Why you should study this course
Students are guided towards creative, imaginative and innovative ways of problem solving and investigation.
Students are provided with multiple options for the expression of creative explorations, including academic writing, poster design, multi-media outcomes, model making, oral and visual presentations, digital portfolios and online content. Key features of the course are the opportunity for working with live client projects (subject to availability)2 and where possible, Collaborative Online International Learning projects (COIL).
- Specialist design studios feature drawing tables, presentation equipment, wireless internet access, supported by a dedicated print bureau for 2D outputs up to A0 size and the CSAD Art Shop4.
- Extensive facilities include:4 state of the art laser cutting, rapid prototyping, desktop CNC milling, 3D printing facilities, paint spraying, scanners, two large block material workshops and handwork shops.
- Computing suites offer modelling, animation and analysis software, as well as graphic and word-processing packages, including Alias, Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, Vector works, RAMSIS and Jack ergonomics software. Visualisation is supported with software such as: Bunkspeed, Showcase and VRED.
What you'll study
During Semester 1 students will focus on collaborative learning experiences and the development of a community of PG learning.
It will focus on creative processes and contexts and provide a theoretical and practical introduction to academic standards of research and ethics which are core to level 7 study. This is parallel to the first specialist module where students will personally reflect on prior knowledge, experience and aspirations and think about future goals.
In Semester 2 students will critically develop their specialist practice/interests and start to question where personal boundaries and creative activities can be furthered or built upon at PG level. Students will work closely with peers and consider their own practice in a professional context. Importantly students will through negotiation and mentorship begin to develop a clear and research inspired project focus for their Final Project that takes place in Semester 3.
Structured around the three themes of communication, collaboration and creativity, we focus on the design of products that interface directly with people and are manufactured through methods of mass production. Within competitive markets, the ability to interpret and manage ‘user’ perception and expectations is just as important within the overall design process as the functional, operational and production considerations.
Modules
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Collaboration in Practice - 30 credits
This module explores the nature and definitions of research in art, architecture and design-based disciplines. You will also have the opportunity to work with students across the postgraduate disciplines within the School of Art and Design and internationally to enable you to develop a broader understanding of the context for your practice, encouraging you to dynamically engage with external partners and apply your ideas in ‘real world contexts'.
Compulsory
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Product Design Innovation Specialism 1 - 30 credits
This module places product design into a cross-cultural and transdisciplinary design context. The focus of this study is on idea generation and creativity techniques that are directly applicable to the product design and its innovation. Students will acquire technical knowledge and a sound understanding of research-based enquiry.
Compulsory
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Professional Context - 20 credits
This module asks students to consider the professional contexts of their discipline. It explores the ways in which creativity, innovation, problem-solving and entrepreneurship intersect in creative practice. It employs real-world examples to enable student to think about their professional practice, employability, portfolio development and approaches to communication.
Compulsory
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Interior Design Specialism - 30 credits
This MA level module places innovation into a cross-cultural and transdisciplinary design context. The aim is to look at design problems and opportunities from a user perspective and with a consideration for a global interior design context.
During this module students will work on an individual and a group design project. The individual project is centred around developing or building upon prior specialist skills, knowledge and experience and refining them for subsequent productively managed group design activity.
Compulsory
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Product Design Innovation Specialist Investigation - 30 credits
This module requires the management and implementation of an appropriate critical investigation. It will be based upon a project plan developed over Semester 1 and 2. This module will help gain specialist insight or a new knowledge base to support Final Specialist Project. The outcome will be a personal project brief or initial creative directions inspired by the data, discourse or analysis.
Compulsory
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Transnational Professional Development - 10 credits
The module is based on students selecting a series of topics related to intercultural and transnational communication, professional development and management/leadership to provide students with both a theoretical and practical framework to help build key skills.
Compulsory
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Product Design Innovation Final Project - 30 credits
The Final Project will comprise of a major design project that is agreed during the Final Project Plan. The project requires students to apply research conclusions drawn in the Product Design Innovation Specialist Investigation module and the resultant research informed product design brief and transform them through design techniques and innovative approaches into a novel, viable, desirable product design solution or set of solutions that are appropriate to user, stakeholder and design context.
Compulsory
