Online Bachelor's Degree
BA (Hons) Retail Design
This Online Retail Design Degree course offers students a more in-depth and professional approach to interior design projects, focussed on retail spaces.
Online
Study Anywhere, Anytime. Choose Your own Start Date.
Affordable
Low Fees & UK Student Loans Available.
Supported
Excellent Tutors Always Ready to Provide Support.
Duration
No Terms or Semesters, 3 Years Flexible Online Study.
Course Summary
The BA (Hons) in Retail Design contains some of the core modules from the BA (Hons) Interior Design but also includes specialist modules about designing specifically for the retail sector. It takes you from the history of interior design to space planning, creative lighting and sustainable design & technology. Specialist modules include branding, visual communication and merchandising, the customer experience and in the final year a choice between exhibition design or retail space in a wider context.
The degree also provides you with a solid background in business advice and professional practice to prepare you for your future career as a specialist in the retail design industry. You will complete a final retail design project for your professional portfolio to help you enter your exciting career as a retail design specialist.
What our Students Say
Course Breakdown
You will study 11 modules for the Online BA (Hons) Retail Design Degree.
Module 01 - Research & Contextualisation
Research & Contextualisation
Interior design is a vibrant and exciting industry, and within this module you will be introduced to world leaders in both residential and commercial design. Research underpins all good design projects therefore this module will introduce you to the skills and methods needed to undertake this research. You will gain a comprehensive knowledge of interior design and its history through the ages; knowledge which you will be able to apply to future modules.
Module 02 - Space Planning
Space Planning
However beautiful a space, if it is not functional it will not work for the user. Form and function is essential for good design. In this module you will learn how to design a space to meet the requirements of its function. You will learn how to plan and design an efficient, comfortable and safe space within a number of different briefs for both residential and commercial interiors. You will also start to learn the importance of development work at the initial stages of a project and how a concept will aid the design process.
Module 03 - The Customer Experience
The Customer Experience
Ever wonder what makes for a good customer experience? In the first of the specialist modules you will be given the opportunity to explore this topic, considering the relationship between the retailer and the customer, and how this is affected by the lifestyle of the customer. You will undertake the development of a concept, using a selected target market and a space chosen by yourself. This is an exciting opportunity to tailor your portfolio towards the sector you wish to work within, creating presentation boards, drawings and rendered visual images.
Module 04 - Branding
Branding
Branding is one of the key considerations within retail design, and good branding can make or break a retailer, big or small. In this module you will focus on the development of branding and discover how this can be applied to a retail environment. You will also start to develop an understanding for the importance of branding when positioning a business within the market place.
Module 05 - Visual Communication & Merchandising
Visual Communication & Merchandising
Another key consideration within retail design is visual communication and merchandising, as this will affect the way that the products are viewed by the customer. There are many elements that effect this, including layout, circulation and positioning of products. Within this module you will gain an understanding of how established brands use a range of methods and techniques within the retail environment, and explore these yourself through development sketches and drawings.
Module 06 - Sustainable Design and Technology
Sustainable Design and Technology
Regardless of the sector you decide to specialise in, you will need to understand how and when to use sustainable products, materials and technologies, as this is a growing concern among clients. As a designer you need to be able to offer your clients the same range of options whilst being conscious of current environmental issues. Within this module you will address these issues and discover a range of architects and designers who specialise in eco-friendly interiors, all whilst exploring the world of restaurant design.
Module 07 - Professional Practice
Professional Practice
In this module you will be given the tools you need to create your own design practice and a marketing plan specifically tailored to you and your chosen career path. You will also explore the importance of branding to a business, and be given the opportunity to develop your own brand, which can form part of your portfolio and used to develop your future career prospects. You will also have the skills required to work within an existing practice at a professional level.
Module 08 - Major Design Project
Major Design Project
Through the development and presentation of a major design project, this module will allow you to apply everything that you have learnt so far. Working from concept, to development, through to completion, you will produce a great range of work to include within your portfolio. There is a choice of different client briefs, allowing you to tailor the direction of your project to your specialist field of degree study. For this module, you will also complete work experience, which will give you a unique insight into the design industry.
Module 09a (option) - Exhibition Design
Exhibition Design
This module has two study options, which allows you to choose a project for your portfolio within the area of design that appeals to you most. Option 1 is exhibition design and within this you will explore the two main exhibition approaches; commercial trade shows and exhibitions within a gallery space. There are many elements to explore, including the visitor experience and branding.
Module 09b (option) - Retail Space in a Wider Context
Retail Space in a Wider Context
Within this module you will start to consider the design of a retail space within a wider range of environments. These may include; hotels, museums and galleries, exhibition venues, visitor’s centres, and airports. The same considerations need to be made, however on a much smaller scale. You will produce a design for a pop-up retail space, creating a range of sketches, technical drawings and visuals for your portfolio.
Module 10 - Research Study
Research Study
It is at this stage of the course that you will truly get to choose the direction of the work you produce, starting with the research of a topic close to your heart. If there is an area of design that you are passionate about, then this is an exciting opportunity to incorporate this into your degree. Within this module you will write a dissertation, with the support and guidance of your tutor, who by now will have a great understanding of you and how you study. This dissertation will then feed into your final module; the independent study.
Module 11 - Independent Study
Independent Study
Building on the topic you have developed in the Research Study module, with the support of your tutor, you will be given double the amount of time of the previous modules, to focus on your chosen design based project. This will be the culmination of three years of hard work and will bring together all the skills you have learnt along the way. This module will provide you with visuals, presentation boards, development sketches and technical drawings to add to your portfolio.
Student Gallery
A sample of work completed by our talented BA (Hons) Retail Design Degree students.
Our Learning Eco-System
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Responsive Learning, Designed For You.
Offering a fully responsive learning experience our course content can be opened, studied and enjoyed on any device, at any time, from anywhere in the world.
Virtual Learning Studio
How do you learn online, you ask? It’s simple: introducing our Virtual Learning Studio, or VLS for short. The VLS is our exclusive, online resource which replaces the normal lectures given in Colleges and Universities.
Students can rewind and re-watch until they are sure they have understood. No frantic note taking and no missing an important lecture! Study when and where it suits you!
Personal Tutors
Every NDA student has a Personal Tutor to guide them through their course. They provide timely and informative feedback on all your assignments helping you to achieve the best results!
You have unlimited access to your tutor and can contact them by email, telephone, Zoom, Skype or in-person as often as you wish.
Student Support Team
We also have a dedicated Student Support and Administration Team to help deal with any other queries such as payments, student loans advice and anything else you may need a helping hand with.
Our Student Helpline is available Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17:00 (UK Time).
Group Tutorials
All delivered online via zoom, join NDA tutors and like-minded peers to discuss interior design topics, course content and gain valuable live feedback.
As a Degree level student, you are offered a group tutorial for each module and also receive advice on how to progress once you complete your course.
Online Forums
Once you enrol, you will also have the opportunity to join our dedicated NDA Facebook discussion group. Student cohorts will often set up their own Whatsapp chat groups to communicate also.
Students enjoy discussing their design projects, encouraging others and offering advice, as well as sharing work and offering top tips for approaching modules.
What Our Students Say
Studying with the NDA definitely enabled me to work in this particular area. I think it is a unique challenge for a retail designer to create an environment that really expresses a brand, the core of a brand.
I was looking at universities from all over the world and actually, the National Design Academy seemed to be the most professional one…
Barbara Seidelmann
BA(Hons) Retail Design
Studying with NDA was a great experience. I really enjoyed the course. It was extremely beneficial, helpful and informative. I gained so much confidence after each module.
It was my first time to learn online and at first I was worried how to communicate with my tutors and friends, but I was really surprised how I was really supported by my tutors.
Azza Refaat
BA(Hons) Interior Design
Now I have finished the course with a First Class Honours, I am beginning to put my portfolio together, so I can apply for a full-time job as an interior designer.
I can’t wait to start working in a professional setting, so I can learn from different designers, develop my skills and give my own creative input in the design process.
Annabelle Westwater
BA(Hons) Interior Design
Internationally Recognised
A Trusted & Accredited Qualification
Awarded by De Montfort University, Leicester (DMU).
This Online (BA Hons) Retail Design Degree is awarded by our academic partners De Montfort University, Leicester (DMU). Find out more about our partnership with DMU.
Entry Requirements
To be accepted on our Online BA (Hons) Retail Design Degree you will need the following qualifications.
Qualifications
Applicants should hold at least one of the following:
- Professional Diploma with the National Design Academy in any subject
- Level 3 Diploma, City & Guilds, NVQ, BTEC, HNC in a Design subject or equivalent.
- A Level in Art and/or Design equivalent.
- Art & Design Foundation Year (university or college).
- Portfolio of previous Interior Design experience.
- International Baccalaureate Art & Design equivalent.
- High School Diploma containing Art & Design with portfolio.
- International equivalent qualification.
English Language
The course is taught in English, so international students will require a good standard of written English to study. IELTS average 6.5 or TOEFL score of 550 is usually required, however all students are considered on an individual basis as we are aware that many international students have already been taught in English at school, college or university.
Don't Meet The Requirements?
No problem! If you do not have the required qualifications to study a degree you can study an NDA Diploma either online or in-studio, for a guaranteed place on one of our online Bachelor’s Degrees afterwards. Please view our Diploma Courses for more information.
Course Pricing
Fees and payment options may differ depending on whether you are a UK resident or an internationally based student. Please select the correct tab below.
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£5,750 in Total*
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$7,650 (USD)
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$1,500 on enrolment + 9 x $750 monthly payments. *Monthly payments include admin fee.
You Can Afford to Study a Degree
UK Undergraduate Student loans are the most popular way for NDA students resident in the UK to study as they cover the entire cost of their degree.
Loans are not based on income or means tested and most students in England & Wales will qualify (Scotland & NI have different arrangements).
What's Next?
An NDA Retail Design Degree will provide you with the knowledge and design skills to take your career to the next level. You can start your own business, or even progress to Master’s level with NDA, or why not both! Find out more below…
Progression
Successful completion of your NDA BA (Hons) Retail Design Degree provides a guaranteed place on our Master’s Degree, MA Interior Design with Practice Management, with a generous Progression Scholarship. All NDA Degrees are validated by De Montfort University (DMU).
You can study flexibly, around your new career in Interior Design. With a Master’s Degree you will be qualified for a senior or management role within the design industry.
Careers
The NDA BA (Hons) Retail Design Degree is designed to help you start your own Interior Design business. Many of our Degree students start their own business and then progress to study for their NDA Master’s Degree flexibly alongside their client projects. With an NDA Degree you can;
- Establish your own commercial or residential interior design practice.
- Work within a property development company specialising in heritage conversions.
- Work within a design or architectural practice.
- Work for a heritage agency such as the National Trust or international equivalent.
Supporting Your Next Steps
We love to watch our students succeed, those that complete one of our Short, Diploma or Degree courses gain access to our Progression Scholarship giving you money back for continuing to study with us.
Alternatively, our courses are built with business in mind, giving you the skills to begin work as a freelance designer in the exciting world of Interior Design. Learn more about our Students.
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