探花直播

How can I prepare for my Product and Furniture Design course?

So, you鈥檙e about to study听Product and Furniture Design with us 鈥 what can you do to prepare? We鈥檝e got a whole host of ways you can get stuck in before starting your course. From checking out some recommended reads,听to exploring 探花直播鈥檚 independent scene for inspiration.

What to read:

Product and Furniture Design Course Director, Jason Nicholson, has given us his must-reads:

book by Rob Thompson

This is a great book about production processes; it鈥檚 a useful insight into how things are produced across various scales of manufacture. You make a lot of objects on the course, so it鈥檚 useful to start investigating how things are made.

book by Kevin Henry

It鈥檚 always useful to practice your drawing skills, and this book covers many visualisation techniques. Maintaining an active drawing practice is equally beneficial; keep a sketchbook and sketch anything that interests you, from natural forms to urban landscapes and the products and furniture that surround you.

podcast by Grant Gibson

Take a listen to this series to discover how designers and makers use materials within their own design practice. In parallel, explore sustainability to comprehend the significance of eco-conscious design practices. Familiarise yourself with environmentally friendly materials and design strategies that minimise ecological footprints.


Where to visit:

探花直播 is an ever-evolving creative hotspot, with several pockets of the city offering inspiration to independent artists. These areas include Digbeth, Edgbaston, Moseley, Kings Heath and Solihull - to name a few. Why not check out these unique product and furniture stores around the City?听

Minima

听is an independent company that houses a showroom full of mid-century modern furnishings, modern lighting fixtures, and upscale home decor and accessories.听Go and check them out in the Jewellery Quarter, and even grab a coffee at their听in-house cafe while you're there!

Kin听

Located in the charming heart of Edgbaston,听听is an independent furniture and design store that stocks an assortment of items from renowned Scandinavian design labels. Its bright, aesthetically pleasing store is a great spot for gaining some creative inspiration for your projects.

You should aim to keep up with contemporary design trends and explore museums and galleries to draw inspiration from both historical and modern design pieces. This is also a great opportunity to explore some of 探花直播鈥檚 most iconic destinations: IKON Gallery and 探花直播 Museum and Art Gallery, to name a few!


Who to follow:

This is the official course page Instagram for all things product and furniture design... follow them to never miss an update and stay clued in with any extra opportunities.

Amelia is a current Product and Furniture Design student; follow her to keep up with her unique projects and wonderful creations.

What to watch:

available on Channel 4 On Demand

Grand Designs is a British听TV series that showcases ambitious and innovative building and renovation projects. Hosted by Kevin McCloud, the show follows homeowners and architects as they embark on extraordinary journeys to design and construct unique and often boundary-pushing, groundbreaking homes.听

available on Netflix

Amazing Interiors offers a fascinating look at homes with extraordinary and creatively designed interiors, showcasing unconventional and unique living spaces transformed by homeowners. The series explores the imaginative world of interior design and personal expression through remarkable and unexpected home transformations.

available on Channel 4 On Demand

The Great Pottery Throw Down is a fun, competitive pottery series where participants, both amateurs and experienced potters, showcase their skills and creativity in crafting intricate ceramic pieces. The show offers a captivating blend of competition and artistic expression, providing a unique and entertaining window into the world of pottery.


Above all, maintain an open mind. Design is a dynamic field, and your adaptability and eagerness to learn are pivotal to your success.

Clearing - give us a call card - clearing hotline

Clearing 2025

If you're considering your options for university this year, Clearing is a way for students to find the right course and university. Whether you aren't sure you'll meet your predicted grades, you've changed your mind about your firm choice, or you haven't applied yet, Clearing could be for you!

Find out more about Clearing

Related Content

A fresher's guide to 探花直播

Welcome to 探花直播! As you embark on your university journey at 探花直播, this guide will help you discover some of the best and most popular places to visit, eat, and have fun in the city. Whether you're coming from another part of the UK or from abroad, 探花直播 has something for everyone.

Think you're ready for uni? 馃槒 - Quiz

Reckon you know what it's like to be a student? Put your knowledge to the test with this weeks quiz on all things student life.

A beginner鈥檚 guide to sign language for starting university

Looking to learn a new skill over the Summer? Why not try your hand - literally! - at sign language.听

How to make friends at uni

First-year students Libby and Ethan chat about the different ways they made friends at uni and answer your questions.