I chose the Design BA at Loughborough because it gave me the opportunity to explore a range of design disciplines and techniques throughout my studies. At the time of my application, I was unsure which area of design I wanted to pursue, so the course's broad and flexible approach was really appealing.
I particularly valued the course’s emphasis on meaningful design practices including sustainability, inclusivity, community engagement and other important real-world issues. I believe designers should be encouraged to work in ways that create a positive impact on society and the course strongly supports this approach.
The course helped me discover the type of designer I wanted to become. Originally, I had planned to study Architecture but instead I found the Design BA course at Loughborough University and its Environments Design pathway appealing because it offered the opportunity to explore both product and spatial design. During my first two years, I explored industrial, UX and environments design projects before deciding to specialise in Environments Design. The course allowed me to develop a broad range of design skills across multiple disciplines, alongside specialist knowledge within my chosen pathway. I have always wanted the freedom to not be confined to one area and the Design BA course gave me exactly that.
One of the most valuable skills I gained was confidence. Previously, I had been shy and nervous about presenting but throughout the course we learnt the importance of storytelling and communicating ideas effectively. Although challenging at first, presenting regularly helped me become far more confident in explaining and selling my work. These skills have since helped me in job interviews, as well as communicating in professional environments with client interactions.