Who should do this course?
Studying the Foundation Degree (FdA) in Retail Design, you will gain the knowledge and understanding to work in the commercial market to develop innovative and creative designs to encourage customers to experience different shopping concepts. This is the only UK FdA in Retail Design.
For many students, family commitments, employment or lack of relevant qualifications makes attending university impossible. Whilst some universities offer qualifications as full time or part time on campus, you may prefer to fit your studies around family and work rather than the other way around. This also means that you can avoid the huge debt levels faced by todays graduates as you are able to continue to work. If you have to juggle family commitments, full-time or part-time work and want the flexibility offered by studying part-time by distance learning, then this is the course for you.
If you don't have the required entry qualifications or experience you may enrol on our access course 'Diploma in Professional Interior Design' which is a Level 3 qualification and gives you all the skills and neccessary entry qualifications required to begin your route to BA (Hons) with the NDA.
The National Design Academy is listed within the 'listed bodies' of Recognised UK Degrees, ensuring your qualification is Nationally and Internationally recognised, please CLICK HERE for further information
Entry requirements
The following qualifications enable you to take the course:
- NOCN Diploma in Interior Design or similar (all NDA Level 3 Diploma students are guaranteed a place on the course)
- NOCN Diploma in Professional Curtain Making and Soft Furnishings (you may be required to complete one or two relevant modules to ensure the correct skill level for this course)
- Successful completion of an Art Foundation Year
- A Level in Art, Art & Design or similar
- NVQ 3 in Art & Design
- City & Guilds Level 3 Interior Design or equivalent
- An equivalent qualification
- Suitable experience in the design profession
If unsure, please ring.
Where can I study & how long will it take?
You can enrol at any time! The FdA is studied part-time, by distance learning through our specially created Virtual Learning Studios (VLS) via the internet using your computer. Here you can access thousands of links to interior design information, mail your tutor direct, meet new friends and keep in touch through the Student Forum.
Everyone is different; most students take between 2-3 years to complete the FdA. However, some students finish the course earlier and some take the maximum study time of 5 years.
What will I achieve?
- Foundation Degree (FdA) in Retail Design awarded by Staffordshire University
This is a validated Foundation Degree, and on successful completion you will be able to use the initials FdA after your name, and will be invited to attend the graduation ceremony at Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire, on a date in July. All NDA Tutors attend the graduation and encourage all students to attend if they are able, as it's your day to be proud of your achievements!
Successful completion of this Foundation Degree will entitle you to a place on our BA (Hons) courses, also validated and awarded by Staffordshire University - where you will be able to graduate again... with Honours!
When can I start?
You can enrol at any time and set your own start date.
Assessment
You will not have to take an exam! Your tutor will assess your assignments as you submit them throughout the course and your portfolio is moderated by a Staffordshire University External Examiner. The course assignments are mainly practical and will not involve extensive essay or thesis writing.
Each Module is self-contained, and has its own assessment, it has distinctive educational objectives and clearly defined content.
After my course
The FdA is equivalent to years 1 & 2 of a BA Honours Degree (similar to a HND). However, the FdA is a separate degree qualification with a full cap and gown graduation ceremony. It is particularly relevant to Retail Interior Design as Foundation Degrees have a practical element and are designed to qualify you to work in the vocational area. Completing this course will really open up the world of interior design.
- Study route - All students successfully completing the (FdA) are guaranteed a place on the BA Honours Degree. (This will take approximately 12-18 months part-time).
- Career route - You can become a freelance designer, work in a range of industries as a qualified interior designer, within an interior design practice specialising in retail design, or work in-house for a retail company.
As the BA Honours Degree is studied part-time, you can combine both study and career routes.
Course details
For the Foundation Degree, you will study 8 Modules. Each Module is worth 30 credits, making up the 240 credits required to earn the Foundation Degree (FdA) in Retail Design.
Each Module should take approximately three months to complete, although there is some flexibility.
Level 4 - Equivalent to Year 1 of a full time university degree
Module 1 - Research Skills & Contextualisation
This Module includes an introduction to interior design, beginning with a guide to the history of interior design from the ancient world to the present day. This will also introduce you to the research skills you will need for the remainder of your degree course to help you to locate and obtain more information for each subject.
Module 2 - Space Planning
This Module investigates the way that interior space may be organised according to a particular set of requirements. These requirements vary according to the designated function of an interior. Whether a space is intended for residential or commercial use, appropriate space planning ensures that a space is used efficiently, comfortably and safely
Module 3 - The Customer Experience
The development of retail environments and their expansion into the provision of a distinct retail experience is one of the most dynamic and exciting products of our culture. You will look at the methods used by retailers and retail designers to develop customer relationships and conclude the Module with a study of best practice and innovation within retail design and the significant effect that retailing has had on architecture and interior design.
Module 4 - Branding
Customer loyalty is vital to a successful retail business and branding is the single most important element in ensuring that loyalty. Branding is also directly responsible for the positioning of a product or company within the marketplace, directly impacting on the perception of quality, ethics and value. You will investigate the principles and components of brand development and how these findings directly affect the customer relationship.
Level 5 - Equivalent to Year 2 of a full time university degree
Module 5 - Visual Communication & Merchandising
Visual communication and merchandising are integral parts of the marketing process within a retail environment and are essential to the successful presentation of products or businesses to a retailer's customer base. Within this Module you will look at how these two interrelated aspects of retail design work together to attract customers into a store and direct them to particular areas of products.
Module 6 - Sustainable Design & Technology
Responsible and sustainable design is an increasingly important sector of the interior design market. You will be introduced to the choice of sustainable materials and construction methods used within interior design and their impact upon the aesthetic outcomes of a particular scheme designated as sustainable as well as acquiring foundation level understanding of the relevant Building Regulations and other relevant regulatory.
Module 7 - Professional Practice
This Module focuses on starting your own business in interior design and explains the structure of a professional design practice. You will cover the business side of Professional Practice. This will include everything from day to day operations to how to accurately produce a financial forecast and prepare a thorough three-year business plan with cash flow projections and designated budgets.
Module 8 - Final Project
Within this Module you are encouraged to evidence your creativity through the research, development and completion of a specific major interior design project.
Interim Exit Awards
1 Certificate in Continuing Professional Development (CCPD)
2 University Certificate in Retail Design (UCRD)
3 Certificate in Higher Education (CHE)
4 University Diploma in Retail Design (UDRD)
Essential Equipment
- Laptop, PC or Mac to access the course online via the VLS
- Broadband internet connection
- Internet browser: Internet Explorer 7 (or above) or Firefox
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Digital camera
- Drawing pen and pencil
- Scale rule with 1:10, 1:20 and 1:50 scales (approx £8)
- Adjustable set-square (approx £16)
- Pastels, crayons, watercolours, etc.
- A3 paper
- A2 drawing board
- Recommended reading book list
All books, non-electronic equipment & other recommended equipment is available in our online Art Shop at special student prices.
