MA in Contemporary Design, London
Decorative Art, Design and Craft since 1900

Design continues to excite great interest – and astonishing prices, despite the economic downturn. At Phillips de Pury’s sale at the end of April, Marc Newson’s Lockheed Lounge chair beat its own record to fetch nearly £1,000,000, while in March, Eileen Gray’s Serpent Chair sold in the Yves St Laurent sale in Paris for over 20,000,000 euros.

This MA in Contemporary Design combines academic study of 20th century and contemporary decorative arts with an exploration of the professional design world.

Furniture, ceramics, glass, patterns, metalwork, jewellery and dress from the Art Nouveau period to the pluralism of the present day are examined in relation to architecture and interiors, and the theoretical and contextual issues. The interrelationship between the fine and decorative arts is a strong theme throughout the programme.

The course promotes an object-based methodology and the development of visual, analytical and interpretative skills that are relevant to a range of careers. Visits to museums, houses, dealers, the auction houses, design and craft fairs, together with a study tour to Paris, provide opportunities to study objects at first hand and also to assess the market for 20th century and contemporary design.

Throughout the programme, assignments and contact with practitioners in the field introduce students to aspects of the professional design world.