Industrial Design BA MDes

Compulsory

• Creative Engineering Practice
  In this module, you'll apply design issues within simple electrical/electronic systems. Apply electronic theory and associated mathematics within the context of applied electronics (analogue and digital). Design, construct and test electronic circuits containing both active and passive components and devices typically found in electronic product design. Apply appropriate software to simulate or solve mathematics associated with electronic circuits.
• DM1800 Design Journal & Workshop Practice
• DM1604 Introduction to CAD and Mechanics
  In this module, you'll understand CAD principles and apply CAD within the design process, the application of solid modelling techniques to build product models. Understand mechanics theory and mechanisms by use of the basic notions of algebra, trigonometry and differentiations for analytical problem-solving. Develop suitable tools/techniques in problem solving and communication of Product Design and Engineering solutions Become familiar with the range of mechanical devices and understand the mechanical properties of materials and their implications in real-life scenarios
• DM1801 Studio Practice and Portfolio
  This module aims to identify current and future needs and trends by developing research techniques. You'll reproduce methods for Visual Research, Creative and Imaginative Visualisation using proof of concept prototypes and 3D models

Compulsory

• DMBBB2 Business, Innovation and Sustainability
  In this module, you'll demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the relationship between design and innovation practice within evolving business models and creative industries. Demonstrate a conceptual and practical understanding of economic, environmental, and social factors when identifying and targeting new opportunities for innovative design projects. You'll apply underlying management concepts and principles critically when developing strategies and business plans for innovative design solutions. Demonstrate knowledge and a critical understanding of current environmental issues and outline the scientific basis for the main environmental effects. Demonstrate knowledge of product design for sustainability theories and principles. You'll apply underlying product design for sustainability strategies and tools, including Life Cycle Assessment, to highlight critical issues, prioritise design choices, reduce the environmental impact of products, and quality improvements associated with new designs.
• Design for Manufacturing and Advanced CAD

  The module will help students to develop awareness of the range of suitable manufacturing processes for key materials such as plastics and metals, by also considering the manufacturing constraints and potential defects. To better identify the design rules necessary to avoid product quality issues and to establish the proper links between virtual prototyping in CAD, physical prototyping, scaled production volumes and efficient assembly/joining methods. 

• Design Practice and Minor Projects

  This module enables students to develop their ability to use methodologies to conceive, explore, develop, evaluate, synthesise, realise, externalise and communicate the design of products and solutions through virtual modelling and simulation. By tackling design challenges through innovation, they systematically apply design process tools within a variety of contexts, with consideration to design, engineering and manufacturing issues.

• Technical Design Applications

  The module offers students the opportunity to consider creative technology principles, applications, models and methodologies to develop technological solutions. Students will study aspects of creative technology applications, and apply the knowledge gained to the design of electro-mechanical systems and their interfaces, within a product design context.

• UX Design and Graphics

  The module offers the opportunity to develop students’ critical awareness, understanding and skills to think and communicate visually across all stages of the design process including branding, design, usability and function.

Compulsory

• DM3003 Innovation Opportunity Identification
  In this module, you'll demonstrate the use of a range of techniques to research and investigate various contemporary and future challenges facing our world, resulting in an understanding of the key factors and inter-relationships in the chosen context to uncover design opportunities, define, validate and articulate project briefs. You'll produce high-quality research (primary and secondary) based on critical analysis of a contextual issue relevant to the identified design opportunity and correctly reference information sources. You'll understand and explain the relationships between brand, organisational structure, product management and broader contextual issues in the world. Demonstrate use of trend analysis and brand deconstruction tools. You'll be able to analyse an organisational structure and related brand to determine a brand positioning relevant to future challenges, trends, users’ needs and new product development.
• DM3004 Innovation Solution Delivery
  During this module, you'll analyse an organisational structure and related brand to determine a brand positioning relevant to future challenges, trends, users’ needs and new product development. Develop and manage innovative solutions and design concepts through the design innovation process and detail development involving concept generation, development awareness and understanding of emerging technologies, mechanical and electronic aspects with interface criteria, form generation, materials selection, production/manufacturing processes, visual balance, proportion, semiotics of colour, material, finish, integrated into design solutions. Demonstrate an ability to generate and develop novel ideas, to communicate ideas in their context of use, take a project from project brief definition to presentation, communication and realisation of final concepts, create development models and deliver a high quality finished visual model, interface, or prototype.
• DMCCC7 Integrated Human Factors
  In this module, you'll recognise product/service problems where Human Factors principles have been inappropriately incorporated or neglected and ascertain possible areas of user-led innovation through comprehensive market analysis and users’ evaluation methods. Apply the concepts of biomechanics, anthropometrics, human physiology, sensory systems, to design products from a human-centred design perspective and that are socio-culturally sensitive. Communicate in writing, verbally and through visual media how Human Factors principles when considered in the design process can improve the safety, acceptability and enjoyment of service/product/system.
• Advanced Design Innovation Project

  This module offers the opportunity to develop advanced design innovation methodologies and approaches that enable a broader understanding of the current and future contextual issues facing our world and identify creative solutions that respond to real human needs.   The module combines design process, brand re-positioning, detailed product visual language, product family image and the production of high-quality visual appearance models.

• Industrial Design Major Project (Research)

  This module enables students to research and define the requirements of a self-defined or industry-based project.    They will demonstrate the comprehensive skills acquired through their academic programme and apply these to define an industrial design opportunity. Students will demonstrate a deep level of knowledge of the design and innovation process and develop individual specialisations and creative differentiation.

Optional

• Advanced Design for Sustainability Project

  This module enables students to tackle sustainability challenges by shaping production-consumption systems (product-service system design, design for circular systems), individual behaviour (emotionally durable design, design for sustainable behaviour) and collective behaviour (design for social innovations). Students will analyse a complex sustainability challenge, identify critical issues and apply a combination of design for sustainability approaches to address the challenge.

• Advanced UX and Interaction Design Project

  The module aims to provide a working knowledge of interaction design, user experience and user interface principles. Students will be introduced to various interaction design approaches and design tools including participatory and co-design techniques. Students will participate in the critical evaluation of digital products and develop appropriate methodologies, processes and techniques for creative data and systems visualisation. 

Compulsory

• MDes Design Process
  • Demonstrate an ability to generate, develop and communicate novel ideas in a relevant context while taking a project from brief definition to presentation and communication of final concepts
  • Produce high-quality original and independent research (primary and secondary) based on critical analysis and synthesis of a global challenge.
  • Develop and manage innovative solutions and design concepts through design innovation, design-through-making, and detailed development processes; these to include inter alia ideas, concept and form generation, mechanical and electronic aspects, materials selection, and production manufacturing processes.
  • Critically apply design innovation, communication, and concept realisation skills to formulate design outcomes and demonstrate design proposals through high-quality visuals and proof-of-concept prototypes.

   

• MDes Dissertation
  • Demonstrate the use of a range of tools and techniques to research and investigate complex and unpredictable challenges facing today’s world; discover design opportunities and define, validate, and articulate project briefs.
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of knowledge of methodologies, techniques, and relevant theories for design research when formulating and investigating focused design projects.
  • Justify appropriate research methodologies and demonstrate an ability to apply both qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection and analysis.
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent design projects systematically and creatively, drawing sound conclusions and communicating them clearly and professionally.
  • Create appropriate and practical design outcomes, to a professional or equivalent level, through reliable and strategic research approaches.
• Design Research

  The purpose of this module is to provide students with a profound understanding of design research methodologies, methods and tools, fostering the enhancement of critical thinking and investigative skills essential for independent design projects. Acquiring the relevant knowledge and skills in research enables students to formulate and execute well-focused design projects, leading to the successful realisation of practical design outcomes.

• Inclusive Design

  This module develops an in-depth and systematic understanding of human-centred design principles for diverse user populations, focusing on inclusive design and social innovation. Students will develop creative skills when engaging with diverse stakeholders for co-creation and inclusion using a range of tools and techniques to make informed decisions on complex and unpredictable design issues, considering equality, justice, and social sustainability.

• MDes Major Project

  The major project offers the opportunity to investigate a global challenge both systematically and creatively.  Students will be encouraged to define a design opportunity and develop this through to a viable proposal. They will apply all design and development skills acquired throughout the programme to demonstrate a systematic understanding of innovation and new product development informed by professional industry standards.

• Professional Portfolio
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of knowledge and learning in three specialist subjects chosen from
    • • Design Strategy & Entrepreneurship
      • Design for Sustainable Systems
      • Inclusive Design
      • Independent Study
      • New Technologies
  • Independently conceive, develop, and realise a self-directed professional portfolio.
  • Effectively communicate design and research processes demonstrating sound reasoning with high visual quality.
  • Demonstrate self-direction and the ability to act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level
• Reflective Portfolio
  • Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical awareness of knowledge and learning in design research and one of the compulsory subjects chosen from 
    • • Design for Sustainable Systems
      • Inclusive Design 
      • New Technologies
  • Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate design solutions which respond to contemporary professional needs.
  • Critically evaluate current advanced scholarship in the discipline.
  • Develop independent learning skills to continue to advance comprehensive knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills (e.g., digital portfolio) to a high level

Optional

• Design Strategy & Entrepreneurship

  This module develops a strategic approach to managing design projects through a critical understanding of the key principles of design strategy and entrepreneurship. Students will develop skills to facilitate a shared vision among different stakeholders involved in complex projects and plan and evaluate a business model including factors such as political, social, economic, technical, branding and marketing. 

• Design for Sustainable Systems

  Students will develop a critical understanding of sustainability transitions and how these processes require intertwined changes at multiple levels (technology, society, economy, legislation). Students will then learn how design can be used to foster sustainability transitions, by applying a range of techniques to co-create and envision future sustainable socio-technical systems, and define the changes needed to support these radical transformations.

• Independent Study

  This study block aims to help students develop self-driven learning skills and the life-long learning mindset.  Students will develop the ability to identify and utilise relevant resources to support their own learning effectively and the skills to gain knowledge through focused inquiries and interactions with professionals.

• New Technologies

  Students will independently develop a critical awareness of new and emerging technologies for digital and physical product design applications. They will have the opportunity to conceptually understand and contextualise new technologies relative to the past, current and future innovation trends and exploit these in near and distant design future scenarios, communicating conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.