Design is, however, about more than appearance. Good design is equally concerned with function: a well-designed chair not only looks good, but is also comfortable; a well-designed teapot is elegant, but also pours well; a well-designed car is something to covet, but is also economical on fuel, doesn’t pollute, doesn’t rust and doesn’t need servicing every week.

Things that work well have been designed to work well.

When you consider design as a career option, you may initially think of high fashion, restaurant interiors or magazine graphics. Fine. But think again!

Design affects every aspect of our lives. Products from cars to cups and from beds to binoculars, all have to be designed, as do shops, homes, schools, hospitals, factories and offices.

Packaging design includes the shape of the container as well as the box it comes in; fashion includes trainers and t-shirts, shoes, hats, knitwear and workwear as well as the creations featured in Vogue; and graphics includes newspapers, books, advertisements, film titles and a hundred-and-one other things.

Design is challenging and stimulating. It is an integral part of any successful business and is one of the UK’s biggest export earners. It is hard work, but enormously varied and rewarding. After all, what could be more exciting than to see an idea progress from concept to completion?

Sir Terence Conran once told a group of young people:

“Young designers hold the key to the future. Design gives you the opportunity to shape every aspect of our lives in the 21st century.”

If you want to help shape the future, consider one of the following options:

• CERAMICS: design for one-off and mass production.
• FASHION: men’s, women’s and children’s wear, knitwear, shoes, hats, workwear.
• FURNITURE: design for one-off and mass production.
• GRAPHICS: includes design for print (such as newspapers, magazines, brochures), typography, corporate identity, advertising, packaging, multi-media, TV and film graphics, and illustration.
• INTERIORS: includes design for retail, domestic, commercial and industrial environments.
• JEWELLERY: design for fashion jewellery and for precious stones and metals.
• PRODUCT: includes everything from cars and aeroplanes to vacuum cleaners and wheelbarrows.
• TEXTILES: design for printed, woven and knitted textiles for fashion, domestic and industrial use.

So how can you help to shape the future?
There are a number of routes to becoming a designer:

Non-advanced:

These courses will develop an awareness of disciplines, knowledge and skills and will usually help you decide on your particular area of speciality. S/GCSEs in relevant subjects can lead to a foundation course. You can take a foundation course or Intermediate S/GNVQ in art and design with no formal qualifications. For students over 16 there are pre-foundation courses.

College Foundation Studies in Art and Design: one year for students over 17. Qualifications needed:

• SCOTVEC/BTEC Diploma Foundation Studies in Art and Design, (5 GCSEs) + 2 A Levels: one year for students normally over 18.
• SCOTVEC/BTEC National Diploma General Art and Design/GNVQ General Art and Design: two years for students over 16. Qualifications needed: four GCSEs (grades A to C) or GNVQs. A good level of English language is required.
• SCOTVEC/BTEC National Diploma/National Certificate (ND/NC): ‘Specialist’ design subjects for students aged 16 and over. Qualifications needed: as above.

Advanced:

• SCOTVEC/BTEC Higher National Diploma/Higher National Certificate (HND/HNC): for students over 18. This usually lasts two years and can be a continuation of a specialised subject at ND level. An HND student can apply for entry direct into the second or third year of a degree course. Refer to individual college for entry requirements.
• DEGREE COURSES: usually three years. A portfolio of work and evidence of competence in English language and mathematics are essential. Qualifications needed: a minimum of four or five GCSEs Grade C or above, plus a Foundation/SCOTVEC/BTEC ND Course, or two A Levels (S/GNVQ Advanced Level equivalent) or equivalent.

In Scotland all degree courses in Art and Design are 4 years in length. The first year (general course) is diagnostic and acts in a similar way to the English/Welsh foundation course. Students require either 2 A Levels or 3 highers, one of which must be English, and two standard grades or their equivalent. Application is via the Scottish Colleges central admission system run by the four Scottish Colleges of Art and Design.

Finally, if you need any further advice or information on a career in design, contact:

THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF DESIGNERS
Europe’s largest professional body for designers.
Telephone: 0171-831 9777
or write to:
THE CHARTERED SOCIETY OF DESIGNERS
32-38, Saffron Hill,
London, EC1N 8FH.

They will be pleased to help you with careers information, placements and advice.