Design Management (Top-Up)

BA (Hons) Design Management (Top-Up)

Mode: full-time

Course Content
The course is strong on business ethos, allowing the “designer” or “design team” to engage with the current needs of business. The course promotes good practice in research techniques and understanding of key business strategy models within the context of design management. This allows for the construction of concise business strategies where design is instrumental in creating value, through maximising the chances rather than minimising the risk to business.

Your programme will include

• Project, Written report/Dissertation: This will take the form of a complete design audit of a chosen business, service, or process that combines strategy and research skills to provide a framework for the development of innovative and/or sustainable design.
• Business Enterprise, Culture & Finance: This theme develops specific business knowledge through the development of transferable skills other than just design ethos. The theme also includes a Personal & Professional Development module requiring support from a dedicated business mentor.
• Design as a service: It is not solely a visual designed solution - it can be the design of a service or business structure. This theme addresses at the wider impact of design and the way it imparts on the micro and macro levels within business development and strategy. Within this theme you will study modules relating to sustainable design, market strategy and project management.

Learning Methods
A strong focus on self-learning through the combined use of structured seminars, workshops, analysis of case studies backed through primary and secondary research methods. Topics and scope will be agreed with the business mentor. Tutor support will be given throughout but students will be expected to demonstrate independence in the planning, monitoring and evaluation of the project.

Assessment Methods
Assessments will be based on interim tutorials examining the progress of ongoing audit reports, research methodologies as well as your project and workshop portfolio. These will take place at intervals throughout the course. Final assessment will be through the writing of a complete design audit, design report and detailed business plan – backed with the submission of an article of design taking the form either as a business, service, or product prototype.

Progression Opportunities
Alternately you can progress and continue your studies on a MA Degree course in a related subject area, or to other postgraduate qualifications such as PGCE.

Career Possibilities
Graduates from this course will have opportunities to enter or further develop their careers within a range of occupations within many sectors of business, Industry and commerce, as well as art and design related businesses.