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What will I learn on this module?
This level 4 year long module examines historical influences on interior design within a global context and is designed to develop your knowledge of interior design history, expanding your visual vocabulary as a designer and enabling you to take inspiration from the design of the past and the world at large. You will explore the history of interior design through a chronological and global survey of key styles, movements and practitioners from c.1800 to the present. You will also address the underlying historical and cultural factors that shape this design history. You will consider the wider social and cultural significance of design practice, reflecting on issues such as the meanings of design, the role of the designer and the position of design within society. Through blended learning activities such as seminars, workshops, archival visits, off-campus field trips, and library and online research, you will develop study skills vital for academic success and for your future career as interior design professionals. You will learn how to research specific buildings and sites in order to understand the context and setting of your own work. You will also learn how to present your research findings and design ideas in group presentations and written work to enhance and inform and enhance verbal presentation skills.
A diverse range of topics relevant to developing the visual vocabulary of the interior designer and responsive to developments in your studio modules will be covered, including;
• European stylistic movements including: Neo-Classicism, Gothic, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernism, Bauhaus, Postmodernism
• Global styles including: Scandinavian, Japanese, Chinese and Islamic design
• Histories of interiors including: Design history as a profession, exhibition design, retail design
How will I learn on this module?
‘Historical and Contemporary Influences on Interior Design’ is taught through illustrated weekly lectures supported by seminars. Your participation in seminars will help you to develop and communicate your ideas. Each session will involve presentations by the tutor to establish key terms of reference, followed by group discussion of the issues raised. Hands-on or online workshops will help you to develop study skills relevant to interior design practice, including archival research, fieldwork, visual analysis and presentation skills. Off-campus learning will be delivered through field trips to historic buildings and townscapes. Directed learning and reading will encourage independent research, visual analysis of designed interiors and critical reflection on design theory and practice. You will be supported in the skills of academic essay writing though the use of formative and summative learning and through the use of Turnitin.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Academic support will be provided through seminars, individual tutorials and use of the eLearning Portal;
• Lectures
• Seminars and tutorials will give you the opportunity to identify and discuss assessment criteria, both at the planning stage and as you engage with tasks. Tutorials will offer you support with any specific issues or concerns.
• Sample student work will be provided via the eLearning Portal to guide you in your preparation.
• Study skills sessions will ensure good practice for everyone following the module.
• Formative feedback will be ongoing in group learning sessions.
• Written feedback will be provided upon assignment submission.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:
• 1 - Demonstrate your awareness of historical, cultural and contemporary issues in interior design through seminar discussion, group presentation and essay writing.
• 2 - Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of interior design research methodologies through fieldwork, archival research and a formal group presentation.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:
• 1 - Select appropriate methods of research to enable you to produce a critical analysis of designed interiors through group presentation and written work.
• 1 - Identify, review and discuss design related issues or topics in a scholarly manner as evidenced through seminar participation, group work and independent research.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:
• 1 - Demonstrate engagement and commitment for your studies as evidenced through seminar participation, self-directed learning and engagement with assessment activities.
How will I be assessed?
Semester one
Group Presentation (30%)
Group Presentation Report (20%)
The first assignment is a tool to prompt you to think critically about the designed environment around you either in Newcastle or the wider world, and to demonstrate the inspiration historic buildings and interiors offer to you as a designer.
Each group will select one building from the designated list and will develop a presentation providing a critical analysis of the building and its interior. Each group member will complete an individual report form assessing and evidencing her or his contribution, as well as that of the other members of the group, to the presentation.
The group presentation will assist you in developing your research and writing skills. It also gives you the opportunity to work effectively in a group.
Semester Two
Essay (1500 words) 50%
You will develop an individual 1500-word essay that answers one of the designated questions relating to the main themes of the module.
The essay requires you to communicate your investigations into an aspect of interior design history. Before submitting the essay for summative assessment, you have the opportunity to submit it to Turnitin and make any revisions necessary to ensure that all source material has been referenced correctly.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
‘Historical and Contemporary Influences on Interior Design’ examines historical influences on interior design within a global context. You will explore the history of interior design through a chronological survey of key styles and movements from c.1800 to the present. You will also consider the underlying historical and cultural factors that shape the history of design. The module will develop your knowledge of interior design history, expanding your visual vocabulary as a designer and enabling you to take inspiration from the design of the past alongside the wider social and cultural significance of design practice. You will learn how to research specific buildings and sites in order to understand the context and setting of your own work and through seminars, workshops and off-campus field trips, you will develop study skills vital for academic success and for your future career as interior design professionals.
Course info
UCAS Code W250
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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