Designer Development Course

Career-focused training in the creative and construction industries. London Fields Design School supports you into gaining your dream career, offering personal mentoring, bespoke briefs, a professional portfolio and work experience.

Taught by industry professionals, you will master the most in-demand design software, build a professional portfolio and gain work experience and employment through our professional partners in London.

On completing the programme, you will have earned 20 separate design software certifications as well as an overall Designer Development Certificate. We use our local links in the creative hub of East London and give you the support and network to embark on a new creative career or start your own business.

The course opens up opportunities in a wide range of creative and construction industries, including interior, architectural, landscape, graphic and product design.

Certificate of completion

Digital certificate - Included

• DDC Student Prospectus - download

Course Units and Structure

• Pick your start date
• 6-month to 2-year programme
• Fit your studies around work
• Learn design software to a professional industry standard
• Taught by designers, architects, and software pros
• Bespoke, self-directed design briefs tailored to your career pathways
• 20 Design software certifications
• Designer Development Certificate

Design your own flexible course by using the course calendar on our website. Create your own calendar and plan your units in advance or month by month. Design software units can be studied in any order. Self-directed study days below are our recommended allocation.

Each daytime unit runs between 9:45am - 4:00pm and evening units take place from 6:45pm - 9:30pm (online or at our studio).

Design Briefs, Synthesising Research & Sketchbook Development
Covered in mentoring and group tutorials

Revit Introduction to Intermediate
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Revit Intermediate to Advanced
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Vectorworks Introduction to Intermediate
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Vectorworks Intermediate to Advanced
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

SketchUp Introduction to Intermediate
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Sketchup Intermediate to Advanced
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

AutoCAD 2D Introduction to Intermediate
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

AutoCAD 2D Intermediate to Advanced
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

3D Printing Introduction
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

3D Printing Intermediate
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Photoshop Introduction
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Photoshop Intermediate
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

InDesign Introduction
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

InDesign Intermediate
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Illustrator Introduction
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Illustrator Intermediate
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

After Effects Introduction
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

After Effects Intermediate
2 days or 4 evening sessions classroom/live online study
4 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Rhino Introduction to Intermediate
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Cinema 4D Introduction to Intermediate
3 days or 5 evening sessions classroom/live online study
6 days self-directed project and portfolio study

Business Development and Freelancing
Covered in mentoring and group tutorials

Personal Branding and Website Design
Covered in mentoring and group tutorials

Studio Visits and Designer Interviews
Covered in mentoring and group tutorials

Self-Directed Practice & Portfolio Development
Covered in mentoring and group tutorials

Internships and Professional Practice
Covered in mentoring and group tutorials

1-2-1 Mentorship Tutorials
Monthly meetings
Telephone and email support

Group Tutorials
Supportive cohort meetings throughout the course

Please note that course delivery is available either in-class/live online blended learning (£9,000) or live online only (£7,500).

What our students say about London Fields Design School:

"Fantastic design school, the Design Development Course is excellent and the whole team at the school supports your learning and future career goals." - Andrew

"I've left completely satisfied and happy after my course last year! These guys not only teach (a lot and really well) but also care a lot about people and about the fact of helping them/us/YOU. You will get not only gain specific knowledge, but also a lot of love and support. A year ago I was ready to get back to my design roots and leave hospitality for good. Thanks to myself, this course, and knowing how to squeeze the COVID crisis/opportunity, today I am working in design and engineering in a leading company with a beautiful Human Team. After almost 6 years of fun, or not caring much about my working situation, taking this course was exactly what I needed." - Ricardo

"Through LFDS, I managed to get a role working at an interior design company. They needed another CAD operator and I hadn't done that level of technical drawing. After taking the AutoCAD unit at LFDS, I had the resources to email the instructor. The first unit I attended was AutoCAD and Ben was able to speed up the process and get me that internship!" - Chris

CAREER CHANGERS

Learn the most in-demand skills to start a new creative career.

Are you looking for a more fulfilling career? On our course, you will be taught by practicing designers and architects. You will learn the most in-demand skills and gain valuable insights into the industry.

You will complete the course with 20 software certifications, a portfolio and career advice, as well as becoming part of our creative community.

CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS

Get the support to go freelance or set up your own business.

As well as helping people to find jobs in the creative industries we can provide you with the skills and support to set up your own creative businesses.

With the design software skills you have learnt you will be able to produce your own branding and marketing materials. We will help you to build a professional website and help you create a network of industry connections.

FUTURE DESIGN TECHNICIANS

You don't need a degree to work in design.

If you want a career in the creative industries, but don't want the debt, you can learn the vocational skills you will need to go into a technical role. For less money and time than a university degree, we can give you a head start in your career.

There are many technical roles available in the creative industries. Our training will give you the essential software skills to make new ideas into reality. Then work your way up on the job.

FOUNDATION

Make the most of your university education.

The theory and intellectual rigour of a university education will be a great experience and will add valuable depth to your ideas.

However, you will need to balance this with practical skills. Our nine month program can provide a great foundation and give you the skills to make the most of your university experience. We have trained lecturers and course leaders from across the country. We may have even been responsible for teaching your teachers.

GRADUATES

Complete your C.V. with industry-relevant skills.

Graduation is the first step in your creative career. Design software skills are essential for the work you will be doing.

Our courses are taught by industry professionals and will equip you with the most up-to-date skills and best practices. We will also give you career advice, help with creating your portfolio and connections from our community of creative professionals.

• • We ask that you are computer literate (able to send an email and navigate a mouse and keyboard)
• No previous design or design software experience is necessary; however, this is beneficial.

Architectural Assistant
Interior Design
Exhibition Design
Furniture Design
CAD Technician
Revit Technician
Landscape Design
Engineering Techincal Assistant
jewelry design
Digital Design
Graphic Design
Digital Illustration
Fashion AccessoryDesign
Model Making
3D Printing
Construction Technical Assistant
Visual Merchandising
Lighting Design