BA (Hons) Design Play
This award is one of six BA (Hons) Design Pathways which are all part of the same scheme that has been created to parallel the multidisciplinary nature of contemporary design practice and the employment opportunities that have developed around emerging design disciplines.
Please note that you need only apply to one of the scheme’s Pathways, even if you have an interest in more than one, since it is possible to transfer between Pathways throughout the course. Your final award title will be agreed prior to graduation such that you graduate with the title most appropriate to your personal design practice.
The value of play is wide ranging with implications for intellectual, social and motor skills development. It enables people to develop their understanding of behaviour, is at the root of individual personality and sense of self, drives creativity and problem solving skills. Play helps us to attain, maintain and retain emotional equilibrium. In the modern world, without conscious intervention, opportunities to play are becoming increasingly limited while at the same time the popular media continues to problematise children and sensationalise stories about young people’s “anti social behaviour”. Various initiatives, including those of the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), Children’s Play Council (CPC), Play England, Playlink are seeking to redress this balance. Play and Playwork are increasingly being recognised as necessary areas for both academic and practical development.
The Play Pathway enables students with a strong interest in this aspect of design to focus their efforts, to develop a depth of understanding and expertise and to create a portfolio that demonstrates their commitment to the discipline.
The Design course has notable track record of student projects concerned with issues of play and playfulness, for both children and adults, Recent design projects have covered furniture, product, spatial and digital design and include: games to encourage exploration of local areas, equipment to encourage imaginative play through dance, props to support bonding in new step families, furniture to encourage adults and children to read together, dens and mini environments to support play, playful bar furniture to encourage social interaction, products to give confidence to autists in public places, exhibits and spaces for EUREKA! Children’s museum, adventure playgrounds, skate boarding facilities, digital games and teaching aids.
A number of students have progressed to careers in a related area including toy design, outdoor play equipment, play landscapes and others have applied their knowledge and understanding of play in other areas of design practice. It is not uncommon for graduates to undertake PGCE and enter the education profession.
Studying alongside students on the scheme’s other Pathways, the course introduces you to design principles and approaches fostering an investigative and experimental approach to resolving design briefs through creativity, an awareness of human needs, and the generation of new insights and ideas. We encourage reflection, flexibility and the independence to take increasing responsibility for focus of work, leading to self-initiated projects by the end of the course.
You have the opportunity to tackle ‘live’ briefs working with industrial partners and design consultancies, to study abroad as part of our exchange programme, and enter design competitions. Practical skills covered include applied textiles, graphic communication, multimedia design, ergonomics, copywriting and video, workshop experimentation and virtual modelling. An integrated programme of critical and contextual studies underpins the practice-based elements of the course. Through this you will gain knowledge of historical and contemporary design issues, engage with critical debate and develop research skills that enable you to rationalise, justify, promote and better develop design ideas.
The course has an optional fourth Masters year with exit points after one or three semesters offering Postgraduate certificate in design and Masters in Design respectively. This year includes a work placement and the potential for exploring the commercial potential for design projects.
There are various opportunities to visit Leeds Metropolitan University on Open Days which are held throughout the year. This is an opportunity to meet representatives from the course and see facilities. Click here to find the next open day.
Applicants who are invited for interview will meet staff and students at interview and have a guided tour of course specific facilities and studio space.
For further information contact our course administrator on 0113 812 3193 or or S.M.Ratcliffe@leedsmet.ac.uk
The general public can also see examples of student work by visiting the degree exhibition in Leeds, part of the University’s Arts Festival, and at the annual New Designers exhibition in London.