Students undertake a number of core modules, and have the opportunity to undertake an additional module if they wish to extend their studies.
Year 1
Autumn Semester
Service Design Fundamentals - 15 credits
This module focuses on the theoretical underpinnings, contemporary issues, topics and concepts relating to Service Design. The aim of the module is to introduce you to the fundamental principles and processes of the discipline, enabling you to approach studio work from a theoretically informed perspective. The module aims to improve your awareness of the issues that determine the usability of a designed service through the lenses of People, Data and Systems. Throughout the module you are introduced to various theories, factors, methods, and tools of Service Design. You will engage with the key hard and soft skills involved in the service design process, from user research and facilitation to prototyping, testing and implementation. The module focuses on the interdisciplinary nature of Service Design, covering topics ranging from participatory design to human factors.
Collaborative Design Studio - 10 credits
This module introduces you to the professional, philosophical and creative issues facing contemporary design and society as a whole. You will undertake a thematic design research project with colleagues, and develop a project through contextual research and development, negotiation and radical collaboration.
Research Methods for Creative Practice - 5 credits
This module begins by provides an introduction to a range of core research methods. It aims to assist you in the conception, development, documentation, delivery and reporting of both your major creative projects and your dissertation activity. Through a series of lectures and workshops you will explore, adopt and use a range of research methods appropriate for your studio practice. You will learn a variety of methods for data collection, interpretation and presentation. With an emphasis on applied research, you will learn to translate research findings into actionable design propositions and solutions.
Exit award: Graduate Certificate
Spring Semester
Service Design Studio – 10 credits
The aim of the module is to give you experience of a range of service design projects relating to the design of services and their constituent touchpoints with a focus on users, experience and context of use. By engaging in a range of project briefs students will learn fundamental service design approaches, methods and tools. Projects will incorporate lectures, seminars, workshops, fieldwork and studio work. Students will work independently and in groups, giving them the opportunity to work in a self-directed and collaborative manner.
Design for Change - 5 credits
This module will enable you to explore the capacity of design as a critical and collaborative agent of social, cultural and economic change. It also seeks to position design as a creative forum for exploring a dynamic, changing world full of critical, contradictory and provocative ideas. The module considers the potential impact of design on a range of specific topics including human behaviour, societal change and international development. Through a series of lectures and group tutorials students will examine the role of the designer in the 21 st century in relation to these broad issues. You will develop and present your own ‘Design for Change’ concepts and engage with a combination of faculty, industry and external stakeholders in the development and delivery of your project.
Author & Audience – 5 credits
This module will enable you to become familiar with key concepts in design theory, and to communicate effectively about the context of your personal practice and your proposed major project. A core design skill is being able to describe users, motivations, actions and reactions, obstacles, successes and imagine and convey scenarios, and this module is intended to facilitate critical reading and writing in a number of modes. The module will help hone your writing for design skills, from design fiction to technical writing, and copyrighting to developing content for new media platforms.
Design Studio, Major Project Proposal – 10 credits
You will initiate and state a design project of your choice (by negotiation with your tutor/s) which will encompass: information retrieval, collation and interpretation. The module will develop your ability to understand how to find scholarly and professional literature on the topic that interests you, and relate that literature to your research question. Your goal is to describe what is already known about your topic, how it has been researched by others, and how your question and the research methods you seek to employ different methods from that of previous design researchers. This will then enable you to develop a feasibility study where through a process of analysis and evaluation of a proposed project you will determine if it is required, appropriate and feasible.
Exit award: Graduate Diploma
Summer Semester
Design Studio, Major Project - 20 credits
During this module you will work on a self-selected and generated major project, which offer the opportunity to undertake a wide-ranging and in-depth practical and theoretical investigation into your chosen field of practice. Students will be supported to execute projects from both a pragmatic and speculative perspective.
Design Rationale - 5 credits
This module will enable you to reflect on your personal practice and your major project. You will record and communicate the argumentation and reasoning behind your design process, the reasons behind decisions made, your justification, other alternatives considered, the trade-offs evaluated, and the rationale that led to the decision. You will create a reflective learning journal and consider what you have learnt during your studies and how this may affect your design practice in the future.
Design Presentation - 5 credits
The culmination of the programme, this module will enable you to demonstrate your ability to prepare and present your work in a variety of contexts and formats both for the purposes of assessment and for the wider dissemination and promotion of your practice to peers, public and a professional audience.
Exit award: MA Service Design (90 credits)
Autumn Semester (Optional)
Design Incubation and Enterprise – 30 credits
This optional module provides you with the opportunity to develop your creative work and designs further within the NCAD Origin8 incubator, helping you to develop a viable business plan and funding proposal/s. The module aims to support the commercialisation of student’s design work, and draws upon the institutions strategic research and knowledge exchange activities. Students undertake an agreed programme of design practice, working with researchers and external partners, clients and funding bodies.
Exit award: MA Service Design with Graduate Certificate in Design Enterprise
Or
Design Research & Development – 30 credits
This optional module provides you with the opportunity to develop your creative work and designs further within an NCAD Research Cluster, helping you to undertake research and develop funding proposal/s. The module aims to support the research development of student’s design work, and draws upon the institutions strategic research and knowledge exchange activities. Students undertake an agreed programme of design research, working with researchers and external partners, clients and funding bodies.
Exit award: MA Service Design with Graduate Certificate in Design Research & Innovation
