BDes Hons Design (Product, Ceramics, Silversmithing & Jewellery) at Belfast School of Art, Ulster University We are innovators, problem solvers and risk takers.
Welcome to the Belfast School of Art's FaceBook page. You will find out all the latest news and events going in and around Ulster University's Belfast campus. The Belfast School of Art incorporates multiple undergraduate Degree courses across many disciplines including, Product & Furniture Design, Graphic Design & Illustration, Animation, Fine and Applied Arts, Ceramics, SilverSmith and Jewellery,
12/03/2026
Great to have Head of Product at Cumulus Neuroscience in with us again to talk with our year 2 Product Design students and final year Technology with Design students about their iterative and user-centred design process, an approach which led to two patents and numerous awards including a Red Dot Design Award for Cumulus. Thanks to Ian and Cumulus for the fantastic insights!
11/03/2026
Our final year and year 2 Product Design and Technology with Design students were introduced to placement and graduate opportunities at Cooneen Group who have many exciting roles available
12/01/2026
Year 1 students recently submitted work for each specialism on the BDes (Hons) Design (Product, Ceramics, Silversmithing and Jewellery) programme having engaged in 3-week projects across semester 1. Here are some of the Product Design submissions. Students were tasked with exploring the history of the creepie (milking) stool and to create their own version of this object using reclaimed material.
12/01/2026
This year’s Allstate Distinguished Graduate of the Year trophy was designed and manufactured by our 2025 Silversmithing and Jewellery graduate and current Graduate in Residence, Carl Gingles.
Carl’s work demonstrates a high level of technical skill, material intelligence, and professional maturity, translating conceptual thinking into a resolved ceremonial object.
Congratulations to Carl on this achievement, and to Sam McBride on a well deserved award!
21/10/2025
We’re proud to announce that our BDes (Hons) Design Graduates-in-Residence, and .talbot have been commissioned to co-design the customisation and decoration of the Northern Ireland Baton for the King’s Baton Relay, Glasgow 2026. This is a major honour and an outstanding commission for our graduates.
The King’s Baton Relay began on 10 March 2025 at Buckingham Palace, when His Majesty King Charles III placed his message to the Commonwealth inside the first Baton. Over 500 days, the Relay will travel through all 74 nations and territories, arriving at the Opening Ceremony in Glasgow on 23 July 2026.
For the first time, every Commonwealth nation and territory will receive its own Baton, each one customised to represent its unique culture and identity.
The design representing Northern Ireland will incorporate innovative surface design, precious metal and digital technologies to celebrate our rich heritage and vibrant culture.
This is an exceptional opportunity to showcase the imagination, skill, and ambition of our graduates on an international stage.
Huge congratulations to Kirsty, Carl, and Matt – a moment of real pride for and
Keep an eye on our channels for updates as the project develops!
16/10/2025
🎉 Congratulations Clodagh and Charlie! 🎉
A huge congratulations to Clodagh McKenna and Charlie O’Hagan, both 2025 graduates of BDes (Hons) Design at the Belfast School of Art, who picked up awards at tonight’s IDI Graduate Awards 2025!
Clodagh was recognised for her outstanding work in Furniture Design, and Charlie for his exceptional achievement in Craft Design.
We’re incredibly proud to see their creativity, skill and dedication celebrated on a national stage. A brilliant achievement, well done both! 👏
07/10/2025
Dublin study trip today, visiting National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks and Irish Design Shop (huge thanks to Laura for a tour of their lovely shop and studio!)
06/10/2025
Super work from year 1 BDes Design students who visited the BSoA Life Room to study anthropometrics and ergonomics in relation to Product Design, using a range of media to draw the life model interacting with everyday objects
🍲 Design Soup
Starting Week 3 | Every Tuesday lunchtime, 12.30–1.15pm in the Design Hub (BB-04-001)
No agenda. No presentations. Just an open space to pause, chat, and connect.
Design Soup is about building a sense of community at Belfast School of Art. It’s a relaxed weekly meet-up for Design students and staff across all year groups and pathways - Product, Ceramics, and Silversmithing & Jewellery - with everyone from other programmes also welcome to join.
It’s a space to share what you’re working on, swap ideas, and get to know people beyond your own studio. These informal conversations help spark new ideas, collaborations, and bring the energy of a connected art school.
Bring your lunch, grab a seat, and join the conversation!
02/09/2025
📣 Students in Northern Ireland! Would you like to spend next year studying in the US on an opportunity of a lifetime? 🇺🇸
Applications are now open for the programme 2026 – 27!
The programme offers full scholarships, including a bursary, to students studying at HE and FE colleges to spend a year studying in the US.
The scholarship funding package (worth approximately £50,000) includes:
✨ Tuition fees paid by the participating US colleges and universities
✨Term-time accommodation on campus
✨A full meal plan
✨ A generous textbook allowance
✨One return flight to the US
✨A £1000 bursary paid directly to all students
👉 Find out more and apply: https://nireland.britishcouncil.org/opportunities/study-usa
Applications close:
HE students 9 Nov 2025
FE students 4 Jan 2026
Study USA is funded through
Queen's University Belfast Ulster University Stranmillis University College North West Regional College St Mary's University College, Belfast Northern Regional College Belfast Met SERC Southern Regional College Southwestern College Queen's Careers, Employability and Skills