Design: Applied Arts
Why choose Design: Applied Arts?
Since the establishment of our BA (Hons) Design programmes in 1994, our philosophy recognises innovation and creativity as the key aspects of the Design provision which help you to achieve your creative goals. Our courses encompass a broad range of creative skills that are vocationally relevant and specifically orientated towards you gaining employment in the creative and related industries.
The design industry is as dynamic as it gets, with new processes, techniques and technologies regularly surfacing. With our courses; Design: Communication, Design: Creative Media and Design: Materials, you'll get the chance to investigate these. Our aim is to produce graduates who can not only combine their conceptual and technical skills in Art, Design and Media, but who are also Design practitioners who share a common vision i.e. be able to view things holistically, strategically, objectively, socially, economically as well as creatively.
Designers who can respond creatively to applied art and design problems remain in high demand. We place a strong emphasis on the language of Design through exploration and expression of ideas and use of materials processes and practices. Our courses promote excellent communication skills and professional practice and encourage innovative and interdisciplinary use of media and materials. There is also a strong emphasis in developing interpersonal skills through collaborative projects and teamwork.
Special features
- Strong vocational programme with outstanding industry links. We have established relationships with industries locally and nationally that enables you to secure excellent work experience opportunities.
- The teaching team are research active practitioners who exhibit their own work both nationally and internationally.
- Study in purpose-built workshop space at our art and design school on Regent Street, a Grade Two listed building on the edge of Wrexham town centre.
- Apple certified software training. Become fluent in a wide range of industry standard software.
- Field and research trips to art galleries and important collections, exhibitions, festivals and design seminars.
- Opportunity to enter major national and international design competitions.
- Work on live projects and commissions for public and private clients.
- Work collaboratively with other designers, event organisers and art educators. The University has established relationships with industries of all sizes, both locally and nationally. As a result we welcome visiting practicing artists and designers for lectures and demonstrating and host co-operative projects and industrial sponsorships, such as that given by the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and our Creative Futures week.
- Study abroad opportunities through the Erasmus Scheme - We have links with France, Finland, the University of Mataro in Spain, the Polish Academy of Art in Katowice and Renmin University in China.
- Exhibit your work in high profile places. Past graduates have had work on show at a New Designers Exhibition in the Business Design Centre, London and at the World of Glass in Liverpool.
Career opportunities
Our graduates go into careers in education, galleries, restoration work, museums and retail. Alternatively you could become self-employed as an artist, technician, designer or craftsperson. Further study opportunities are also available at MA or PGCE level
