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This list clarifies core equipment and materials required. Where appropriate, we've indicated when you may need them in the year.

Drawing & modelling materials

The department has a materials and model making store which provides many core materials for the course such as free card, tracing paper and other items. Depending on supply, you may need to buy some extra drawing and modelling materials.

• A2 90gsm tracing paper
  This is provided, and you do not need to have any when you arrive. You may want to purchase some during the course as a backup supply.
• White, grey, brown modelling card
  This is provided, and you do not need to have any when you arrive. However, we advise that you arrive with a small supply of recycled card from home, for instance cereal boxes, other food boxes, home delivery boxes and so on. Many 'quick & dirty' models can be made with any card, and we encourage you to use recycled materials as a part of your training in environmental sustainability.   This would be the first step in ensuring that recycling, upcycling and circular economies become the foundation of your design thinking and making.
• Detail-Typo paper, 25 to 53gsm typically available
  This is not provided. We recommend you purchase and arrive with either an A3 pad, or a 'roll'. Rolls are typically in 12" width and 20 or 50yds long, and available in white and yellow.
• PVA glue 
  This is provided, and you do not need to have any when you arrive.  We recommend that you purchase some throughout your course, both as a backup supply on campus and for you to use off-campus.
• Other solvent-free glue, such as copolymer based UHU
  This is not provided because you will be provided with PVA glue. Some students prefer it to PVA, as the quicker drying time is useful for certain tasks. You're welcome to bring your own when you arrive.
• Other modelling materials
  We will provide you with other modelling materials if required for tasks that we ask you to do, such as balsa wood, expanded metal sheet, or clay. If you want to use modelling materials out of what's required within the curriculum, you will have to purchase those materials yourself. We recommend you create a personal store of model-making materials that includes recycled card.  See the portfolio case below for further suggestions.

Equipment

If you have art equipment at home, please bring this with you.  This can include paints, markers, charcoal, paintbrushes, pencils, sharpeners, and any sketchbooks that you are currently using.

Items that are essential in the first few weeks of the course are highlighted with (**):

• A5 and A4 sketchbook for studio (**) – a black, hardback bound sketchbook with good quality plain pages with your full name and contact details written inside the front cover. You will be required to fill out and complete this sketchbook throughout your course, scan all pages and submit it digitally as part of your studio submission. Please avoid lined and spiral bound sketchbooks.
• An array of pencils (**) of different types – Please bring pencils in a range of graphite weights, from hard (4H) to soft (9B) or similar. You will also need to bring a quality pencil sharpener.
• A2 drawing board with parallel motion/ rule (**) – Blundell Harling is the brand recommended by the school, but you're welcome to consider other options. Ideally you would choose one that you can position at 60°, rather than one limited to 15°. The 15° board is more affordable, but it can hurt your back after hours of work. We also recommend bringing a stand for your board to place on desks in studio. Please note you may have to bring these to and from studio, so we recommend looking for one with a handle.
• Draughting pens (**) – You need a set of draughting pens in a range of widths. We advise a minimum of three widths: fine (0.1 to 0.2mm); mid (0.25 to 0.4mm), and thick (0.5 to 0.8mm), with a minimum of 0.2mm between each width. Extending this range is something you might consider once you are on the course and better understand the requirements. You do not need them on day one, but you will need them in the first few weeks.
  Some established brands of draughting pens include Rotring Rapidograph or Isograph, or Staedtler Mars drawing pens, which are often available in student starter packs of two or three. Fine liner pens are the more affordable option, but it's highly likely that you would have to regularly replace them throughout the year.
• A scale ruler (**) – such as a Faber Metric Ruler Please ensure it includes the 1:100 scale. Other useful scales include 1:20, 1:50, 1:1250. Different brands will offer different scales.
• 10'' Adjustable Set Square (**) – Faber Castell is the recommended brand. , Some other brands to consider include Liquidraw, Artway, or Jakar.
• Propelling pencils – these are not essential, but they are useful for drawing in pencil on a drawing board. We recommend you consider purchasing a range of propelling pencils in 4H, 2H, HB and 2B, with pencils leads. Recommended brands include Staedtler and Faber-Castell.
• 2mm Clutch Pencil – this is not essential, but if you do purchase, we recommend you buy a range of leads and a clutch pencil rotary sharpener. Recommended brands include Staedtler, Rotring, and Faber Castell.
• 3m or 5m steel measuring tape – Stanley is the recommended brand, but other options are available. This is your best friend when you're asked in class to measure things in the environment around you, including steps, handrails, worktops, and wall thickness.
• Draughting/ masking tape – this is provided, However, it's highly likely that you will need to purchase your own additional rolls throughout the course.
• A3 or A4 graph paper (5mm grid) – This is provided in the first instance, and you don't need to bring any when you arrive. If you find it useful, you may want to purchase a pad during the course.
• Steel ruler for model-making (**) – we recommend a safety ruler that lifts your fingers away from the blade, rather than a flat steel ruler.
• A3 or A2 modelling cutting mat – previous students have recommended A3 over A2 as it is easier to carry.
• A cutting tool for model making (**) – we provide a basic modelling knife, with a range of blade types. You may wish to purchase additional cutting tools throughout the year. Many students purchase a fine modelling knife, such as a Swann-Morton scalpel set and a heavy-duty modelling knife, such as a Stanley Fatmax, or other similar heavy knives with a lock-blade function. 

During the course of the year, you may choose to purchase other specialist equipment such as  

• Circle templates (Staedtler, Rotring or Faber Castell)
• Faber Castell Compass Ultra-P with Extension Bar, or equivalent
• Small scissors/snips – 35-80mm blade length
• Small pliers – for wire bending and cutting, and for cutting wooden dowels
• Modelling sandpaper – for sanding balsa, dowel etc.
• Portable lightbox – for tracings (you can make your own lightbox following instructions on YouTube!)
• A2 or A1 portfolio case – This is not a requirement as your portfolio submission will be digital.  However, they can be very useful for storing materials in your room (see 'materials store' note above), and for carrying materials to and from the studio (particularly in the rain). You don't need an expensive portfolio case as long as it is.waterproof and robust enough for storage and carrying. A drawing tube with straps will also be useful and durable for many years.