Product and Furniture Design BA (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Fashion, Fashion Promotion and Product Design
- Undergraduate
The Product and Furniture Design BA (Hons) degree course from ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ is ranked No.1 in London and Top 5 in the UK for Art and Design (Times Good University Guide 2024). As part of Kingston School of Art, you’ll benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged. Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
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Explore the impact of materials and design on different contexts
Kick-start your career in Product and Furniture Design
Throughout this course, you'll use our studio spaces and facilities to experiment and explore new ways to push the boundaries of projects and disciplines.
You'll be encouraged to explore and develop expertise in current design approaches, techniques, media and applications. These include branding, editorial, interactive design, packaging and 3D design, advertising, information design, digital moving image, and sustainable and experiential design.
Skills and techniques, such as typography, photography, moving image, printmaking, rapid proto-typing, analysis and research, human factors, presentation, interactive and graphic software, will all support your project work by helping you to realise solution-led ideas.
Studying on the P&FD course has been a 360 degree turning experience for me as a person as well as a designer. They say you get out what you put in. When I think of those three years, with the outstanding team of academic and technical staff, the following also applies: be ready to absorb what you're about to be given. This P&FD course is a meticulously-curated and carefully-guided adventure into the world of design and self discovery which I'd always recommend.
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One Step
Cameron Rowley - The Conran Shop Designer of the Future Award 2021
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Terracooler
Ellie Perry - Winner Global Design Graduate Show: Product Design and John Lewis Innovation Award 2021
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Strung
George Pearce - Gordon Russell design Award 2021
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The Hands Playground
Abigail Ghent
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Future Pantry
Alex Cole
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Future Pantry
Alex Cole
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Hat Light
Hyun Sik Yang
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The Ocean Bucket
Callum Wardle
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Autonomous
Aaron Shah-Stewart
Why choose this course
If you're considering a career in professional design, this course provides the skills, knowledge and practical experience you'll need.
Design work covers domestic and commercial furniture, housewares and ceramics, and industrial and technology products. Using our workshops, you'll have a platform for experimentation and discovery. You'll study key themes, such as sustainability, manufacturing and the roles designers play in industry.
This course collaborates and engages with industry at all levels, from live industry briefs to masterclasses and talks by industry professionals. Through our strong links with industry, you'll be able to test your ideas at leading companies. Examples include John Lewis, Foster & Partners, Jointed & Jointed, SCP, Coakley & Cox, Bisque, Very Good & Proper and New Balance.
This course also includes visits to design studios, research-based trips and optional study tours. Previous tours have been to Milan, Munich, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Valencia.
Your work will then be promoted through international design competitions, major graduate shows and external exhibitions. Finally, you'll graduate with a professional portfolio of work, giving you a springboard to employment.
Please follow us on Instagram to see some of the great work our students and graduates are producing.
in London for Art and Design (Times Good University Guide 2024)
in the UK for Art and Design (Times Good University Guide 2024)
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
The Product and Furniture Design course focuses on practical experimentation informed by the use of materials, technologies and production processes. You'll learn about the qualities of materials, their potential sustainability and appropriate application. You'll study the roles that designers play, and the impact design can have on social, political, environmental and commercial contexts.
Year 1
Year 1 introduces you to the principles of design through studio-based learning. A number of introductory projects help you explore materials, sustainability, research methods, design prototyping and presentation skills. Alongside these projects, you will receive masterclass introductions, for example in hand sketching, Photoshop, Illustrator and CAD. Lectures are delivered for the Product & Furniture Design history module in addition to materials / production knowledge.
Core modules
30.00 credits
Materials and Making constitutes an introduction to design histories and the theoretical, historical and cultural contexts underpinning product and furniture design. Sessions address particular ideas and practices that have shaped and constructed our contemporary understanding of product and furniture design as a meaningful social, cultural and economic activity.
Attention is given to the relationship between design and contexts of production, consumers and consumption, technologies, technique, the politics of labour, materiality, and ethics/responsibility. The intertwined histories of design and modernity and modernisation will be addressed, as well as what practices, histories and conceptualisations of design were excluded from or displaced by such developments, from women designers to indigenous and vernacular craft practices.
An integral part of this module is the close consideration of designed objects and the understanding of these in relation to larger contexts of meaning and interpretation.
30 credits
This module introduces you to the process of design and the importance of observation, idea generation, concept development and communication skills. The design process is established as a strategy for the successful development, evaluation and refinement of design ideas.
Importantly you will begin this 'process' with a user-centred design philosophy, putting the person at the centre of the process, understanding their needs and desires. You will gain an initial understanding of product and furniture design practices and the role of the design as it relates to empathies such as human factors, ergonomics and manufacturing including where appropriate the role of contemporary issues such as sustainable design practice. Fundamentally, this module takes advantage of user-focused design techniques to create inspired and relevant design solutions. Context is introduced, materials and form giving are explored, all supported by the introduction of creative tools like brainstorming and design workshops where appropriate.
30 credits
The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental principles and components of workshop and studio practice as they relate to the concept of 'designing through making' and the creative application of technology.
Through a range of projects, workshops, experiments and exercises the module explores the relationship between materials, techniques, processes, technologies and meaning.
The module develops the key areas of 2D and 3D analogue and digital communication including model-making, workshop techniques, visual language and communication, graphic layout and composition, materials and manufacturing technologies. The emphasis in this module is on developing a creative understanding of the core competencies that underpin product and furniture design practice.
30 credits
This module introduces the student to the fundamental 2D and 3D design skills and tools necessary to successfully develop, communicate and represent ideas and concepts to themselves, their peers and the outside world in a variety of media. The application of free-hand drawing and rendering techniques are explored in relation to points within the process of product and furniture design and development. Additionally simple 3D model making methods and presentation techniques are introduced to enhance the students' ability to communicate ideas effectively. The subjective nature of design is investigated through form development exercises in which the outcomes are reflected on in relation to visual language and perception.
Year 2
Year 2 introduces the processes of design, nurturing personal working methods, critical thinking and decision-making abilities. Projects are longer and students are expected to go from a sketch to a finished prototype within either industry or set projects. This is a discovery year in which students have the freedom to experiment and explore new design approaches, intelligent making and alternative presentation methods including film. Students learn the importance of context and user-based research.
Core modules
30 credits
The aim of this module is to develop understanding of the potential roles and responsibilities of the designer and enable students to contextualise their personal design vision and ambition. The emphasis in this module is on developing design sympathies and an awareness of a project's stakeholders and how to work creatively and effectively within established project parameters.
The module encourages understanding of how to develop work in a dynamic and appropriate manner, equipping students with the ability to express opinions and adopt different perspectives in relation to a range of issues and contexts (social, commercial, cultural, environmental and political).
Students are expected to further develop their knowledge and ability in developing design solutions and communicating these physically, digitally, verbally and visually. The module aims include the design of a contextual portfolio in preparation for Level 6.
30.00 credits
The module aims to introduce students to the concept of intelligent making as it relates to the creative and appropriate use and application of materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. Emphasis is placed upon direct experimentation and investigation of materials, technologies and processes and the development of conceptual yet practical design outcomes informed through an understanding and awareness of the affecting factors of batch production. The module also seeks to introduce the concept of prototyping as an industry standard method for presenting fully resolved objects and artefacts in context prior to industrial or batch manufacture.
30.00 credits
The module seeks to provide an environment for the discussion, debate and engagement with potential future design and manufacturing issues.
The module encourages the concept of 'future-gazing' and the adoption of a 'science-fact' philosophy to underpin a rigorous and robust conceptual design process that seeks to identify 'real' future design needs and design opportunities. The module also encourages 'live' client projects and industry collaborations as a means of contextualising and framing the learning outcomes.
You are asked to consider the impact of technology on specific areas of society, the environment or industry and engage in the development and dissemination of strategic design outcomes which either encourage further debate or propose sustainable design solutions in relation to defined future scenarios.
30 credits
This module builds on the historical and thematic content introduced at Level 4 and emphasises the theorisation of contemporary furniture and product design practice. A series of lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, screenings and visits informs and support your own emerging research interests and the development of independent visual and academic research skills that cross history/theory and design practice. Lectures and seminars will deepen critical and theoretical engagement with contemporary issues in furniture and product design. Seminar tasks and assessments are carefully designed to foreground projects that support the location of furniture and product design as a discipline. Research methodologies are introduced though case studies and practical activities that reflect the issues explored through the module's contemporary content.
Optional year
You have the option to take an additional year to study abroad.
Final year
In the final year, the practice of Design is supported. Using knowledge and working methods developed across the previous years you develop two major projects. These are personal projects evidencing your insights, research and development process. A final portfolio informed by your career aspirations and a written dissertation is required. Where appropriate we continue to introduce live industry projects and studio visits to promote professional practice knowledge.
Core modules
30.00 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to develop a means of promoting your employability through the presentation of an integrated body of work that represents both the concrete outcomes of your creative work and highlights your transferable skills, ie those personal and professional skills and qualities that may not be directly evident in a body of creative work.
The module draws together and develops a number of elements of your work produced during your three years at Kingston in order to present a complete picture of your range of abilities, personal design interests and ambitions. It is essential that the outcome of the module captures a sense of your personality and identity and therefore engenders a sense of self within the folio.
This module requires you to develop a coherent and fluent portfolio, which demonstrates strategic skills, knowledge and creativity relevant and appropriate to their graduate ambitions. You are encouraged to give careful consideration to the appropriateness of the methods and techniques used to creatively communicate all these aspects of their work to an external audience such as potential employers.
30.00 credits
This 'capstone' module allows you to demonstrate your personal design philosophy through both the execution and choice of their major project. Capstone is an application of skills and knowledge, and a reflection on your learning through the course evidenced via the major project. Prior to commencement, you are required to submit a project proposal to be scrutinised and sanctioned by tutors and peer group.
You will consolidate the professional skills you have gained and demonstrate your strategic application through their research, design and development process. The ability to engage in critical debate and present work professionally, both visually and orally, is fundamental.
This module expects you to deliver professional and creative design solutions with a clear narrative. Consultation with academic and industry experts combined with intellectual contextual and sociological drivers should inform their work. This module is a bridge to your future study, work life or career.
30.00 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to demonstrate your ability to engage in the design and serial manufacture of objects and artefacts. The production project is an opportunity for you to develop concepts and strategies for innovation and creativity not only in terms of design but also in relation to the methods and techniques of manufacture.
The module promotes a holistic understanding of the process of research, design and manufacture and encourages an iterative 3D material orientated process of design and development. Production project design solutions require an insight-led approach to conceptualisation and design specification to ensure the requisite design empathy and appropriateness.
You are encouraged to contextualise your individual practice, with the opportunity to embark on industrial collaborations where appropriate. The production project submission encourages completed works in production as well as editions and series.
30 credits
Building on the links between research and practice embedded at Level 5, the Independent Research Project in Critical and Historical Studies module focuses on in-depth research, critical enquiry and reflection on questions and critical issues emerging in students' own practice, and pertinent to the practice of their own discipline.
Over the module, you will initiate and develop an individual research topic; identify and evaluate appropriate archives, bodies of critical literature, visual/material sources and research methods; manage your study time; engage with and respond to tutorial dialogue and peer feedback, and apply critical and analytical skills to produce an output of 5-6,000 word (or equivalent) representing the culmination of your research project. You will be supported by a series of lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
Future Skills and careers opportunities
Graduates from this course work globally in product and furniture design, industrial design, exhibition design and interior design. Many graduates establish their own design companies whilst others progress to postgraduate study.
Examples of roles include:
- creative director
- design director
- design manager
- design consultant
- furniture consultant
- furniture buyer
- freelance designer
- industrial designer
- 3D designer
- packaging designer
- product and furniture designer
- product design manager
- service designer
Employers that look for graduates in this field include:
- Established & Sons
- Richard Brendon
- John Lewis
- Heal's Design
- Habitat Design Studio
- Ideactio
- Conran
- Robert Welch
- Lego
- Dyson
- Hay / Hay London
- Foster & Partners
- Marks & Spencer
- Pinch
- Stella McCartney
- Studio Makebelieve
- Sony
- Samsung
- Sebastian Bergne Studio
- Hasbro
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within the Product & Furniture Design BA (Hons) course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience. As the demands of modern employment continue to evolve, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate.
The programme aims to provide you with the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability. As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills. Then you’ll be able to demonstrate and articulate to employers how Future Skills give you the edge.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course, especially the ‘thinking through making' ethos. I found the broad range of projects we did helped me gain skills in a variety of areas including CAD, woodworking and model-making. Now working as a junior designer, I have been praised for my making abilities and hands-on understanding of materials. One of the course highlights was the ‘Toolkit' lecture series. My current employment was sparked from a Toolkit talk and subsequent summer internship. The Toolkit series had insightful lectures which were held regularly where a guest designer from industry came in to speak about their own experiences, career and practices.
At ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials.
It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 41% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 34% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 26% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
- Year 2: Coursework 100%
- Year 3: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
We accept groups of around 50 students per year. Teaching class sizes vary from the total year group for briefings to group teaching of 25, 15 or smaller. However, this can vary by module and academic year.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,535* |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £19,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £20,300 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £21,100 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Materials for your projects will cost between £100-£200 per year. You will also need to purchase tools at a cost of £50. A laptop is required too, with a minimum specification of CPU 2.6 GHz+, 8GB Memory RAM. Prices start at around £500. The laptop will also need to support 3D CAD software.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
The best thing about this course is that it has lots of very talented and kind tutors. They willingly have individual tutorials apart from regular tutorials, which helped me with my projects so much. Also, the teaching staff had links to current designers in London, so we were able to meet real designers and access internship opportunities. I think one of the other advantages of studying on this course was that I was able to learn practically as well as digitally – one of the most important things for the professional design field. The harder I worked, the more the course helped me. I got internship opportunities, where I met some amazing designers in the capital. Kingston School of Art is located really well: I could focus on studying in the calm environment on campus but also often visited galleries and design studios in London, as the campus is so close. It has amazing facilities to make any type of artwork or prototype.
The course is really an amazing family who you get to know over three years. Your fellow students, the tutors and all the workshop technicians staff are part of "your team" helping to improve your own work and knowledge. The course introduces many live clients and projects that help give professional experience. These connections that you make are very personal and are one of the many treasures that really sets P&FD at Kingston apart. Beyond that, the opportunities to connect with alumni to gain work experience or industry insight is really great. For me, this brought three different internships working with P&FD graduates. We are really like a giant family – not only during your time at Kingston, but also out in the real world. You can find one or two of us almost anywhere in the world!
Student successes
Futon Company - Small Space Living 2018
Sammi Cherryman - Aerate Cabinet
Awarded first prize of £1000
Slatted cabinet / room divider system.
London International Creative Competition Award
Student Design Award, Awarded to Mashiko Ito
School Chair, designed to improve student concertation through variable seating posture.
New Designers 100% Design Award 2018
Awarded to Jiawei Sun Magneto Lights. Her prize was her own stand at 100% design show 2018.
Pendant and floor lighting system using magnets as a joining system.
New Designers / Shortlisted for John Lewis Loves 2018
Alex Geal
Pressed steel cutlery.
New Designers / Shortlisted for John Lewis Loves 2018
Jiawei Sun
Wall shelving.
New Designers / Shortlisted for Made.com / Talent Lab
Hannah Llewellyn
Balance light.
New Designers / Shortlisted forJoseph & Joseph Loves
Oksana Bondar
Food skins. 'No supermarket packaging' revolution.
New Designers / Shortlisted for Belmond Loves
Poppy Pippin - Moss tiles
Exhibited at 100% Design 2018, Selected as one of UK's top Green Hero's 2019 (Kevin McCloud)
SCP Design Brief Award 2018
Awarded to Poppy Booth
Soap Box & Megaphone, featured on the cover of Blueprint Magazine.
Manufactured work
Dominic Postlethwaite
'Crush stools', an exploration of the crush bending process.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
