Learning Outcomes

Educational aims

The DipHE in Design enhances your design knowledge, skills and competencies to prepare you for the many opportunities available in today’s design and creative industries and beyond. You’ll study the principles and concepts that underpin design and understand how design can respond to some of the complex challenges we face as a society today. You’ll apply your design knowledge through a range of design activities and project work. You’ll explore and try different design skills to build your toolkit, representing your interests and developing competencies. You’ll bring your learning together in a design portfolio, demonstrating your overall design ability as well as your values and identity as a designer.

The DipHE in Design offers a clear pathway to qualification: four modules that link together, providing the time to develop design expertise and character. Your tutor, the wider teaching team and design community will support you on this journey. The design work you produce during your study is evidence of your learning and development as a designer, and you can use it as part of your professional portfolio.

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this qualification, you’ll have knowledge and understanding of:

the role and value of design in different contexts
the technological, ecological, and social aspects of design
theories, approaches, and histories of design.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

connect and integrate knowledge from diverse sources, cultures and disciplines in project-based design contexts
identify and create opportunities that consider social and ecological challenges
reflect and think about design in creative, critical and analytical ways in project-based contexts.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

constructively review how to apply design to create real-world value
confidently engage in the creation and development of your personal and professional identity and practice
start to organise, manage and progress your design practice.

Key skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

select and shape digital and physical materials to mobilise and connect people and ideas to deliver design outcomes
reflexively select and use appropriate tools, techniques and methods to produce design ideas and outcomes
use disciplinary language, media, and argument to communicate design ideas.