Postgrad UK 2008/2009 - (Page 42) 42 Arts and Humanities www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK Mastering design With so many different branches of design available for students to study, the department of design is one of the most diverse faculties. On one hand design can take in the high art of fashion, or at the other end of the spectrum it could extend to web or automobile design requiring extreme technical skills. The area of product design alone demonstrates the range of possibilities on offer. ‘It’s a huge area, we basically look at the possibility of designing everything from a toothbrush to an automobile,’ explains Franziska Conran, who is currently studying for her MA in Sustainable Product Design at Bournemouth University. ‘I think it’s also seen as quite a cool area to study but anyone thinking about studying it needs to know it’s not just drawing pretty pictures or animating cool things on the computer.’ DESIGN ICONS With the UK’s strong history of technique. When I came here to study I noticed you have a lot of free time to design your own work but the teachers and staff give you support and access to the best facilities you can get. I think studying in the UK is good for a designer because you can try your own ideas out.’ It’s not just a one-way street though – Rui says that the presence of international students on a design course can be very beneficial for all. ‘From my point of view the way that they teach you in the UK helps the international students, but I think the presence of the international students really helps all of the people on the course. What you find is that, especially in design where you need as many different points of view as possible when you are creating a product, when people are there on the course from many different countries they bring different levels of experience and points of view to the project – that can only result in better products and a better learning experience.’ product design – it is after all a country where even the phone boxes are considered design icons – it’s not surprising that most UK universities offer design courses. According to China’s Rui Yang who recently completed his MA in design at the Winchester School of Art (part of the University of Southampton) the education style of the UK is one reason why so many students make a beeline for Britain. ‘I think the education system between China and the UK is quite different, when I studied in China I learned how to do art and basic http://www.prospects.ac.uk/PostgradUK
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