Furniture (Foundation degree - FdA)

Overview

This course follows 'Design & Making' or 'Restoration' pathways.

Furniture has long been designed, made and restored at the Cass, launching many internationally renowned furniture professionals. This two-year intensive course is designed for career changers, who intend to work in the high quality commission-led sector of the furniture industry, or who aim to set up their own business as designers, makers or restorers of furniture.
There is strong emphasis on traditional and contemporary making skills across a range of techniques and materials supported by relevant drawing, technology, ethics and/or design learning.
The teaching team includes international furniture & product designers, professional cabinet makers, wood/metal and polymer restorers, CAD specialists, upholstery and textile experts. The Faculty is bustling with creativity and energy with students using both state-of-the-art digital & high-end traditional workshops to develop their practice. The Cass offers the only hands-on HE courses in furniture in the Greater London area and this course is taught in the heart of London’s creative district with future clients, employers and commissioning agencies on your doorstep.

Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Media and Design

www.londonmet.ac.uk/jcamd/

Course contents

Two levels, each of 200 credits. Learning by doing the course combines working with minds and hands. In responding to set and individually directed briefs, materials and time constraints, students mirror the successful contemporary workplace.

Level 1 topics include:

• Drawing
• Craft & Machining Skills in Wood and Metal
• Materials Technology
• Software
• Cultural & Historical Studies

Level 2 topics include:

• Furniture Projects
• Specialist Skills
• Business Studies /Care of Collections

Assessment

You are assessed via project work, essays, individual and group practice and final artefact/s/ reports.

Collaborative and international links

Thriving commercial furniture practices such as Plowden & Smith, Institutions such as The National Trust, English Heritage, and The World Monument Fund National and local museums and collections such as The Victoria and Albert Museum, The British Museum, The National Portrait Gallery, The Tate, The Royal Collection, the Wallace Collection and the Geffrye and Foundling Museums.

Professional accreditation/exemption

The Faculty has long established professional connections trade bodies (such as the Worshipful Companies of Furniture Makers & Upholders), through Furniture Works, Metropolitan Works and the Digital Manufacturing Centre. You will have the opportunity to be considered for recognised industry prizes and awards only available at the Cass.

Careers

Graduates successfully progress onto a future career designing, restoring or making furniture, working individually, in small /medium size company, in museum/ restoration practices or, in the modern industrial environment. Graduates can also progression to level 3 of the BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design, or BA (Hons) Restoration and Conservation.

Student profiles

'I decided to return to higher education after running my decorating business for six years. I was looking to further develop my carpentry and design skills… there is a real emphasis on training in the workshops with both machine and hand tools. I believe a sound knowledge and understanding of how things can be manufactured is essential to good design. The workshops at London Met are amazing and it’s great to have access to the facilities and expertise in other departments. The work I produced on the course attracted a lot of attention from manufacturers and the press. Furthermore, the close proximity of Metropolitan Works and the opportunities it offers, including contact with practising designers and manufacturers, is an invaluable asset.’
Tom Price, 2004

Thank you for letting one of your star students come to us..she is so full of enthusiasm.. and clearly has much to offer at this stage.. as well as all her insights on museums today, she brought a breath of fresh air to the place, and our curator, Jennifer is absolutely thrilled. As I imagined her arrival opened our eyes. If we could become a regular destination for your interns, we should both be winners.

Richard Paice
Director
Gordon Russell Museum

Applying and entry

Sept full-time: apply through UCAS

Sept part-time, Feb 2013 full/part-time: apply direct to the University - contact Admissions for an application form.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have 200 UCAS points including at least 2 A Levels in Art History, Applied Art, Material Technology or Design subjects or BTEC National Diploma or BTEC Foundation Diploma, or new diploma including A level specialist subjects in art history, material technology, applied art and design. We welcome mature applicants to the FDA programme, proud of the fact that many of our students are career changers, finding their calling later in life. Formal qualifications are not always necessary since life and work experience can be considered. We ask for a CV and supporting letter. Commitment and enthusiasm are key factors.

Further information

Please contact the Admissions Office:
Tel: +44(0)20 7133 4202
Fax: +44(0)20 7133 2677
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk
or for further academic questions, contact Cathy Stack or s.newton-short@londonmet.ac.uk