What will You Learn in the Furniture & Product Design Course at First City University College?

Study at the Best University College in Malaysia for BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design Course at First City University College

• Find Out the Course Details for the BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design Degree in Malaysia at Award-Winning First City University College
• First City UC is the first and only private university offering the Furniture and Product Design degree programme in Malaysia.
• Students will gain in-depth knowledge of materials and their properties, be adept in industry-related software and cultivate design and conceptual thinking skills. They will participate in furniture and product exhibitions and work on collaborative projects with the industry.

The world is evolving rapidly — and so are the private and professional spaces we live, learn, eat, sleep, work and relax in. Students who are creative, hands-on experimental designers and curious about furniture and product design, you’ve found the perfect course at First City University College!

With a strong emphasis on designing through making, students will explore function, form and the relationships we forge with the everyday objects with which we live. Alongside technical skills like sketching, model-making and prototyping, students will delve into new and existing technologies and materials to develop successful products. The BA (Hons) Furniture & Product Design programme is designed to provide students with a professional and creative approach to all aspects of furniture and product design. Students will develop a range of critical, creative, technical and professional skills relevant to employment in product design, furniture and related areas. They will be able to exhibit creativity and show a personal aesthetic sensitivity through his/ her design.

Students will be using the same equipment as the professionals. From 3D printers to Vacuum Forming Machine and Material Labs, plus a dedicated workshop for Woodwork. They will participate in furniture and product exhibitions and work on collaborative projects with the industry. First City UC has it all to prepare you to meet the needs of the industry as soon as you graduate!

First City UC is acknowledged to be one of the best universities for design having been the first and only university to offer the undergraduate degree in Furniture & Product Design in Malaysia.

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Top Reasons to Study Furniture and Product Design First City University College

If you’re considering a career in professional design, this course provides the skills, knowledge and practical experience you will need. Design work covers domestic and commercial furniture, housewares and ceramics, industrial and technology products. Using the workshops at First City UC, you will have a platform for experimentation and discovery. In addition, you will study key themes, such as sustainability, manufacturing and the roles that designers play in industry.

The Product & Furniture Design course at First City UC focuses on practical experimentation informed by the use of materials, technologies and production processes. You will learn about the qualities of materials, their potential sustainability and appropriate application.

Moreover, you will study the roles that designers play, and the impact design can have on social, political, environmental and commercial contexts. You will be able to apply self-management techniques, independent study and explore within the context of ambiguity, uncertainty and unfamiliarity. Students will demonstrate the ability for critical engagement and formulate independent judgements through exploration of design.

Why Study Furniture and Product Design at First City University College?

First City UC is the first and only private university offering the Furniture and Product Design degree programme in Malaysia. With many years of experience teaching design courses, the university has established key links with the industry and a strong reputation. Graduates are highly sought after by the industry as they are well known for being equipped with the latest industry knowledge and skills.

In addition, the fees are affordable for the facilities and campus environment that you will study in compared to other small design colleges. Students even have access to sports facilities and on-campus accommodation which many design colleges don’t provide.

There are many reasons why you should choose to study Furniture and Product Design at First City UC. I will list 10 of them for you:

1. Experience – First City University College (FCUC) is a private higher education institution established in 1990 by the First Nationwide Group.
2. Recognised and Accredited – Quality education at First City University College is further underpinned by the university college’s compliance with the requirements of the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the constant monitoring carried out by the College’s very own Quality Assurance Department and FCUC’s foreign university partners.
3. Award-Winning Design University – Students and lecturers have won numerous awards at top design competitions. For example, they won the Gold Award in the International Furniture Design Innovation (IFDI) 2020, Silver Award in the 15th Annual International Design Awards 2020, Los Angeles, USA and emerge Champion in the 24th Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF) Furniture Design Competition 2018.
4. Experienced Lecturers – First City UC design lecturers have many years of teaching experience and come from the industry as well. They are well qualified with Masters and PhD qualifications.
5. Woodwork Workshop – Using their workshops, students will have a platform for experimentation and discovery. You will learn key themes, such as sustainability, manufacturing and the roles that designers play in industry.
6. Design Facilities – There is ample studio space, up-to-date computer hardware and software, print studios, workshops, photo labs, and a range of other equipment to facilitate students in their projects. First City University College has everything an art & design student needs to equip him/her with the skill sets required of a professional designer.
7. Full University Campus – First City University College has a purpose-designed, fully equipped campus with sports and recreational facilities, and located on a 13-acre site within Bandar Utama.
8. Sports Facilities – Sports and recreational amenities will include indoor basketball court, futsal court and also, dance and drama studio. The new hostel will be able to accommodate over 900 students.
9. On-Campus Hostel – First City University College provides a safe off-campus accommodation which is just across the road.
10. Financial Aid – Deserving students can apply for scholarships. PTPTN Loan is available as well for the degree programmes.

What will you Study in the Furniture and Product Design Course at First City University College?

The BA (Hons) Furniture & Product Design programme at First City University College  aims to produce designers who are able to meet the changing and evolving needs of the design profession in the 21st century.

This programme provides knowledge and practical skills for students seeking a career as professional furniture and product designers. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of materials and their properties, be adept in industry-related software and cultivate design and conceptual thinking skills. They will participate in furniture and product exhibitions and work on collaborative projects with the industry.

Teaching and learning is primarily studio-based with a number of supporting lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Graduates of BA (Hons) Furniture & Product Design at First City University College will be able to:

• Produce innovative and practical professional designers equipped with critical and analytical skills.
• Provide students with necessary technical skills and develop their social awareness in the furniture & product design industry.
• Provide students with necessary soft skills for personal development as well as a range of transferable skills to support their career development.
• Produce graduates with entrepreneurial and professional skills.
• Prepare students for postgraduate study and lifelong learning.

How you’re taught

Course content is delivered through lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and studio design sessions. You will also be involved in project work with the support of lecturers.

This course is supported by external professional practitioners, ensuring that your learning is continuously enhanced through exposure to real-world perspective.

Duration & Intakes

The 3-year BA (Hons) Furniture & Product Design programme at First City University College will have intakes February, June and September of each year. There are 3 semesters for each year and the course is conducted full time.

What are the Learning Outcomes?

This programme provides knowledge and practical skills for students seeking a career as professional furniture and product designers. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of materials and their properties, be adept in industry-related software and cultivate design and conceptual thinking skills. They will participate in furniture and product exhibitions and work on collaborative projects with the industry.

Students will undergo internships with various furniture & product design companies and manufacturers.

The Programme objectives are to:

• Produce innovative and practical professional designers equipped with critical and analytical skills.
• Provide students with necessary technical skills and develop their social awareness in the furniture & product design industry.
• Provide students with necessary soft skills for personal development as well as a range of transferable skills to support their career development.
• Produce graduates with entrepreneurial and professional skills.
• Prepare students for postgraduate study and lifelong learning.

What are the Subjects in the Degree Programme?

Students will take about 10 subjects each year. This does not include the compulsory Mata Pelajaran Umum (MPU) subjects. You will also undergo an internship giving you an opportunity to network with experienced industry professionals and as well as sharpen your skills before entering the workforce.

YEAR 1

• Design Studio 1
• Design Communication 1
• Material and Technology 1
• Critical Studies 1
• Communication Writing Skills
• Design Studio 2
• Design Communication 2
• Material and Technology 2
• Critical Studies 2
• Communication Presentation Skills

YEAR 2

• Design Studio 3
• Computer Aided Design 1
• Critical Studies 3
• Professional Practice
• Elective Subjects (select one)
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Sustainable Design
• Design Studio 4
• Computer Aided Design 2
• Critical Studies 4
• Design and Portfolio
• Industrial Placement
• Elective Subjects (select one)
  • Principles of Economic
  • Consumer Behavior

YEAR 3

• Design Studio 5
• Project Management
• Research Methodology and Proposal
• Design Studio 6
• Design and Exhibition
• Dissertation
• Elective Subjects (select one)
• Creative Entrepreneurship
• Design Competition and Special Project
• Industrial Placement

What do Furniture Designers do?

Furniture designers specialise in designing furniture for manufacturers. They design couches, chairs, tables, shelves, and decorative accents for furniture pieces. They have knowledge of design trends, competitive prices and the ability to meet specific needs of manufacturers and other clients.

Furniture designers are a type of artist, as they must be able to look over the requests of a manufacturing company and draw out a structure and design that they believe will fit their needs. They can also determine the types of equipment, upholstery, patterns and colors that need to be used in order to create a piece of furniture. Designers can also take old pieces of furniture and design a way to restore it and update the look of it to fit with current trends.

Career Opportunities for Furniture and Product Design Graduates

• Furniture Designer-Makers
• Product Designers
• Industrial Designers
• Production Developers
• Marketers
• Business Managers
• Computer-Aided Designers in Interior Design
• Architectural
• Design Practices and Manufacturing Organisations

Education Pathway to Join the Furniture and Product Design Course at First City University College

Students after SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels with 5 credits may go for the 1-year Foundation in Art & Design and then continue into the 3.5-year BA (Hons) Furniture and Product Design degree at First City University College. It is a good Pre-U programme for students who are sure they want to pursue Design but want to explore would still like to explore which area of design to specialise in for degree.

The one-year Foundation in Art & Design programme at First City University College provides a general art & design education to enable students to gain experience in practical studio work, 2D and 3D designs, research and writing. It develops student’s skills on visual analysis, fundamental drawing, colour studies, research and critical writing skills.

Alternatively, with 3 credits in SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels, students may enter into the Diploma in Interior Design for 2.5 years and then enter into Year 2 of the Furniture & Product Design Degree. The diploma is excellent for students who are sure of pursuing the degree in Furniture and Product Design. The course is highly practical and focus specifically on Interior Design subjects.

First City University College’s Diploma in Interior Design emphasizes on design process that incorporates a variety of disciplines ranging from psychology, sociology, history, management to business practices. The programme provides better understanding of a building’s structure and its mechanics while creating exposure to the use of various computer applications and software. It also develops problem –solving and transferable skills in the design professions.

Other Pre-University Programmes such as the A-Levels, AUSMAT, CIMP, MUFY, etc are accepted into the Furniture and Product Design degree depending on the Entry Requirements. Students may be required to take bridging design subjects before entering into the Degree programme.

Is the PTPTN Loan Available?

Students with the necessary 3 credits in SPM or IGCSE/O-Levels can apply for the PTPTN Loan for their Diploma. There is also no PTPTN loan for Foundation studies. PTPTN Loan is also available for the degree course.

First City University College offers value for money and the Diploma is probably the most affordable and the students have access to excellent facilities.

What are the Furniture and Product Design Facilities at First City UC?

First City University College has everything an art & design student needs to equip him/her with the skill sets required of a professional designer in Malaysia. The university provides ample studio space, up-to-date computer hardware and software, 3D printer, Mac Lab, woodwork workshop, print studios, workshops, photo labs, recording studio, and a range of other equipment to help students in their design projects.

Design Studios & Workshops at First City UC