Design MDes

Compulsory

• Computer Based Design

  Aim: To introduce students to the basics of computer-based design methods and techniques including model representations, geometric sketches, constraints, and 3D features. To develop understanding and skills required to produce computer generated digital models, technical drawings, material simulation and rapid prototyping approaches within a CAD environment. 

• Creative Engineering Practice

  Aim: To provide students with a solid foundation in electronic engineering and mathematics, including an in-depth knowledge in electronic components in terms of their functionality and applications. To also provide working knowledge in computer software to simulate and solve electronic circuits and associated mathematics.

• Design Process and Research

  Aim: To enable students to familiarise with the design process and engage with the broader context of design research methods, their application within visual, market, user-centred, inclusive and other design fields. To also understand design’s ethical position and the relationships between societal, economic and environmental dimensions in global and local contexts relating to design decisions.

• Design Communication

  Aim: To enable students to have an appreciation of visual literacy in the context of design and visual expression, appreciating the context of visual thinking and to develop visual thinking techniques and processes through a variety of media. To help students develop foundation skills in visual communication, graphic communication, visualisation, design and the use of computer-generated media methods.

• Materials and Manufacturing

  Aim: To enable students to develop the fundamental knowledge of materials science and materials engineering, properties for various materials, the selection process and manufacturing methods. To also help students to establish links between materials, production volumes and manufacturing processes in product design.

• Introduction to Mechanics

  Aim: To introduce basic concepts and methods of engineering mechanics including statics and dynamics, relevant to the analysis of existing products using mathematical elements that underpin engineering mechanics. To enable students to make informed judgements about load, product geometry, mechanics of materials and energy considerations.

Compulsory

• Digital Design and Prototyping

  The module enables students to gain knowledge and understanding of the fundamental elements of digital design and digital product prototyping through theory lectures and guided project work. Students will study digital applications that helps in the creation of digital experiences for consumers for a specific digital product or service applying principles of User Experience design and interaction design.

• 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.

• 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. 

• 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.

• Fundamentals of Design for Sustainability

  The module introduces students to concept such as sustainable development, key environmental issues, Life Cycle Analysis etc. Students carry out a streamlined environmental review of a product in the earliest stages of the design process. Students will gain an in-depth knowledge of product eco-design and design for circular products, and to be able to apply these approaches in practice.

• Fundamentals of Innovation

  This module enables students to develop capabilities relating to personal innovation and creativity, to enhance entrepreneurial thinking and manage innovation. Students will be introduced to the concepts and relevant theories of innovation and entrepreneurship, while instilling their importance during the introduction, growth and survival of new products, services and businesses.

Compulsory

• 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 a Design opportunity. Students will demonstrate a deep level of knowledge of the design and innovation process and develop individual specialisations and creative differentiation.

• Design Major Project – Development

  From the insights and definition gained during their major project research module, students will combine all the skills acquired during their course to develop an innovative design proposal though iterative design thinking, human centred design, digital and physical design and sustainable principles.  Students will critically develop and evaluate technical and ergonomic opportunities evaluating them using robust qualitative and quantitative techniques.

Optional

• 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. 

• Embedded Systems for Product Design Project

  This module provides an environment for students to develop and demonstrate skills and knowledge in the application of microcontroller interfacing techniques, to understand theoretical and code-related principles associated with embedded systems and to design dedicated electronic and electromechanical embedded systems that can be transferred to their major project and that can be used for prototyping products of commercial quality.

• 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 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.

• Integrated Human Factors Project

  The module enables students to develop a detailed knowledge of human factors and helps students to integrate cognitive, physical, and affective human factors when considering the design of products and services. Through project work, students will identify areas for improvement and through a Human-Centred Design approach, demonstrate the ability to identify design solutions that meet and exceed the user requirements.

• Product Design Engineering Analysis Project

  This module will develop students’ ability to analyse the stress distribution of a component both theoretically and using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), the ability to analyse the structure, dynamics and mechanisms of products theoretically and interpret and present the results to optimise a design. Students will develop technical and analytical skills in the real-world of product design.

Compulsory

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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. 

• 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.

• 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.