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

Contemporary design is as diverse as it is innovative. From the reproduction of “design classics” to the individual and experimental work that frequently questions the boundaries with fine art and with craft, modern design is both visually exciting and intellectually challenging. Moreover, it is now rivalling contemporary art in the market place.

The programme starts on 1 September 2008 and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Scholarships/financial aid and bursaries are available to applicants.

Sotheby’s Institute of Art’s MA in Contemporary Design combines academic study with an exploration of the professional design world, equipping participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue a career in this dynamic field.

Semesters One and Two offer a comprehensive and integrated study of furniture, ceramics, glass, metalwork, and patterns, together with fashion and jewellery, from 1900 to the present day. These developments are examined in relation to architecture and interiors and provide the context for understanding the rich plurality of current design.

Art Deco, Modernism and Pop are among the major movements studied, while the work of the Bauhaus, the Droog collective, and of designers from Le Corbusier and Charles Eames to Philippe Starck and Marc Newson are assessed. The relationship between design and fine art is a strong theme throughout the programme.

In Semester Two students choose an option, such as Graphic Design or running a gallery, and study alongside participants on the MA in Contemporary Art and MA in Photography.

The course promotes an object-based methodology and aims to develop analytical, interpretative and presentational skills that are relevant to a range of careers. Lectures are reinforced by visits to museums, houses, relevant temporary exhibitions and fairs, and to dealers and retailers. These, together with a study tour to Paris, provide opportunities to study objects at first hand and also to assess the market for 20th and contemporary design. Throughout the programme, contact with practitioners in the field introduce students to the issues involved in working in the design world, whether as a dealer, curator, writer, or interior designer.

The course comprises three semesters. The first two are intensively taught over three days per week. There is no formal tuition in the third semester when students complete their dissertations with regular tutorial supervision.

Find out more about this programme. Come to our Open Evening on Thursday 3 July, 2008.