈥�听

Course Length鈥�听
2 years (6听Terms)听

Course Start鈥�听
September鈥痮r January听

Tutor Support鈥�听
Specialist staff are timetabled 3 days a week, with staff across the department available Mondays to Fridays.鈥�听
鈥�听
Studio Access鈥�听

Awarding Body鈥�听
University of the Arts London Awarding Body鈥�听

How your work is assessed鈥€�听
Visual and written assignments and projects. With specifications set by UAL听Awarding听Body.鈥€�听
鈥�听
English Language鈥�听
Up to 5 hours per week if听required鈥�听
鈥�听
笔谤辞驳谤别蝉蝉颈辞苍鈥�听
Guaranteed progression to any of our BA courses on successful completion of the Foundation Diploma. Students have progressed to top institutions such as:听UAL: Central Saint Martins,听UAL: Camberwell College of Arts,听UAL: Chelsea College of Arts,听UAL: London College of Fashion,听Glasgow School of Art,听Goldsmiths听University of London,听University for the Creative Arts,听Loughborough University,听University of Edinburgh,听Polimoda听(Italy),听University of Brighton,听Kingston University,听Carleton University听(Canada)听

Achievements听

100% of our students passed the UAL鈥疎xtended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design & Communication听in 2024-25听

ENTRY

础驳别鈥�听
16听years +鈥�听

Educational Level鈥�听
Successful completion of Secondary Education (Year 10 or听Year 11 depending on the native country) is needed or 3 GCSEs at听Grade 4 or C or equivalent, preferably in a relevant creative subject.鈥�听

Students who do not meet听these entry听requirements will still be considered on their own individual potential to succeed, and invited to an interview and portfolio review鈥�听听

English Level for International Students鈥�听
IELTS 4.5+ (no element under 4.0)鈥�听

STRUCTURE

The following curriculum structure applies to both the one-year Foundation Diploma and the second year of the Extended Diploma.

FIRST TERM

At the start of the first term, you will take part in an induction week to meet tutors and students across different pathways. Throughout the term, you will work on collaborative projects that help you build connections, expand your skills and develop versatility.

园区淫乱 lecturers and pathway leaders will guide you in making informed university choices and developing your portfolio. You will also gain confidence in presenting and discussing your work, while documenting your creative process in a digital learning journal. This journal is submitted weekly via Canvas, allowing tutors to review your progress and provide regular feedback.

SECOND TERM

In the second term, you will apply the skills gained in your first term to a number of projects and live briefs. You will also explore a variety of themes relevant to environmental, social and political issues as you develop your critical and contextual skills and prepare for university interviews.鈥�

THIRD TERM

In your final term at 园区淫乱, you will consolidate your practice through your Final Major Project, an agreed proposal and self-directed project.

UNITS OF STUDY

Unit 1: Diagnostic Investigation into Creative Practice鈥�

In this听first听unit,听you听will undertake a diagnostic investigation into visual language and creative practices. This exploratory investigation allows听you听to become familiar with and experiment within a range of creative disciplines related to听Graphic Design & Illustration.鈥�听

Projects*鈥�听

Project 1:听That鈥檚听Absurd!鈥�听

Kickstart your journey into design with a project that challenges how you see the world around you, exploring the dynamic relationship between form and function.听You鈥檒l听begin by creating bold, surreal concepts using photocollage听before translating these concepts into precise visual communication. Through a progression from 2D sketching to orthographic and isometric drawing,听you鈥檒l听learn how to present your ideas with clarity,听structure听and professional accuracy. This project blends creativity with technical skill, encouraging you to think inventively while developing the tools designers use to bring even the most unconventional ideas to life.听

Project 2:鈥�2D to 3D: Flat Pack鈥�听

This project invites you to explore how flat, two-dimensional materials can be transformed into striking three-dimensional forms, challenging you to think like a designer and maker from the outset. Through in-depth research and investigation,听you鈥檒l听analyse objects that cleverly bridge 2D and 3D, then develop your own concepts using sketching alongside hands-on experimentation with paper and card. As your ideas evolve,听you鈥檒l听refine them through scaled drawings and model making, building precision and confidence in your design process. Supported by a series of practical workshops,听you鈥檒l听work with materials such as fibre board,听wood听and plastics, using tools like the laser cutter to bring your concepts to life with accuracy and impact.听听

Project 3: Scale in听Design 鈥撎鼸ncase鈥�听

Students are given a specific brief from a client to create a handmade object that encases and protects a particular item of significance such as an ancient book, an item of jewellery or a lock of hair. Students use 鈥榖oxes鈥� as a starting point for experimentation, expanding on this through a series of practical workshops that explore material properties and capabilities. Students will听be introduced to听a variety of materials including:听

Metal: Cutting, hammering, texturing, raising, piercing, soldering, polishing finishing.鈥�听

Ceramic: Coil and slab construction, hand modelling, glazing, gold lustre.鈥�听

Glass: Fusing, slumping.鈥�听

Other: Resin, silicone casting, laser cutting.鈥�听

听

鈥�*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging听new trends鈥�听

Skills听Developed鈥疘n听Unit 1听

3D Design听Research听Processes,听Problem听Solving,听Workshop Skills,听Experimental听Making Techniques,听Form听Versus听Function,听Visual听Language,听Design听Development,听Prototyping,听Reflection听& Evaluation听Skills,听Peer听Critique,听Presentation听Skills,听Portfolio听Development for听Higher听Education听Applications.鈥€�听

Unit 2: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 3)

This unit will provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the knowledge, skills and practices you have developed in Unit 1听and to define听your听creative ambitions by encouraging a holistic approach to a range of activities, which will support, contextualise and position听your听creative endeavours听within听3D Design.听

Projects*鈥�听

Project 1:鈥疪einventing听The听Wheel鈥€�听

This project pushes you to rethink the everyday by challenging your assumptions about how familiar products look, work听and who听they鈥檙e听for. Using bold, conceptual thinking and creative problem-solving,听you鈥檒l听take an existing object and completely reimagine it,听transforming its design,听function听or purpose for a new audience. Whether you shift its appeal to a different age group or adapt it for a specific need or ability,听you鈥檒l听explore how design can reshape experience and meaning.听It鈥檚听an opportunity to innovate, disrupt expectations and develop ideas that feel fresh,听purposeful听and forward-thinking.听

听

Project 2:听The听Next听Best听Thing!听

Step into the future of design by exploring听emerging听trends and forecasting what comes next. In this project,听you鈥檒l听investigate听cutting-edge听ideas shaping the industry and use them as a springboard to develop bold, forward-thinking concepts. Blending imagination with practical听design thinking,听you鈥檒l听create innovative outcomes tailored for a fictional future-focused exhibition, challenging you to think like both a designer and a trend forecaster. This is your chance to push boundaries,听anticipate听what鈥檚听next听and produce work that feels visionary, relevant, and ahead of its time.听

听

Project听3: University听Research听& Application鈥�听

This unit is designed to support you at every stage of researching,听shortlisting听and applying to university.听You鈥檒l听receive regular guidance through weekly personal tutor sessions and one-to-one tutorials during the Autumn term. In September, a dedicated UCAS week includes a visit to the London UCAS Fair, where you can explore courses, meet university representatives and ask questions directly.听

Students are expected to gather a body of research evidence, develop a personal听statement听and听submit听a portfolio of work from across the course,听applying the skills learned in听your Portfolio听Skills classes.鈥�听

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging听new trends.听

Skills听Developed听In听Unit 2鈥�听

Market听&听Client听Research,鈥疌ustomer听Profiling,听Contextual听& Technical听Research,听Design听Principles, 3D听Drawing听&听Realisation听Using听Digital听& Analogue听Methods,鈥疨ractical听Construction听Skills,听Material Properties & Experimentation, Workshop Skills,听Presentation听&听Communication听Skills.鈥�听

Unit 3: Developing Specialist Practice (Level 4)

Projects*鈥�听

Project 1:鈥疪einventing听The听Wheel鈥€�听

听

Project 2:听The听Next听Best听Thing!听

Step into the future of design by exploring听emerging听trends and forecasting what comes next. In this project,听you鈥檒l听investigate听cutting-edge听ideas shaping the industry and use them as a springboard to develop bold, forward-thinking concepts. Blending imagination with practical design thinking,听you鈥檒l听create innovative outcomes tailored for a fictional future-focused exhibition, challenging you to think like both a designer and a trend forecaster. This is your chance to push boundaries,听anticipate听what鈥檚听next听and produce work that feels visionary, relevant, and ahead of its time.听

听

Project听3: University听Research听& Application鈥�听

*Projects are examples and may change from year to year depending on the nature of live projects working with external partners, current exhibitions and visits planned and emerging听new trends.听

Skills听Developed听In听Unit听3听

Unit 4: Consolidating Practice鈥�

This unit aims to provide听you听with an opportunity to take control of听your听own learning and听demonstrate听your听creative talent听by independently听initiating, researching,听completing听and evaluating a project proposal and its听final outcome.听

Skills听Developed听In听Unit 4鈥�听

By this stage in the course, it is expected that听you听will have听acquired听the necessary skills knowledge and understanding to undertake听your听devised project听with confidence, however investigation into new skills is encouraged and听supported听where possible.听You听may take听advantage of the 3D workshop or join one of the varied specialist workshops offered across the department.鈥�听

SUBJECTS

Students enjoy weekly sessions in the following subjects:

Contextual and Thematic Studies

This class is designed to spark ideas and get you inspired. Sessions might start with a dynamic talk, visual presentation, or group discussion, followed by hands-on creative tasks, written work or short activities.

Here you are introduced to a diverse range of artists, designers, brands, concepts and ideas linked to different cultures, genres, and time periods. These sessions are intended to broaden your knowledge, skills and understanding of wider contexts within Art and Design and provide you with research opportunities and reference materials to support the development of your own practical skills and creative ideas.鈥�

Art & Design Workshops and Practical Sessions

Art and Design workshops at 园区淫乱 are energetic, hands-on and designed to push your creativity in new directions. You鈥檒l experiment with a wide range of materials and processes, building strong practical and technical skills that feed directly into an exciting, original portfolio. There鈥檚 a real focus on taking creative risks, testing ideas, embracing mistakes and making unexpected discoveries along the way.

You鈥檒l develop a broad and adaptable skill set that reflects the versatility needed in today鈥檚 creative industries. Alongside specialist workshops, you鈥檒l also have dedicated studio time to focus on your own projects, giving you the freedom to explore your ideas and shape your individual creative voice.

Reflective Studies

These weekly sessions give you the chance to consolidate your learning, track your progress, and reflect on your creative journey. With guidance from your tutors, you will build valuable skills in managing your projects, from self-evaluation and critical thinking to improving your written communication, presentation and organisation.

You鈥檒l develop a strong, well-documented learning journal that captures your ideas and growth. The sessions also include one-to-one tutorials, individual presentations, peer feedback and group critiques to help you grow in confidence and learn how to talk about your work like a creative professional.

Experimental Studies

All students take part in two hours of Experimental Studies each week, dynamic sessions designed to push your creativity beyond your comfort zone. You鈥檒l experiment with a wide range of media and processes, embracing risk-taking, play and discovery as part of your creative development. The work you produce contributes directly to your unit assessments, making these sessions both exploratory and impactful.

Experimental Studies also open the door to incredible real-world opportunities. Students have exhibited their work publicly at the Cambridge Festival, collaborating with researchers, students and faculty at the University of Cambridge. Work has been showcased in inspiring venues such as St Catharine鈥檚 College, The Whipple Museum and The Museum of Zoology, giving you the chance to share your ideas with a wider audience and experience what it鈥檚 like to be part of the professional creative world.

Personal Tutor Time

You鈥檒l have a dedicated session each week with your personal tutor, giving you consistent support and guidance throughout your course. In the first term, the focus is on exploring your progression options and preparing for university applications, with plenty of time for research and one-to-one support.

As you move towards your final unit, the emphasis shifts to strengthening your study skills and preparing for your Project Proposal and final major project, helping you stay focused, organised and ready to produce your best work.

Portfolio Skills

This weekly class in the first term is designed to help you build a strong, professional portfolio for your university applications. You鈥檒l learn how to use Adobe Creative Suite to present your work effectively, while developing a clear understanding of what makes a portfolio stand out. The course explores different portfolio formats and expectations, helping you tailor your work to suit specific universities and 3D Design related courses.

With guidance from specialist tutors who are experienced in their fields, you鈥檒l receive expert advice on how to select, refine and present your work to its full potential. You鈥檒l be supported in shaping a portfolio that reflects your individual creative voice while meeting the requirements of your chosen institutions. Your 3D Design tutor will oversee your final submission, ensuring you feel confident and fully prepared without the need for additional portfolio classes outside of 园区淫乱.

English Classes (if required)

For international students who have an IELTS with any element 5.5 or lower, English classes are timetabled to aid progression to university. Through a variety of teaching styles, we focus on four key skills you need to pass your IELTS exam; listening, reading, writing and spoken English. This subject is linked with Art and Design, so you are better equipped with the vocabulary to analyse and reflect upon your own and others鈥� work.

Assessments

Units 1, and 2 or 3 can only听attain听a Pass or Fail. All units need to be passed to gain the Foundation Diploma at the end of the year.鈥�听

Only Unit 4 will be graded Pass, Merit, Distinction听or听Fail. This grade will听determine听the grade given for the Foundation Diploma overall. To help you understand the level you are working at, submissions for Units 1 and 2 or 3 will be given a referral, satisfactory pass, good听pass听or excellent pass with written comments to听identify听specific areas of strength and weakness relating to the assessment criteria. This will help you understand the level you are working at and make progress towards the higher grades in Unit 4.鈥€�听

Ongoing and Informal Assessment:鈥�听

Every week,听your听learning journal will be checked by your tutor and feedback given to guide learning, improvements and听identify听gaps to support progress. Throughout workshops and practical sessions, tutors will circulate and provide verbal feedback on work in progress. Questioning individuals and groups听is听an important part of assessing students鈥櫶齯nderstanding and helps tutors to听modify听activities to better suit the needs of individuals and the whole group.鈥�听

Self-Assessment:鈥�听

Students should use checklists issued for each project to help organisation and manage coursework for submission, ensuring that all assessment criteria are covered. Weekly written reflections will help to听identify听understanding and personal areas of strength and weakness and will be key to the dialogue between student and tutor. Peer reviews and group discussions will also aid self-review and provide the group with peer support and exemplars to better understand the standards. Prior to formal assessments, you will need to complete your own self-assessment against the assessment criteria.鈥�听

Formal Assessments:鈥�听

There will be a formative assessment usually halfway through each Unit. Work to date will be听submitted听electronically through Canvas, our online learning platform. Here the progress you have made so far will be formally assessed against the assessment听objectives. Work will be given a referral if it does not yet meet the standards for pass.听鈥�All assessment criteria must receive at least a pass to听attain听a pass overall. Similarly, to听attain听a Merit or Distinction in Unit 4, all assessment criteria much reach that level. You will receive comments to听identify听specific areas of strength and weakness relating to the assessment criteria. Following formative assessments, improvements can be made to projects prior to the summative assessment.鈥�听

Summative Assessment:听

The summative assessment at the end of a unit follows the same format as the formative assessment. Any student who receives a referral in the summative assessment will be given a week to complete the necessary work听required听to achieve a pass level. An individual action plan will be provided with listed evidence to听submit/resubmit.听