MA Product Design

Welcome to UCAStarting university is a big moment – congratulations! By joining UCA, you’ve chosen an exciting and rewarding path.

As you join our community of students, artists and academics, you’ll explore how you can use your talent to shape the future of the world around you, and design a career that inspires you.

Our university is a place for the bold, the curious, the extraordinary - as you’ll see for yourself when you meet your lecturers, technicians and classmates. On your course, you can expect to learn from practicing artists, innovators and researchers, collaborate with students across different creative disciplines, and make connections with industry leaders.

At the end of it all, you’ll graduate with the skills and experience you need to build a successful career doing what you love, in a way that makes a difference.

We believe the world needs more people like you, and we’re delighted to have you with us.

Make your mark. Make it here.

opinion, second to none.

We look forward to seeing you,

Mark Gower and Rentaro Nishimura

Course Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to MA Product Design at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. You are about to embark on an exciting new venture, which we hope will enable you to grow into one of the product design professionals of the future.

With access to industry quality equipment and the know-how and passion to succeed, we know you'll gain a breadth of knowledge and experience here that you can take with you into a successful career.

To be a good designer takes a lot of hard work, and a willingness to take risks and make mistakes along the way, but if you are up for the challenge you will be rewarded with a career in an industry that is, in our

Your Team

Mark Gower Programme Director

+44 (0)1252 892759

mgower@uca.ac.uk

Rentaro NisihmuraCourse Leader

rentaro.nishimura@uca.ac.uk

Mark GowerProgramme Director

– What you would like to research/achieve while on the course?

– How you are planning to develop your research interests (research methods)?

– What kind of skills/knowledge do you have/need to acquire in order to achieve your study proposal?

– Why did you choose to study on the MA Product Design course at UCA Farnham?

– Adamson, Glenn (2007) Thinking ThroughCraft, Berg Publishers

– Harrod, Tanya (2015) The Real Thing:Essays on Making in the Real World, HyphenPress

– Norman, Donald A (1998) The Design ofEveryday Things, MIT Press

– Racz, Imogen (2008) ContemporaryCraft, Berg Publishers Editors of Phaidon

– (2013) The Design Book, Phaidon Press

Recommended – Adamson, Glenn (2010) The Craft Reader,

Berg Publishers

– Harrod, Tanya (1995) The Crafts in Britainin the 20th Century, Yale University Press

– Koplos, Janet and Metcalf, Bruce (2010)Makers: A History of American Studio Craft,

The University of North Carolina Press

– Lefteri, Chris (2012) Making It:Manufacturing Techniques for ProductDesign. MIT Press

– Norman, Donald A. (2013) The Design of Everyday Things. MIT Press

– Eames: The Architect & The Painter (2011) Dir. Jason Cohn & Bill Jerseyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YMzmuBBBzo

– 1/2 The Culture Show - The Unstoppable Thomas Heatherwick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCP97dZ55dw

– 2/2 The Culture Show - The UnstoppableThomas Heatherwick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shAohCKSFAM

Summer Project

Study Proposal Over the summer you are required to produce a study proposal (of around 500 – 1000 words) which describes your research interests and the context of your study proposal. It should include answers to the following questions:

Reading List

– Eames: The Architect & The Painter (2011)Dir. Jason Cohn & Bill Jerseyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YMzmuBBBzo

– 1/2 The Culture Show - The Unstoppable Thomas Heatherwick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCP97dZ55dw

– 2/2 The Culture Show - The UnstoppableThomas Heatherwick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shAohCKSFAM

Watch List

We have noted a few items below that would be advisable to bring with you.

– A broad selection of drawing materials, e.g. marker pens, pencils, fine line drawing pens, an A3 layout pad:

– A5 note book, e.g. Moleskine

– USB data stick e.g. 16GB

– A4 file and plastic sleeves

– 300mm steel rule, scalpels, scissors and A3 cutting mat.

An Apple Mac or PC laptop – a computer and software can be purchased with a student discount once you arrive at UCA , though in several instances’ essential CAD software will be provided free to students for the duration of your course – we will give you more information on this once you arrive.

You’ll have access to both Macs and PC desktop computers, but a laptop is useful to enable you to work outside of UCA or in our design studio.

A camera or a mobile phone with a higher quality lens is essential for recording information, e.g. site visits, trips or just an everyday record of inspiring references.

You may like to bring any hand tools you have that are useful in relation to your pathway. However, we do have enough equipment for you to use while you develop your work.

Any personal electrical items will need to be PAT tested by the Resource Team before they can be used on campus.

Course Costs

There will be costs incurred during the course for materials - you'll be responsible for the costs of the materials for your personal research and projects.

However, please do discuss this with your tutors and staff first, as there may be opportunities for course or University assistance, alternative materials that can be used for experimentation and grants and funding available at various times of the year.

Equipment List

Explore UCA Farnham

Meet our campus community

I love UCA Farnham because... “Being a student at UCA is amazing, it’s like a big creative family. The opportunities and the facilities are incredible.”

I love UCA Farnham because... “The thing I like the most at Farnham is the people! I love working with students in workshops and recording sessions.”

Abigail Marsh – BA (Hons) Jewellery & Silversmithing

Vangelis Katsinas – Tutor technician, Sound Production

by Katie Hinton

My top spots

A student’s guide to… Farnham

As an international student who arrived in the UK completely unfamiliar with Farnham, I have found it to be the most friendly and welcoming place.

The campus might seem like a bit of a labyrinth at first, but you get used to it and it’s astonishing to see just how many incredible facilities it has, even for really niche subjects.

Farnham town centre is right on the doorstep, and I love its community vibe. There’s always something going on, and for me it’s just the right balance between a big city and my home (a rural town). Alongside the friendliness of everyone at UCA, that has really helped me feel settled.

Farnham CastleThere’s so much green space to explore in Farnham, whether it’s walking along the river or going to the Castle, where I love to do my sketches when the weather is nice.

The MaltingsThis is a great arts venue and there’s always something going on for you to enjoy or take part in. I really recommend it.

New Ashgate Gallery It’s free to get in here and they have about 20 different exhibitions going on through the year. I pop in when I can to see what’s on.

Tasty House I always end up getting some Chinese takeaway here when I go into London, as it’s right by the train station. It’s really good food, reasonably priced and it comes in reusable packaging, which is great.

The Wheatsheaf This is the pub that me and my coursemates go to every once in a while. It’s got a really nice atmosphere, and lots of choice when it comes to food and drink.

“ I love the community vibe of Farnham. There’s always something going on – it’s the most friendly and welcoming place.”

Lion & Lamb Yard Lion & Lamb Yard

New Ashgate Gallery

Gostrey Meadows

What could you create?

During your time with us, you’ll build your skills and hone your talents to produce some incredible work. Here are a few highlights created by recent graduates…

Malik Nieto ArtsIssey Hennessy

Sophie Lou

Becky Stapley

Anastasija Strelcova

Our graduates are forging stellar careers in fields from Fashion to Film, Architecture to Craft, Business to Games Design. We caught up with a few to find out more about their successes, and how they made the most the most of the UCA experience…

Phoebe Fox

BA (Hons) Music Marketing and Promotion, 2019Soon after completing her degree, Phoebe was touring the world photographing the likes of The Amazons and Anne Marie – a journey that began while she was still a student.

“I contacted small bands I liked to ask for photo passes to their London gigs, and used the UCA equipment to build a portfolio,” she explains.

“I spent three years balancing touring, festivals, shows and portraits with university commitments. The UCA lecturers were incredibly supportive. After I handed in my final major project, I went home to pack and got straight on a tour bus with Anne Marie.”

Tihara Smith

BA (Hons) Fashion, 2018Fashion graduate Tihara Smith’s final degree project - a collection inspired by her grandparents’ experiences as part of the Windrush Generation – set her up for career success.

“I wanted to highlight the positive contribution of the Windrush Generation and celebrate the islands of the Caribbean,” she says.

After graduating, Tihara widened her range and started selling it online and at festivals, markets and wedding fairs, and it proved so popular that she now runs her business full-time. “It’s been really exciting to see it grow,” she says. “I think some of the best collections are created from real stories that are personal to the creator.”

Where could your talent take you?

Phoebe Fox, photographed by Vendy Palkovicova. Tihara Smith. Picture by Kayleigh Pace.

Will McGregor

BA (Hons) Film & Digital Art, 2010Will has amassed credits directing episodes of cult drama Misfits, period saga Poldark, his first feature film, Gwen, and an episode of His Dark Materials.

“Space, time and support to make my own work was the greatest gift UCA gave me,” he says. “The campus felt like an incubator for creativity; all these creative individuals in one place, with access to kit and exposure to new ideas.”

“Make the most of that opportunity to make work and meet people, and make sure you get your work out there – enter all the student festivals and competitions you can!”

Hannah Bamgbala

BA (Hons) Fashion, Media and Promotion, 2020Hannah Bamgbala’s final degree work was inspired by her sister, Mercy, who has Down’s Syndrome and a serious eye for fashion.

Hannah’s Young, Kool and African website focused on bringing greater diversity to fashion and the media, and she’s gone on to work with the Down’s Syndrome Association to make sure that people of all ethnicities are better represented in their campaigns.

“If you have Down’s Syndrome and are Black — or from another ethnic minority background — there is no one visible for you and your family to relate to,” says Hannah. “That has to change.”

Will McGregor on set

Hannah Bamgbala and her sister, Mercy.

Jamie Windust

Lucy Noble

World Health Sanitation Box ©George Stoneham

Lucy Noble

BA (Hons) Film Production, 2014Lucy has worked as a script supervisor on films including Marvel Studios’ Black Widow, hit series Devs, Elton John musical Rocketman and Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One.

“I dabbled with script supervision throughout my degree,” says Lucy. “I reached out to script supervisors working professionally, asking for the chance to shadow them on set. All that time in the UCA film studio was useful, too – definitely get in there and practice in that arena, where you have a huge amount of control; it’s something you won’t always get when working on location.”

George Stoneham

BA (Hons) Architecture (ARB/RIBA part 1), 2020George caught the eye of the RIBA Rethink 2025 judges, securing a place on the prestigious award’s longlist with an idea to turn former telephone and police boxes into “sanitation stations” that allow people to sanitise themselves on the go.

“While designing the Sanitation Box, I realised how much our world will have to change to design clean and healthy architecture,” he says. “We need to break down compact cities like London and design new, expansive cities with more green spaces, fewer cars, and buildings that flow better.”

Jamie Windust

BA (Hons) Fashion Management and Marketing, 2018Since graduating, Jamie Windust has become a champion for LGBTQIA+ issues in the fashion industry and beyond. They are a magazine editor, a writer for Gay Times and Metro UK, a signed model and a consultant helping brands such as UGG and ASOS to better represent and impact queer identities.

“I discovered my sense of self at university, and I don’t think I would’ve been able to do that in such an affirming and positive way if I wasn’t at UCA,” says Jamie.

“In my final year, I got to apply everything I’d learned to starting a business I feel passionate about. It’s a great space for people to launch real, tangible brands.”

Need to knows

Getting hereOur address is:

UCA FarnhamFalkner RoadFarnhamSurreyGU9 7DSTel: +44 (0)1252 722 441

How to get hereFor information on parking, directions and how to reach us by car, rail, air, please visit: uca.ac.uk/contact-us

Planning your journey - Useful links

thetrainline.com (rail travel)

tfl.gov.uk (London underground)

nationalexpress.com (coach travel)

COVID security We want you to have the best university experience possible, and part of that is about feeling safe while you’re here. For more information about the safety measures we’ve put in place, visit uca.ac.uk/coronavirus

Key contactsIf you have any queries, you can contact our reception team on: +44(0) 1252 722441

IT, Library & student servicesOur library is home to a wide range of resources to help support you in your studies, and a team of expert advisers. For more information, visit students.uca.ac.uk/library

For IT support, please pop in to see the IT advisers in the Library during opening hours, or contact:

Tel. +44(0)1252 892710

Online: uca.ac.uk/it-help-students

Our student services hub, the Gateway, is also based in the library. Its specialist advisers can help you with anything from careers to counselling, accommodation, managing your money or support with disabilities or learning differences.

Info: students.uca.ac.uk/library/academic-support

Contact: gatewayfarnham@uca.ac.uk

Students’ UnionThe UCA Students union, or UCASU, is here to make your time at UCA amazing. They run social events, clubs and societies, and campaign on the issues that UCA students care about most. To learn more, visit ucasu.com or follow:

@ucasu

@ucasu

/ucasu

UCA SocialsTo stay up to date with all things UCA, why not follow us on social media?

@UniCreativeArts

@unicreativearts

/ucreativearts

unicreativearts

Course Enrolment & Induction Teaching begins

BA, BSc and MArch 20 - 24 September 27 September

Postgraduate 20 - 24 September 27 September

International Foundation (Autumn start) 20 September – 1 October 4 October

Christmas Break 2021 Easter Break 2022 2021-2022 year ends

20 Dec 2021 - 7 Jan 2022 4 Apr 2022 - 22 Apr 2022

10 Jun 2022 (BA, BSc & MArch)

13 May 2022 (International Foundation)

Enrolment and inductionEnrolment officially makes you a UCA student, and induction covers how to make the most of our facilities, libraries, IT and student services. You’ll receive an email with details of when and how to take part.

Vacation dates

Key dates

We have begun an exciting project and a new chapter in our 160-year history. From 2022, we’ll be establishing world-leading Centres of Excellence to bring like-minded students and academics together around their shared passion for creative subjects.

As we focus on growing as a global creative university, we will be stepping back from Further Education from September 2023. However, all Further Education students joining us in 2021 will finish their courses with us, as usual.

A new chapter for UCA

International student task list

If you’re an international student and you’re coming to the UK to study with us, then there are a few things you need to do along the way.

Follow the steps below – not all of them will apply to you, but make sure you check them all, just in case.

1) Before you leave home:

□ Arrange your visa to study in the UK (if required)

□ Arrange your accommodation.

□ Book your airport pick up to take you to your accommodation.

□ Complete your online enrolment. You will be notified by Admissions when this is available to complete.

□ Pack all of the original documents that you have used when completing your online enrolment in your carry-on luggage (including academic and English qualifications). These may be requested at Immigration.

□ Read this information on the cost of living in the UK (if you need any further information, please contact your campus Specialist Adviser).

2) When you arrive in the UK:

□ Collect your BRP card (only if you require a visa).

□ Register at the local police station (not all nationalities are required to do this – please click here for additional information).

□ Register with a local Doctor (GP).

□ You will need to provide all of the original documents that you brought to the UK with you at your physical enrolment. You will not be able to fully enrol on your course without them.

3) Once you have completed your physical enrolment:

□ Apply for your council tax letter (available via MyUCA once you are fully enrolled).

□ Apply for your Bank letter to open your local UK bank account (available via MyUCA once you are fully enrolled).

UC

A F

arnh

amFa

rnha

m

Cam

pus

map

@unicreativearts /ucreativearts search UCA on Messenger @unicreativearts /unicreativearts

#WeAreUCA

uca.ac.uk

Join us at #UCAliveWe run live Q&A sessions where you can ask us anything you like about what it’s like to live and study here at UCA. Visit our website and follow us on social media to find out about our next #UCAlive session.

Chat with our studentsIf you’re looking to find out more about student life at UCA, our Unibuddy scheme gives you the chance to chat with people who are studying here right now. To chat with a student in your subject area, visit: uca.ac.uk/ask-our-students

Connect with us

Course Title: MA Product Design

Programme Director: Mark Gower

Delivery for 2021/22 academic year

We would like to reassure our students that we are committed to delivering a face-to-face experience for 2021/22 and we are hoping that 2021/22 will be a year when our students can return to all of our campuses. However, we are aware that changes to our delivery may continue to be required in response to public health advice and as a result of any ongoing Coronavirus measures. We have prepared this information to let you know how your course may be adapted based on changes that were implemented during 2020/21, as a result of Government advice.

We are not planning on making any changes to your course or unit aims, learning outcomes, or assessment methods, under any of our delivery scenarios.

Scenario 1 – Social Distancing rules are continued/re-introduced as a result of public health advice for the 2021/22 academic year:

Changes to learning spaces

• Our priority as a university is to deliver our teaching on campus, in sociallydistanced face-to-face tutorials, group seminars and workshops. Where this is notpossible, we will continue to deliver online/remotely.

• We plan to update the layouts of our studios and workshops so you can have safeaccess to these and other specialist facilities, taking social distancing measures intoaccount and providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) where needed.

• Access to making facilities will be organised to allow for optimum use within thecurrent safety requirements and layouts.

• Where it is appropriate and practicable, we may re-order units or specific unitcontent/activity, including technical inductions and tutorials to enable a safeworking environment.

Timetabling • We will adapt the scheduling of classes to limit the number of students on campus

at any one time• We will adopt the ‘bubble’ principle: meaning you will be taught in smaller groups

to enable social distancing, and have as little physical contact with other groups aspossible

• We will plan the scheduling of your classes so you can transition between themsafely and make the lowest possible number of trips to and from campus eachweek

• Your teaching bubble/group will be timetabled to rotate between each of therequired studios, workshops and resources you require.

• We will schedule your sessions so you can transition between them safely andmake the lowest possible number of trips to and from campus each week.

• Studio project briefings and lectures will be delivered remotely, however there maybe occasions when these will be delivered on campus on your allocated days.

• CAD, Contextual and Practice Portfolio sessions will be delivered remotely.

Teaching during COVID-19

in order to enable social distancing to be implemented and to prioritise students’ access to facilities and workshops. This will mean moving some of the larger scale activities such as lectures and seminars online as outlined above. In this way we will continue to support both staff and students who are vulnerable, high risk or may need to shield but contact time will remain the same as published in the unit descriptors and you will be expected to engage in fulltime learning and course activities scheduled.

Online learning

• Where practical, we’ll also put our lectures and seminars online so that you can still access them if you are self-isolating, shielding, or unable to come to the UK.

• For 2021/22, where it is appropriate and when face to face meetings aren’t possible we will move specific unit content online.

• CAD, Contextual and Practice Portfolio sessions will be delivered remotely.• We will continue to review online learning according to the social distancing

requirements, safe working systems, government guidelines and current shift in industry requirements.

Wellbeing & support

• You’ll be able to have one-to-one Personal Development Tutorials with an academic tutor, where they can talk through your progress and check on your wellbeing. They can also offer online sessions when face-to-face meetings aren’t possible.

• You’ll continue through Gateway to have access to a full range of specialist advisors who will offer online sessions when face-to-face meetings aren’t possible.

• All our plans take vulnerable learners and students with additional learning requirements into account – we’re making sure we can deliver learning safely to all our students, whether that means accessing teaching on campus, or online.

Industry links • Projects will continue to have an industry relevance, this may take the form of

competitions or live projects.• We will also continue to host our lecture series evenings, in term 1 these will be

held remotely as we did last year in term 3 and this will be reviewed for term 2.

Assessments • Work will be required to be submitted digitally and there will be a mixture of

physical, virtual and online assessment.• If you’ve been personally affected by Coronavirus, your assessments will take that

into account and make sure you aren’t disadvantaged by it.• You will continue to receive weekly written and verbal formative feedback.

Contact time

• We will not be changing our approach to contact time and scheduled delivery, this will still take place as published in our Programme Specifications and unit descriptors. However, some of this contact time may take place in a different way, for example remotely or online,

During the 2019/20 and 2020/21 academic years we introduced a number of emergency measures that included:

• Moving learning and assessment online• Looking at prior activity with a view to ensuring that learning outcomes are covered

somewhere within the year of study and adjusting assessment tasks accordingly• Providing alternative assessment where the original assessment is not deliverable• Providing extensions for units where necessary for the learning and for individual

students if their circumstances require it• Where the University is not the awarding body, following the validators’ exacting

requirements for predicted and other grades so that students receive a finaloutcome commensurate with effort and aptitude

These measures would be re-introduced if necessary, but only for the period covered by the lockdown, with a return to scenario 1 as soon as is safe and practical to do so.

Adapting to your feedback and keeping you informed • We’ll continue to work with you to find out how you’re feeling about the new

measures.• You’ll have the opportunity to work with teaching staff to adapt and improve the

way we deliver your course in line with public health guidelines.

Equipment & resources • We’ve developed new library systems and cleaning processes for loans and

equipment hire to make sure you can borrow what you need safely.• We’ll offer IT equipment loans to our students who need them most.• As soon as Government advice permits, we will provide as much physical access to

our libraries as we can to ensure that you have access to our physical and digital collections, but are able to observe social distancing for your own safety and that of others.

Scenario 2 – a further lockdown is implemented by Government