Design Management

This module explores key dimensions of contemporary issues in design, which each year will emphasise a specific theme. Through important emergent topics within these themes the module explores the meanings of modern design and its potential role in addressing critical contemporary issues and challenges. The module introduces you to different ways of thinking about the 'outcomes' of design, which may be concepts, material artefacts, services, plans, schemes, participatory methods, etc. In the module we address the changing role of design and the designer, and the evolving relationships between design, society, and contemporary issues.

This module considers the complex relationship between design and business and explores this relationship in historical and contemporary contexts. In this module we consider the manner in which design can contribute to sustainable and commercially viable propositions and the resultant relationship to organisational agendas. The role of design in business is moving towards more strategic positions increasingly working on complex systems and intangible objects. This module introduces you to design as a key area of intervention in business and aims to develop creative professionals able to navigate complex issues, envision possible futures, mediate between creative, commercial and triple bottom line imperatives, and connect organisations to stakeholders groups. Ultimately this module aims to develop an understanding of the scope, nature and role of design in business and the mechanisms by which it is employed.

This module explores future directions of design and allows you to develop your awareness of the complex interrelationships between design and others specialism's. In the module, we utilise design as the driver for such discourse but engage with many perspectives beyond those familiar to designers. The module engages with debates that are not bounded by traditional disciplinary concerns and seeks to develop an advanced level of critical and creative engagement with complex societal challenges. The curriculum supports applied and theoretical research into people, products, places and their interactions. This module provides you with the opportunity to develop an understanding of the scope, nature and role of design in business and the mechanisms by which it is employed.

This module aims to familiarise you with the origins of design management, its past, present and emerging forms; its functions and purposes; and its relationships with policymaking. It provides the historical and practical context for design management in general and the role of the design manager in particular. We explore the meaning of designing versus managing and the many ways design managers can contribute to organisations. You have the opportunity to develop specific skills in managing projects, developing design strategies as well as an awareness of branding, marketing, innovation, strategic design-skills necessary to be an effective design manager.

This module develops an understanding of a range of design research methods and their application within real world contexts. We aim to develop analytical and creative design thinking through theoretical investigation and practical activity. The module introduces and develops research approaches, methodologies and tools used to inform design research, as well as ideas about how and when to deploy these research tools appropriately. It supports the application of these practical and conceptual tools in a range of research methods appropriate to design.

This module is project-based and offers learning in project management and practice. Projects will vary from year to year but will centre on contemporary issues in design, including emerging research directions and issues related to design and business. Projects may be based on academically significant topics, thereby enabling you to become exposed to areas of contemporary design research. Alternatively, they may be linked to 'real world' issues and external clients, thereby developing your abilities in professional practice. Typically project activities in this module directly relate to, and integrate with academic studies in other modules and will provide an important opportunity for project-based creative activities and synthesis.

This module enables you to undertake an in depth and comprehensive research project into an area of personal interest and provides a project of significant size and depth in order to synthesise the skills and knowledge acquired in the programme. This module will allow you to engage in research design and implementation in a subsequent research project. It provides you with an opportunity to co-ordinate and manage your own learning experience and formulate this within a coherent research project. Where appropriate, you will be encouraged to engage with other units across the university in an interdisciplinary manner. Typically, teaching and learning strategies for this module are based around lectures, seminars and personal tutorials. During the project, you will verbally report your work at specific points and will also have support from a supervisor.