Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

The aim of this degree is to broaden your design and innovation thinking around your own particular interests by allowing you to:

develop understanding of the processes, principles and issues involved in designing and producing new products
understand the issues and challenges associated with innovation and its implementation
gain basic skills in applying and managing design processes
understand the role of design, innovation and creativity in a contemporary context
generate design ideas, concepts, proposals or solutions independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or as self-initiated activity.

You will gain knowledge and understanding of:

theories and models of design and innovation processes
design and innovation in a social and global context
the fundamental characteristics of design thinking
the historical, cultural, and technical foundations of design and innovation in a range of discipline areas.

On completion of the degree, you will be able to:

recognise various aspects of the design and innovation process using relevant concepts
appraise and evaluate design solutions in their context of use and production
think in creative, analytic, and reflective ways in articulating reasoned arguments
explore and critique the work of other practitioners
appreciate the aesthetic and ethical impacts of design.

On completion of the degree, you will be able to:

take a creative and informed approach to the design and innovation process
use appropriate media, tools, techniques, and methods to produce and communicate designs
be able to engage in solution-oriented debate
understand how to produce a balanced portfolio of work.

On completion of the degree, you will be able to:

communicate design outputs using appropriate forms of representation
recognise and integrate the expertise of others when designing
be independent and self-motivated, and manage your workload to meet deadlines
make use of appropriate online environments for the purpose of research, communication, and learning, both individually and collaboratively.

Knowledge and understanding

printed and online materials
guided exploration of case study material involving selected products, companies and people
guided development of skills (e.g. drawing skills) through printed and video resources
guided participatory exercises conducted individually and with peers
engagement in studies of potential users and consumers of design
focused design activities
tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) involving written and graphic communication
end-of-module assessments.

Cognitive skills

engagement in practical design activity
the creation of 2D and 3D representations
study of best practice drawn from various design contexts
product analysis using selected examples of design outputs
tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and project involving written and graphic communication
end-of-module assessments.

Key skills

exposure to design problems of increasing complexity
engagement with various stakeholders in design where communication is required
comparisons of strategies with peers and selected examples drawn from professional practice
end-of-module assessments.

Practical and/or professional skills