Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication (Interior Design and Surface Pattern) - Level 3 (UAL)

This course is designed for students who want to develop their skills and knowledge in interior design and surface patterns. We encourage an exploratory approach, allowing students to experiment with a range of traditional and digital techniques to develop innovative practices. We foster a culture of care, responsibility, and collaboration.

During this course, you will develop your creative identity by interpreting and responding to set briefs and engaging with topics that are important to you. In the first year, you will build your knowledge of materials, equipment, and processes.

The second year is more independent; you will work on your own project briefs and develop an independent line of inquiry into your project theme. You will build autonomy by developing your project from initial ideas through experimentation, refining developments, and bringing them to fruition as a final design. This process combines one-to-one tutorial guidance with workshop-based skills development and portfolio building.

You will leave the course with a digital portfolio and website showcasing your project work in interior design and surface.

This course will equip you with the essential skills needed for a career in the interior design industry, focusing on scale modelling, prototyping, and digital interior environments.

With an emphasis on sustainability in social, economic, and environmental contexts, students will learn how materials influence product, furniture, and interior design.

Through hands-on, project-based learning, you will experiment with both traditional and digital techniques, including 3D simulation, model-making, and presentation methods to communicate design ideas effectively. This course provides a strong foundation for those looking to develop their creative and technical abilities in preparation for a career in interior design.

You will need:

• Four GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above.
• A portfolio of creative work demonstrating an interest in any creative area, including digital and traditional illustration, graphic design, print, drawing and painting, and photography.
• A successful interview with course tutors to discuss aspirations and review work.

Course units:

Year 1

• Unit 1: The Creative Process - Internally assessed and verified with a portfolio of evidence
• Unit 2: Developing Creative - Internally assessed and verified with a portfolio of evidence
• Unit 3: Responding to a Set Brief - Internally assessed brief assignment, externally moderated by UAL awarding body

Year 2

• Unit 4: Researching a Specialist Industry Practice - Internally assessed and verified with a portfolio of evidence
• Unit 5: Specialist Technical Skills Development - Internally assessed and verified with a portfolio of evidence
• Unit 6: Specialist Creative Outcome - Final project outcome - Internally assessed assignment, externally moderated by UAL awarding body

AGED 16 - 18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August 2025 before the start date of the course, and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your course then your study with us will be free.

Please see here for the documents you need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

AGED 16 - 18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August 2025 before the start date of the course, and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your course then your study with us will be free.

Please see here for the documents you need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Successful completion of this course prepares students for higher education or employment in the creative industries. Some of our learners go on to study locally at Central Saint Martins, while others choose to study further afield in places such as Brighton or Edinburgh. 

Successful completion of this course prepares students for higher education or employment in the creative industries. Possible progression routes include:

Degree courses:

• Illustration
• Graphic Design
• Visual Communication
• Animation
• Fine Art
• and other related fields

Entry into creative industry roles:

• Freelance Illustration
• Publishing
• Advertising 
• Digital Design and Media Production.

You can progress to further specialist study through foundation courses or apprenticeships.

UCAS Points:

• Year 1 Pass (P) 36 points, Merit (M) 60 points, Distinction (D) 84 points
• Year 2 Pass (P) 72 points, Merit (M) 120 points, Distinction (D) 168 points