Masters Degrees (Digital Design)

The Digital Design MA is concerned with the creation of any digital or computer related content or products. This includes digital media, digital products, digital interiors, digital exhibitions and installations, digital graphics, digital fashion and even digital branding and marketing. You can specialise in the following:

• Digital media design, including multimedia design, web design, 2D and 3D computer animation, visual and special effects for TV and film, mobile app design for tablets and smart phones, computer and video games, virtual and augmented reality and 2D and 3D visualisation

• Digital product design, including the design of any computer-based or screen-based product such as smartphones, smart TV’s, tablet devices, smart watches, games consoles, smart household appliances, information systems and 3D digital printing

• Digital interior design, including digital display and projection design, intelligent interiors, digital lighting design and digital furniture design

• Digital exhibition, museum and installation design, including digital heritage resources, digital archeology, interactive kiosk and installation design, virtual museums and exhibitions

• Digital graphic design, including the design of e-books, e-learning, interface design, interaction design and digital signage

• Digital fashion design, including the design of wearable computing, smart clothing design and digital fabrics

• Digital branding and marketing design, including digital corporate identity design, logo design, social media marketing, digital channel advertising and promotion

You will have access to industry standard software and hardware such as Adobe Creative Suite and Autodesk MAYA while working in a dynamic environment with ongoing multimedia research and commercial projects. There are also opportunities to work on digital design projects set by external companies and other organisations. You will develop the skills and ideas to go on to employment as a digital designer or to set up your own business as a freelancer after graduation.

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About the course

This course offers a dynamic programme to equip graduates for creative roles in the digital branding industry – at executive, strategic and managerial levels.

A unique blend of digital design and technology in the context of branding, this MSc aims to fill a gap, by developing your knowledge and practical experience of both digital design and branding concepts.

You will also gain a deep understanding of digital media technologies and research methods, and complete a dissertation that involves the full design cycle.

Aims

Digital media and the internet are having a big impact in the way brands behave, interact and speak.

As these technologies continue to develop in terms of functionality, availability and speed, even greater opportunities will arise for those individuals who are able to combine traditional marketing insight with a true understanding of digital media, capturing these benefits and articulating them at both an academic and vocational level.

Course Content

Typical Modules:

Digital Branding Strategy
Brand Experience Design
Digital Design
Digital Media Technologies
Multimedia Research Directions
Major Project

Special Features

The College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences has been offering successful digital design courses for over 12 years at undergraduate level and recently at postgraduate level. This course builds on the following BSc undergraduate and MSc postgraduate courses already available:

BSc Digital Design
BSc Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
MSc Advanced Multimedia and 3D Technologies
MA Design and Branding Strategy

The course is delivered by a team of academics and design professionals.

Assessment

Modules are assessed by practical assignments, written exams or a combination of the two methods as appropriate.

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Are you passionate about the web? Would you like to help businesses reach and implement creative online solutions? Southampton Solent University’s MSc Digital Design programme teaches students a wide range of industry relevant skills including user experience design, front-end web development and digital marketing.

As a conversion course, this master’s degree is well suited to students from diverse academic backgrounds. The course will help you to develop sought-after digital skills and prepare you for a range of careers after graduation.

Students are also able to tailor the course to their own personal career ambitions through a research project. Many use this piece of work to springboard the start of their career or a further research study.

Students are supported to gain a range of transferable skills throughout the course. These include project management, critical thinking, organisation and presentation skills. The professional issues and practise unit helps prepare students for the workplace by looking at the wider computing industry and the contexts in which digital skills can be used most effectively.

Learning is aided by a range of industry standard equipment. Facilities include high-spec computer labs, device testing labs and a usability lab with eye tracking facilities.

What does this course lead to?

The course comes to a close with students conducting their own research projects. This can be an excellent way to specialise knowledge towards desired careers, or act as a springboard for PhD study.

Who is this course for?

This conversion master’s course is ideally suited to students from a number of academic backgrounds who have a strong interest in learning web design and digital development technologies.

The course is also suited to those with extensive industry experience in the digital field, and who wish to gain an academic qualification.

What you will study

Core units and CATS points:

• Research Methods (15)
• Professional Issues and Practice (15)
• Pilot Project (15)
• Research Project (45)
• Digital Design Fundamentals (15)
• Digital Design Management (15)
• Web Technologies (15)
• Usability & UX Design (30)
• Digital Marketing (15)
• Computer Fundamentals (15)

Facilities

Students have access to high-spec computer labs and make use of the latest design and development programs.

Students will test applications in our new device laboratory - a special test area integrated within one of our existing software development spaces. This arrangement allows you to test your website designs and apps on real equipment, ensuring they perform as expected on the target platforms.

Your future

Graduates from this course would be well-suited for a range of digital roles. These include:

• Project management
• Front-end web development
• Web and digital marketing
• SEO
• Web analytics
• User experience design

Industry links

Course content is developed with input from a variety of sources including an industrial liaison panel. This ensures that your studies include the latest technologies and working practices.

You’ll also have the chance to work directly with real-world companies on live briefs, events and projects, while regular BCS meetings hosted at the University help you to build professional connections and secure valuable work experience opportunities.

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The aim of the Web and Digital Design program is to develop professionals within the industry who are able to plan, produce, and share knowledge in an effective way.

The program offers an experimental pathway at the forefront of design, marketing, and technology. Students blend sound design competence with strategic vision, knowledge of technical aspects and project management skills in order to coordinate all the different stages in the development process.

The program incorporates art direction and design, content, solid technical skills and an in-depth background in digital marketing and communication.

The curriculum is a balance between theoretical teaching and practical tasks. Project-based activities in particular are central to the learning experience and leverage abilities and information acquired in the other courses.

Projects follow a professional workflow, which encompasses the definition of the digital strategy, the interaction model and users' journey, the design of the interface and its look and feel, the creation of a prototype using front/back end programming tools.

As the user experience is increasingly developing through social media, companies are changing their business accordingly. This new and thrilling scenario is deeply investigated with specific regard to the integration of content and navigation flow between websites, search, and social platforms. The overall didactic experience provides the students with professional abilities, allowing them to engage in dialogue with the different figures involved in digital media projects.

The course lasts 15 months (from October until December) and is entirely taught in English language.

QUALIFICATION

After passing the final exam, eligible students will obtain a Master’s Degree from IULM and SPD. The Master corresponds to 60 ECTS credits.

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

Founded in Milan in 1954, SPD Scuola Politecnica di Design is the first postgraduate school for design disciplines in Italy. Situated in Milan, the capital of design, Scuola Politecnica di Design pioneered design education thanks to its solid grounding and to its peculiar approach integrating different domains: ergonomics, art, perception studies, semiotics.

Today, SPD is an international laboratory for the exchange of ideas, experience and creativity in order to develop projects. Since its foundation the school has welcomed an extraordinary community of students from various countries and backgrounds.

All courses are taught in a personalized and small learning environment promoting easy contact with the faculty and the staff. Indeed, at SPD every student is followed individually by a faculty formed by designers, professionals from different fields and visiting tutors.

The masters programs offered by SPD are organized in collaboration with IULM University, and award academic degrees recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, The University and Research MIUR, corresponding to 60 credits under the ECTS system.

The teaching method at Scuola Politecnica di Design is arranged into intensive workshops, studio classes, theoretical lectures, seminars and visits. Research work is carried out in collaboration with leading companies such as Volkswagen, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Heineken, IKEA, Artemide and Poltrona Frau Group among the others.

These projects are deveopped according to an interdisciplinary approach which is a testing ground for the student’s skills, from the concept idea to its execution.

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About the course

What is digital service design? It’s the art of building customer experiences with a strong digital element.

This new multi-disciplinary course is designed to help graduates develop cutting-edge user experience design techniques for designing digital products and services. The course features close integration with leading digital companies to help you develop deep knowledge of both design theory and practice as well as to equip you for employment in the digital sector.

The course has been designed in collaboration with Wilson Fletcher, a leading digital design studio, to closely mirror current professional practices. In the course, you will have the opportunity to apply for an industry internship at the end of your third term. Additionally, some of our digital design partners may also offer dissertation opportunities.

Aims

Brunel’s MSc course in Digital Service Design prepares you for roles in the fast-growing digital industry by providing a programme led by industry experts and practitioners.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Generate ideas and turn them into viable concepts and working prototypes.
Work in multidisciplinary teams in a studio setting and take responsibility for your work.
Problem-solve and design for both user and business needs.
Understand the skills, tools and methodologies necessary to develop compelling strategies, products and services.
Design and develop experiences, products and services of high quality with digital media at their core.
Demonstrate a critical and practical understanding of the issues relevant to digital service design and their use in the context of modern industry and commercial environments.
Have a thorough and clear understanding of the methodologies and professional skills necessary for effective digital service design in a business environment.
Reflect – critically and in-depth – on relevant aspects of the state-of the art of both the practice and theory of digital service design.

Course Content

Typical Modules:

Digital Design Methodologies
Digital Innovation
Systems Project Management
Digital Service Applications
Research Methods
Data Visualisation
Dissertation

Special Features

Quality internships
You will have the opportunity to apply for an internship with a high-profile company.

As a result of enrolling on this course, you will have the opportunity to form a network of industry contacts which will be invaluable when you enter into the world of employment.

You will work on a number of individual and group practical projects based on real-world briefs.

You will develop the technical, interpersonal, creative and strategic skills needed to succeed in the digital service design industry.

A cutting edge programme
You will explore areas of design and rapid prototyping, innovation methodologies, interview and workshop facilitation, journey mapping, customer research methodologies, project management and how to develop and present actionable recommendations and much more.

Women in Engineering and Computing Programme

Brunel’s Women in Engineering and Computing mentoring scheme provides our female students with invaluable help and support from their industry mentors.

Teaching

You will be taught by our lecturers and practising researchers, through a mixture of lectures, seminars, lab sessions, guest lectures from industry experts, talks and workshops. We will thus be providing you with theory-based teaching that is based on up-to-date research in this exciting area.

Academics and guest lecturers on the course come from a wide variety of backgrounds and have experience working on high-profile projects at companies like Wilson Fletcher, Marks & Spencer, The Telegraph, W12, Virgin Media, BBH, IDEO, Friday, SapientNitro, RBS, Hugo & Cat etc.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework, examination and dissertation. You will also produce a portfolio of evidence for the Digital Design Methodologies module. Examinations are held in May.

Work Placements

This course is focused on employment and students have the opportunity to undertake an internship after they complete their dissertation. Digital design companies potentially offering internships include: Wilson Fletcher, ORM, Hugo & Cat, DDB, Furthermore, BBH, The Guardian, M&S, W12, Friday, UsTwo.

Selected students may also have the opportunity for a company-sponsored dissertation project in term three.

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MSc Architecture is a specialised programme designed to develop digital design and practical manufacturing skills. It builds on the ethos of rigorous and directed design studio tuition of LSBU’s established RIBA part 1 and 2 degrees. It also emphasises the value of detailed and analytical research and the expression of this through structured extended writing.

You’ll extend your understanding of advanced architectural design and progressive contextual urbanism through studio- and workshop-based projects. Tutorials in the design studio and analogue and digital workshops, as well as instruction in advanced design software, will help you define and enhance your personal response to architectural challenges.

The course connects 2D and 3D representations (drawing and physical modelling) with an understanding of digital fabrication and manufacturing, and you’ll have the opportunity to develop and make architectural components using the onsite facilities of the DARLAB(Digital Architecture and Robotic Lab).

You’ll also consider architectural history and theory, and evaluate this to develop your own position in the form of an extended written project on a subject of your choice. For your final design project you'll develop a proposition for a complex building or buildings, drawing together all your learning to highlight the relationships between theory, design and technology.

Modules

Advanced digital design techniques
Integrative technologies: robotic manufacturing
Design 1: research
History and theory: critical thinking
Architecture and theory: dissertation
Technology: technical thesis
Design 2: synthesis

Assessment

All design modules are subject to continuous assessment:

• Design tutors monitor design scheme proposals throughout the semester, and collectively moderate assessments at each semester’s end;
• Individual feedback on design project proposals is provided at every individual studio tutorial;
• An evaluative, critical summary of design projects is provided at all final presentations

Provisional grades are given at the end of semester 1, with all students offered opportunities to review, revise, and add to their design
project submissions:

• A written and illustrated project report examining aspects of environmental technology;
• A major extended written and illustrated assignment (dissertation) on a subject of personal interest related to architecture, and using primary and secondary sources;
• Workshop-based fabrication and design projects;
• A written and illustrated technology report examining aspects of the constructional, environmental, and material implications of the major design project.

Teaching and learning

Teaching takes place in our dedicated Masters level studios, and makes use of LSBU’s specialist workshops; the Digital Architecture Robotic Laboratory, and Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings.

You'll learn in a variety of formats including structured lecture programmes, 1:1 tutorials, small and large group seminars, and interim and final design juries with tutors and invited guests present.

Timetable

Typically each module involves 40 contact hours, and 160 self-managed learning hours; exceptionally, 'Design 2: synthesis' involves 80 contact hours, and 320 self-managed learning hours.

Professional links

The course has been developed in consultation with employers interested in upskilling their workforce with enhanced digital design and manufacturing skills. The course has strong links with the Royal Institute of British Architects, Architects Registration Board, and South London Society of Architects, plus numerous local, regional, and national practices.

Employability

Digital design and practical manufacturing skills are applicable to, and sought after in a very broad range of employment opportunities in architecture and other design-related activities, including visualisation, gaming, animation, media, production engineering, and industrial design.
The course is not intended to lead to a professional qualification, although it reflects the criteria and graduate attributes used by RIBA to deliver their validation services to programmes in architecture.
Curriculum developed to reflect (but not meet) professional and statutory body requirements.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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This Master of Design is new for 2017.

A professionally focused program of advanced study in contemporary design practice, the Master of Design course includes specialisations in interaction design, multimedia design and collaborative design.

You can also take a range of units from across these three to construct an advanced studies in design specialisation. This program is ideal for those keen to enter the expanding fields of professional design engagement, or design practitioners aiming to upgrade their expertise. You’ll be trained in advanced design thinking and processes that’ll equip you to create design solutions that engage experiential, communication, object and spatial contexts.

Visit the website http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2017/design-f6002?domestic=true

Overview

Please select a specialisation for more details:

- Advanced studies in design
This pathway allows you to construct, with approval, an individual program of study from across interaction design, multimedia design and collaborative design. This enables you to tailor your unit choices while addressing the fundamental principles of advanced design practice and thinking. It’ll inspire you to connect research and practice across the design disciplines, and to become a thoughtful design practitioner. You’ll broaden your knowledge of key design constructs, deepen your professional learning in design areas of interest, and advance your capacity as a design professional.

- Collaborative design
Collaborative design places you conceptually and practically at the intersection of interior, graphic and industrial design practice. The program will set you design challenges involving image, text, products, narratives, systems, ervices, public and private space, materiality and virtuality. You’ll develop independent conceptual and practical design skills alongside an ability to be part of collaborative design processes. You’ll expand your awareness across design disciplines; develop multidisciplinary design expertise; and build broader skills in leadership, professional adaptability and complex project planning.

- Interaction design
The interaction design specialisation develops your skills in the design of contemporary artefacts, products and services that engage with interactive, user-focused technologies and processes. These can include, but aren’t limited to, health and medical equipment, ‘smart’ furniture, educational toys, wearable technologies, information kiosks and transport systems. You’ll use a diverse range of interactive processes, including the application of advanced technologies; electronics and programming; physical and virtual interface manipulation; engineering and material fabrication; and rapid prototyping. The specialisation gives you an understanding of the relationship between interactive activities, products and human behaviour.

- Multimedia design
Multimedia design develops your skills in digital communication environments. This includes: designing for the web; motion and animation; and interactive touchscreen devices and surfaces. Emphasising an advanced knowledge of existing and emerging digital design processes and systems, this specialisation embraces projects of varied scale, from hand-held smart devices to large public interactive screens. It develops your ability to build a communication narrative; use multimedia processes to fill community and business needs; and understand the end-user’s engagement with projects or products such as websites, apps and other screen-based media.

Course Structure

The course comprises 96 points structured into 3 parts:

Part A. Preparatory Studies for Advanced Design (24 points), Part B. Advanced Design Studies (24 points), and Part C. Advanced Design Applications (48 points).

- Students admitted at Entry level 1 complete 96 points, comprising Part A, B & C
- Students admitted at Entry level 2 complete 72 points, comprising Part B & C
- Students admitted at Entry level 3 complete 48 points, comprising Part C

Note: Students eligible for credit for prior studies may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options. A zero credit point unit in Art, Design and Architecture Occupational Health and Safety will also be undertaken. This unit is required of all students in the Master of Design and must be undertaken even if credit is obtained for Parts A or B.

Part A: Preparatory studies for advanced design
These studies provide you with the conceptual thinking and technical skill set required for advanced postgraduate study in this area. The studio unit brings together conceptual and technical abilities developed in the other two units.

Part B: Advanced design studies
In these studies you will focus on the application of conceptual thinking and technical skills to advanced design problem solving. You will analyse and create a project outcome based on research, critique, and the application of design processes appropriate to your specialisation. You will also choose a selective unit that will further build capacity in your chosen specialisation.

Part C: Advanced design applications
In these studies you will focus on the application of advanced design problem solving skills at a professional level. You will consolidate skills and practice of design research methodologies and may extend your research trajectory to further study. Part C is also supported by a selective unit to allow you to build capabilities in your chosen specialisation.

In the final semester you will pursue a major design project or participate in a leading industry project. The exegesis unit formalises the research component of Part C. The final semester brings together advanced technical ability, conceptual thinking, entrepreneurial studies and design management in practice.

For more information visit the faculty website - http://www.study.monash/media/links/faculty-websites/design-and-architecture

Find out how to apply here - http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2017/design-f6002?domestic=true

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Great design ideas can change the world. With human and user-centred design at the heart of this internationally regarded Masters programme, you’ll develop research and practice-based design solutions to respond to a demanding industry and rapidly changing society.

Whether your background is in design or in another discipline, you’ll develop, test and evaluate innovative design solutions in real-life scenarios. You’ll gain first-hand experience of current needs and trends across a range of sectors, and focus on a large-scale design project within one of the specialisms offered (see the ‘Specialisms’ tab).

Taught by diverse staff with internationally recognised profiles in research and practice, you’ll build an interdisciplinary approach to design in a stimulating environment, while being exposed to and involved in cutting-edge research. You’ll gain practical and research skills to prepare you for a wide range of careers.

Specialist facilities

We have plenty of facilities to help you make the most of your time at Leeds. We have an impressive range of resources that you can use to develop your projects.

At the top of our research facilities we have the world’s most sophisticated mobile eye-tracking glasses, which are used to understand how users interact with design (see more information at http://www.tobiipro.com). Other excellent research facilities are our EEG equipment (electroencephalography) to understand how users interact with the world, and our colour analysis/prediction lab.

We also house the M&S Company Archive including documents, advertising, photos, films, clothing and merchandise from throughout Marks & Spencer’s history. ULITA, an archive of international textiles, is also housed on campus and collects, preserves and documents textiles and related areas from around the world. You can make appointments to view items, but it also has an online catalogue where you can explore the major collections.

You’ll also be able to develop your practice in well-equipped studios and purpose-built computer clusters so that you can build your skills on both PC and Mac. There is also a computer-aided design (CAD) suite with access to the latest design software, and some of the latest design technology, such as digital printing, screen printing, 3D printing, and laser cutting.

Course content

In Semester 1 you’ll study a set of compulsory modules that will allow you to develop a range of research, conceptual and practical design skills and tools to lay the foundations for the rest of the programme. You’ll have the chance to learn through case studies, practical exercises and work on briefs encompassing all specialisms offered.

In Semester 2 you’ll have a choice of optional modules that focus on current trends in design practice and research. These optional modules will give you the opportunity to work on live projects from industry and/or live research projects being conducted in the School of Design. You’ll work on group and/or individual projects to explore more specific and advanced skills and tools in your areas of interest.

In Semester 2 you’ll also choose and develop a specialist project in which the tools and skills learnt in Semester 1 are applied. Projects can be developed in a wide range of topics that suit your interests and career ambitions. These include: Branding Design, Digital and Interactive Design, Information Design, Instructional Design, Graphic and Visual Communication Design, Service Design, and Typographic Design.

In Semester 3 you can choose one of two pathways: 1) Continue with your specialist design project, develop it at a professional level and apply it in a real-life context (with suitable users) for evaluation; 2) Produce an independent research dissertation based around a relevant field or topic within the specialisms offered.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

In addition to the compulsory modules listed below, for your final project you will choose to do either: - Design Prototyping and Evaluation (40 credits) or - Design Dissertation (40 credits).

• Digital Design Practice 20 credits
• Research Methods for Design 20 credits
• Design Thinking 20 credits
• Design Principles and Applications 10 credits
• Design Research and Integration 40 credits

Optional modules

You will select two modules from the list of optional modules below.

• Branding Design in Context 15 credits
• Information and Instructional Design 15 credits
• Digital and Interactive Design Solutions 15 credits
• Service Design Innovation 15 credits
• Graphic and Typographic Design 15 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Design MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Design MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught and guided by a diverse team of staff who are leaders in their fields, with a wide variety of research interests and years of experience as design practitioners.

We use a range of teaching and learning methods so you can benefit from their expertise. These may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group learning and meetings with your tutor or supervisor. However, independent study is crucial to this degree, as it allows you to develop your skills and explore your own ideas.

Assessment

Depending on the modules you choose you’ll be assessed by different methods. They’ll include individual and group projects, project proposals and reports, presentations and reflective reports.

Career opportunities

This programme will equip you with a range of design skills using different media, as well as allowing you to hone your specialist skills in an area of your choice. It will also equip you with advanced skills in research, analysis, teamwork, presentation and communication that will be valuable in a range of careers.

You’ll be well prepared for a career in design practice. You can set up your own freelance business or take up a key position in a design studio, agency or organisation.

You can also work in cross-disciplinary fields applying your design skills to business, marketing, applied psychology, healthcare communication, retail, government, the public or private sector, etc.

Many of our students also choose to continue benefiting from our cutting-edge and frontier research by doing a PhD and following a research and/or academic career.

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The defining feature of BA (Hons) Textile Design at NUA is the broad experimental approach to a range of textile practices including print and dye, constructed textiles, drawing, laser cutting and digital design.

Focusing on innovative approaches to design you will be able to investigate textile practices without being constrained by a curriculum which segregates design specialisations.

Freedom to explore creative practice together with a proactive approach towards industry engagement, self-promotion and competition entry helps students gain placement opportunities and win awards every year, including New Designers, Bradford Textile Society and CAMAC Student Wallpaper Design.

Lectures and workshops with guests from textile design and fashion sectors such as Sarah Angold (Sarah Angold Studio), Sally Ann Wood (Cath Kidston) and Margo Selby encourage industry understanding. Trips to cities such as Paris and New York include studio and trade fair visits to further support you in identifying and developing your own career path or business venture.

We challenge conventional thinking about textile design practice and encourage and support you to push the boundaries of your practice through experimentation, critical reflection and skilful use of techniques and processes.

Facilities

Textile Print and Dye Workshop

Long print tables with repeat furniture for screenprinting fabric lengths, heat presses, dye kitchen with steaming and washing facilities are included in the resources available.

Constructed Textiles Workshop

Resources include: digital sewing, embroidery and knitting machines with professional software, spinning wheels, tapestry frames, smocking machines, shaft table top looms, digital reactive and acid dye fabric printer, Epson 7000 digital disperse dye sublimation printer and Mimaki TX2 digital fabric printer.

Digital Design Workshop

Equipped with the Adobe Creative Suite. AVA professional textile design software is available for taught delivery and individual use.

General Technical Sessions

Optional software inductions available to all students introduce you to a wide range of creative possibilities and output options.

Media Resource Centre

For digital cameras, tripods, 35mm DSLRs, 35mm film cameras and lighting equipment.

Laser Cutter

Large-bed cutter for card, board and acrylic materials with associated digital design hardware and software.

NUA Library

The largest specialist are, design and media collection in the East of England including 32,000 books, 1,300 journal subscriptions and 3,000 DVDs.

Applications

The offer of entry onto a Masters Degree (MA) is based on an expectation that you have the potential to fulfil the aims of the course of study and achieve the standard required to successfully complete the award. Entrants should normally have achieved a BA (Hons)/BSc Degree of 2:1 or above (or its equivalent), in a subject related to your proposed course of study.

Applicants who hold a Degree from another discipline may also be considered for entry, subject to the submission of a satisfactory portfolio of art, design or media-related work in support of their application.

The majority of applicants to courses at NUA will be invited to attend an interview. This provides an invaluable chance to meet face-to-face and is the major factor in determining the success of your submission. The interview is an opportunity to assess your work and the suitability of your application and also provides you with a chance to assess NUA’s staff, campus and facilities and ask questions. The key focus of your application process is on your portfolio. Some courses may require additional entry requirements or passes in specific subjects.

• Complete the application form, including a well-prepared and considered 500 word statement indicating your intentions for MA study. The form should be word-processed not hand-written.
• Detach the Reference Form and forward to your chosen referee with a request to complete and return to NUA at the address indicated.
• Email the completed form to: [email protected] or post to Admissions, Norwich University of the Arts, Francis House, 3 – 7 Redwell St, Norwich, NR2 4SN
• We will endeavour to contact you within two weeks of receiving your application and reference from your nominated referee. If your application is acceptable we will arrange a date for interview.

For further information on this course, please visit our website - MA Textile Design.

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This is a hybrid programme that aims to integrate the principles of “DIGITAL DESIGN CREATIVITY” and “INTEGRATED/COLLABORATIVE DESIGN” under the same pedagogical framework. The course will investigate the integration of digital media in architectural and urban design at all three levels; creative (e.g. parametric, generative), operational and collaborative (e.g. BIM). Through collaborative design exercises, students will gain practical experience of working with diverse digital media and techniques to generate, evaluate and communicate design intelligence and information.

In addition to developing team working skills, they will also be encouraged to identify and follow individually tailored career paths in line with their individual interests and aspirations. The course is specifically designed to accommodate and support learner-directed professional development in three main areas of digital and integrated design: creative design, digital modelling/simulation, design information management. We aim to cultivate an intellectual climate, providing close links with innovative design practices, embracing experiential learning supported with state-of-the-art facilities and resources.

The course aims to:

- provide the students with a comprehensive understanding of technology-mediated design theories, methods and techniques in Architecture and Urban design.
- provide the students with the knowledge and understanding of diverse and integrated models of “digital design collaboration” in a highly cross-disciplinary setting.
- assist students in developing the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies in a highly competitive, global and technology-mediated design practice.
- promote high quality research skills in Design Computation and Building Information Modelling (BIM).

Why School of Architecture?

Highly rated research

Liverpool was the UK’s first Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) accredited University School of Architecture. Research lies at the core of our activities and we have highly rated international research in the fields of History and Theory and Environment and Process.

The activities of the research groups within these two fields provide the knowledge and expertise required by the professional discipline that the School serves, but also reach out into related areas in the visual arts, urban design, conservation and innovative technologies.

Career prospects

Students who successfully complete a Higher Degree go on to interesting and rewarding careers in architecture, the wider construction industry, management, higher education, the arts and conservation and many other specialisms to be found in the arts, architecture and the built environment.

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COURSE OVERVIEW

• Choose from a range of specialist modules to launch your career in digital media
• Develop your skills through work on live client projects
• Push creative boundaries with opportunities to experiment, innovate and take risks

The Digital Media Practice programmes at Winchester are designed to accommodate a wide range of specialist interests within the digital media industry. Build your theoretical understanding within the context of honing practical skills in a range of specialist careers. Develop new ideas and theories through your engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms.

Your practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and work in professional contexts. Partnerships with professional practitioners and bodies give you the starting point to develop your own network of professional contacts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped digital design studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand to support you.

Your course consists of five core modules plus two optional modules, where you undertake individual projects and case studies relevant to your particular area of interest. Core modules include Digital Media Principles, Design Practice, and a project on Emerging Media. MA Digital Media Practice includes your choice of any two optional modules, while on the specialist pathways you choose two optional modules from a more specific selection. Examples of module choices include:

Digital Media Practice

Choose from any of the modules available on the specialist pathways

Advertising, Marketing and Branding Design

• Marketing Communication
• Brand Design and Strategy

Design Thinking

• Design Communication
• Design Research

Interaction Design

• AR and VR Interaction
• Narrative and Storytelling

Motion Graphics

• Motion Graphics
• Transmedia Storytelling

Visualisation

• 3D Visualisation
• Infographic Communication

Graduates pursue careers in the digital media industry as lead designers, design researchers, account directors, content writers and creative producers.

Careers

Graduates pursue careers in the digital media industry as lead designers, design researchers, account directors, content writers and creative producers.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Suitable for applicants from:

UK, EU, World

Learning and teaching

Start Date: September

Teaching takes place: Daytime

Students develop new ideas and theories through their engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms. Practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and by undertaking work in professional contexts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped Digital Design Studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand during core hours.

Location

Taught elements of the course take place on our King Alfred Campus (Winchester) or at our West Downs Campus (Winchester)

Assessment

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Further information

For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures.

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MA Communication Design at Falmouth is a transformative, intensive studio based course, enabling you to develop your individual critical voice in communication design. The course prepares you for the demands of a rapidly changing, complex media world, where the ability to create meaningful and effective ideas is paramount.

Benefits:
- Learn from leading global design provocateurs and teachers in project challenges and study set
- Gain commercial experience through internships
- Work in a multi-million pound studio environment that mirrors leading contemporary design studios
- Specialist skills training, relevant for your project interests
- Final semester London show
- Digital final exhibition for global recognition and launch

Visit the website https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/communication-design-ma

How the course is taught

The course is structured over 45 weeks, across three semesters: deconstruction, reconstruction and reinvention.

You'll be in the studio most weekdays working on outcomes rooted in design process and the development of meaningful and innovative ideas. The experience is designed to be supportive yet provocative, so you can take your ideas and practice into new and exciting realms, that challenge you and the wider communications world.

Your learning is delivered across a mixture of set lectures, tutorials, workshops, and peer and tutor review.

Contact hours vary across the course, being most intensive during the first two semesters, with more self directed study as you develop your final project in the third semester. We expect some students to be away at points during the final semester, either working on research and project feedback, or attending internships.

Course outline

The course prioritises fresh and fearless thinking, developing students who see no boundaries to their work, curious to engage and discover while pursuing the highest level of innovation in communication design.

You'll gain an understanding of the global framework of communication design, and an approach to design process that delivers great ideas across diverse media platforms.

Mirroring the success of longstanding programmes at our School of Communication Design, you'll benefit from frequent industry contact, enabling you to stretch and question your practice, gaining inspiration from within and beyond your immediate boundaries.

Attracting a range of applicants, the course prepares you for independent or studio practice, in the applied creative industries, broader arts, or further academic research.

Our priority is to encourage your development by distilling and building your creative voice and ambition. We do so via three semesters, deconstruction, reconstruction and reinvention, with project outcomes mirroring a design process structure.

What you'll do

Semester 1: Deconstruction
- MACD 101: Process
(20 credits)
This module introduces the components of design process in relation to your own personal practice. Through provocation and critical debate you'll reflect on and challenge what you do, seeing how global, experiential and experimental insights can generate the most appropriate process models for a contemporary communications problem.

- MACD 102: Intersections
(20 credits)
This module examines the fundamental components to the production of design: human interaction and collaboration. Whether this interaction is between client and designer, object and user, or experience and emotion, it allows you to experience provocative challenges that hone your own standpoint. You'll learn how social engagement, polar tension or friction can inspire new thinking.

- MACD 103: Boundaries
(20 credits)
This module allows you to take more radical entry points into your understanding of practice; taking project interest into new forms or creating critical design response from more theorised or experimental catalysts.
Provocateurs will continue to challenge and stretch the limits of your enquiry, exploring new theoretical models and examining the debate of 'designer as author'; how works are translated or used; and how they or their work become the provocateur.

Semester 2: Reconstruction
- MACD 104: Curate and build
(40 credits)
You'll deep dive into your emergent interests, exploring how technology and an increasingly complex consumer and cultural landscape may effect your enquiry. Thinking by doing, you'll elect and develop skill sets and a depth of study in both practice and theory. With the module running across the whole semester, it allows you to fully prepare and test ideas and craft, sectors and media as you begin to prepare your main MA project.

- MACD 105: Compete
(20 credits)
Ahead of the final semester, you'll begin to look at avenues and insights for your own practice and from a business or funding perspective. You'll build professional skills relevant to individual need and examine components of design development including publishing, presentations, production and IP.

The module will also examine other methodologies of delivering work around the world, whether through commission or employment, working in known fields of the creative industries or with museums, arts organisations or universities and research bodies.
Student will also engage in competitive projects set by external bodies.

Semester 3: Reinvention
- MACD 106, MA project
(60 credits)
This module allows you to realise your final major project, in a largely self directed semester, bringing together practice, theory and an evaluation phase that provides reflection and potential industry or funding opportunities to be negotiated ahead of graduating.

The first phase leads to exhibiting at a key industry or cultural event, with an interim show. The second sees you gather insights, industry or critical feedback, or undertake an internship, or preparing for the launch of your project. This final phase sees the production of an essay or strategic report, depending on future plans.

Facilities

- Dedicated MA studio space
- Lecture theatres, design lab, break out spaces and meeting rooms
- Digital printing facilities, Risograph machine, woodblock printing and presses, workshop and negotiated access to screen-printing studios
- Apple suite, with Adobe CS and full collection of Monotype typefaces
- Extensive library facilities and digital collections
- Negotiated use of other facilities such as film, photographic, textiles and product design studios

Staff

You'll be taught by staff with backgrounds spanning design, academic, writing and research careers. They offer decades of experience teaching and working for leading studios, working with international clients, arts and cultural organisations, exhibiting and publishing work and research. They are enaged with many of the world's top creative universities and organisations as keynote speakers, external examiners and consultants. Overall they are all inspired by design, teaching, nurturing and encouraging great and motivated students.

Assessment

- Individual project briefs
- Design research journal
- Essay
- Oral presentations, individually and in groups
- Critical review or business plan

Careers

Communication design is a broad field of study, with career choices depending largely on your own personal project focus.

Options include:

- Graphic design
- Advertising
- Packaging and brand design
- Service design
- Photography and film
- Type design or illustration
- Editorial design
- Motion graphics, interactive or digital design
- Information or UX design
- Design criticism and writing
- Teaching, research or PhD study
- Allied fields: television, the heritage sector or exhibition design

Interview and selection process

Please apply via submission of an application form, an outline of your key interest or masters proposal and a portfolio. Details about our portfolio requirements can be found on the application form.

Interviews are held in person at the School, online via Skype or by phone.

Find out how to apply here - https://myfalmouth.falmouth.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login?process=siw_ipp_app&code1=MACODEFC_SEP&code2=0001

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COURSE OVERVIEW 

• Choose from a range of specialist modules to launch your career in digital media
• Develop your skills through work on live client projects
• Push creative boundaries with opportunities to to experiment, innovate and take risks

The Digital Media Practice programmes at Winchester are designed to accommodate a wide range of specialist interests within the digital media industry. Build your theoretical understanding within the context of honing practical skills in a range of specialist careers. Develop new ideas and theories through your engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms.

Your practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and work in professional contexts. Partnerships with professional practitioners and bodies give you the starting point to develop your own network of professional contacts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped digital design studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand to support you.

Your course consists of five core modules plus two optional modules, where you undertake individual projects and case studies relevant to your particular area of interest. Core modules include Digital Media Principles, Design Practice, and a project on Emerging Media. MA Digital Media Practice includes your choice of any two optional modules, while on the specialist pathways you choose two optional modules from a more specific selection. Examples of module choices include:

• Design Communication
• Design Research

Careers

Graduates pursue careers in the digital media industry as lead designers, design researchers, account directors, content writers and creative producers. 

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Suitable for applicants from:

UK, EU, World

Learning and teaching

Start Date: September

Teaching takes place: Daytime

Students develop new ideas and theories through their engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms. Practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and by undertaking work in professional contexts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped Digital Design Studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand during core hours.

Location

Taught elements of the course take place on our King Alfred Campus, Winchester or at our West Downs Campus, Winchester

Assessment

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

Through the undertaking of projects, students engage with real-world tasks, with assessment reflecting the solutions and outcomes expected in the digital media industry. Assessment takes place throughout the life of a project in order to test and offer feedback on the process and integration of skills. Students are required to complete a final substantial piece of work in the form of either an appropriate digital media project or a written dissertation.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Further information

For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures

Read less

This innovative programme is a collaboration between the schools of Architecture and Engineering. Leading UK industry is relying on Virtual Engineering to drive competitiveness in an increasingly tough global market. The dramatic change in practices within organisations to be digitally driven in the future requires a wider approach to design and fresh business models. To capitalise on this, it is critical for future and existing Designers and Managers to have the skills this programme provides.

This programme brings together the best of design teaching from different professions; from Industrial and Product Design, Architecture, alongside facilities at the technological forefront of digital design including Virtual Engineering, Virtual Reality and Rapid Prototyping.

It links the knowledge and experience held by industry partners with the University’s research strengths.

This unique programme pioneers a collaborative transdisciplinary approach between Architecture and Industrial Design disciplines sharing a design ethos and methodology; exploring the similarities and differences in a collaborative studio environment.

With a history of new product development initiatives dating back to the 1990s, and drawing on its substantial developments in Virtual Engineering, the School is well placed to harness knowledge, expertise and networks that have been developed within the University over recent years.

This programme draws on the knowledge, expertise and networks that have been developed within the University as part of the Virtual Engineering Centre (VEC).

The VEC is a University of Liverpool, School of Engineering led centre of expertise in best practice for demonstration, innovation and integration of virtual design and engineering technologies across High Value Manufacturing sectors.

The VEC comprises a multi-disciplinary team of engineers, computer scientists and industry experts, underpinned by extensive access to a wide range of academic expertise from across a wide range of disciplines. The VEC delivers technology development and the latest research, training and knowledge transfer around the application and adoption of advanced modelling, simulation and 3D immersive visualisation in support of product design and manufacturing innovation.

Visiting lecturers from leading design practices and industry will contribute to the programme as guest lecturers, with current research, and demonstrating real-life case studies.

This programme offers a semester at our campus in China, Xi’an Jiaotong- Liverpool University.


Programme Structure

Semester 1

Presenting Design Research (15 credits)
Design Project 1 (30 credits)
Managing New Product Development (15 credits)
Digital Design and Simulation Technologies (15 credits)
User-centred Research and Design (15 credits)
Design Appreciation 1 (15 credits)

Semester 2

Research Methodology (15 credits)
Design Project 2 (15 credits)
Innovation and Entrepreneurship (15 credits)
Group New Product Development Project (15 credits)
Design Appreciation 2 (15 credits)

Semester 3

Thesis (Dissertation, Design by Research or Design) (60 credits)

Careers

The industry need for digitally enabled Architects, Designers and Engineers promises a number of exciting career paths for students. The multi-disciplinary focus of this programme will develop careers in creative and manufacturing industries spanning architecture, product design and development, and urban design.

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The MSc Digital Architecture and Robotic Construction focuses on digital design methods and construction technologies in Architecture, Engineering and Design. It provides a scientific and practical foundation and gives an overview of latest developments in Advanced Modelling, Computational Design and Robotic Construction.

Digital technologies have altered the field of architecture and the architectural profession significantly – from design to production. In this context, the course combines the professional quality of an architectural qualification with the theory and practice behind the latest digital developments in the field.

You'll use computer-aided methods for design and study the construction and fabrication process in-depth. As part of the School of the Built Environment and Architecture, you'll work in a transdisciplinary environment where knowledge is shared. Architecture students are also able to work in our Architecture Design Studio, a dedicated studio space with views across the London landscape.

You'll be able to exploit LSBU's extensive industry connections during the course and your dissertation will be closely linked to practice. You'll be encouraged to work together with partners; an engineering company or another academic School within LSBU.

Visit the Digital Architecture and Robotics lab (DARLAB) website, where you can find more information about the facilities and the latest projects taking place

http://www.dar-lab.net/

Modules

Integrative technologies and robotic manufacturing
Advanced digital design techniques
Design project material behaviour
Design project adaptive systems and structures
Technology for building systems
Design research architectural project
Dissertation

Modules will be assessed by a mix of coursework and examinations.

Teaching and learning

The academic team are qualified experts from all over the world, with experience in working with avant-garde technologies to gain the best results in architecture and design. In addition, all are actively involved in research and consultancy, which enables staff to draw on the latest industry developments in both lectures and practical work. You'll enjoy guest lectures from world experts.

The course makes extensive use of DARLAB (Digital Architectural Robotics lab), a research platform in architectural education that advances experimentation and cross-discipline collaboration among professors, students and industry partners to expand the boundaries of architectural practice. The modules' contents are oriented toward integrated learning assignments. The course is delivered through lectures, seminars, projects and internships.

You'll be supported throughout your final project by your tutors and will have access to a range of e-learning materials.

Currently 50% of our full-time student cohort is from overseas. This allows our students to network across America, India, the Middle-East, Australia and Europe.

Placements

Staff use their professional connections to help students find work experience and job opportunities on graduation. All students will be involved in the construction of a large-scale pavilion in central London.

Professional links

The Digital Architecture and Robotics laboratory (DARLAB) partners with industry to provide solutions to their business problems and challenges that they currently face or expect to arise in the near future. We offer businesses a number of avenues for accessing our research expertise. We also undertake research projects for small and big businesses alike at competitive rates and where speed and confidentially are key requirements.

Partners Include:

• Hiteco: designers and manufacturers of high-tech machine components for machining wood, light alloys, plastic and composite materials.
• QDesign: a team of experts in engineering sciences. Their solutions offer a wide range of robotics plants applications and continuous software development.
• SCM Group: company world leader in the production of woodworking machinery and systems.
• CIMsystem: a leading provider of CAD/CAM technology and technological solutions with a worldwide technical and sales partner network.
• HAL: a Grasshopper plugin for industrial robots programming supporting ABB, KUKA and Universal Robots machines. Allows to simulate, program, control and monitor robotic cells.
• KUKA: pioneer in robotics and automation technology, one of the leading manufacturers of robotic systems worldwide.

Employability

The Master's program opens up various possibilities for professional development. You could go on to work in the area of architecture, building construction, engineering, interior or product design. You could also work as a specialist or consultant in the field of computational design and robotic construction.

The course could also lead on to a PhD or employment in engineering research.

LSBU Employability Services

LSBU is committed to supporting you develop your employability and succeed in getting a job after you have graduated. Your qualification will certainly help, but in a competitive market you also need to work on your employability, and on your career search. Our Employability Service will support you in developing your skills, finding a job, interview techniques, work experience or an internship, and will help you assess what you need to do to get the job you want at the end of your course. LSBU offers a comprehensive Employability Service, with a range of initiatives to complement your studies, including:

• Direct engagement from employers who come in to interview and talk to students
• Job Shop and on-campus recruitment agencies to help your job search
• Mentoring and work shadowing schemes.

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