Design Strategy and Innovation MA

The balanced combination of critical examination and rigorous academic research and creativity is a unique characteristic of our Design Strategy and Innovation MA programme at Brunel.

You will do a three-phase programme:

Phase One modules: Taught Element (September - December)

Strategic Design Management

This module explores the effective use of design in a commercial, business and social context. Beginning with the roots, history & development of design management, the 12-week lecture and workshop programme explains where design can be found in companies large and small, its relationships with marketing and other departments, how design is used to deliver business goals, and the importance of measuring design effectiveness. The module:

• discusses the use of new product development, service design and the link between design, branding and innovation
• considers cost and value of design, global versus local, and the impact of e-commerce and digital branding in a future context
• assesses the differences and the inter-dependence of design leadership and design management, with the help of guest speakers and contemporary case studies.

Branding Strategy Studies

We explore how brands are built or rebuilt through design, how brands can be analysed both from a consumer and financial perspective. We also:

• discuss the importance of user experience, internal cultures in off-line and virtual communities
• consider specialist areas such as place branding or luxury fashion brands, how adding value through brand extensions
• investigate the rise of social media, digital, sensory experiences, plus emerging concepts such as brand spirituality or sociability and their impact on society and brands.

Innovation Strategy and Management

This module explores how design could be a catalyst for various types of innovation ranging from new products and services, right through to a new way of running an organisation.

• It enables students to evaluate user needs and market demands, and discusses key factors influencing innovation development, such as digital economy, sustainability, collaborative economy and social responsibility.
• It also investigates emerging practices and processes in the field of design, innovation and management in order to help students develop appropriate strategic directions for innovation and innovation culture.

Design Research

Rigorous research is required for all kinds of strategic planning. This module helps students develop research skills and knowledge, which will prepare them for practical research in organisations/consultancies and academic research if they wish to continue their studies at the doctorate level. The module:

• explores the role and application of design research and its relationship with creative thinking
• introduces a wide range of tools to address and solve problems and develop design opportunities within a realistic commercial and/or social context.
• enables students to formulate appropriate methodologies for design strategy and pragmatic solutions.

Design Innovation Futures: Seminar & Workshop Programme

Design Innovation Research Project 1

Design Innovation Research Project 2

Dissertation

This module provides students opportunities to develop and demonstrate sophisticated and advanced knowledge about the role of strategic design in innovation and/or branding. You are expected to carry out research and present a coherent dissertation on current and challenging issues relevant to design management, branding and/or innovation.

Your work needs to be critical and creative, well written and suitably visual thesis to demonstrate the ability to address a carefully formulated design strategic issue. It will include evidence of a sound rationale, analysis and evaluation, integrated creative thinking related to methods and/or design concepts.

Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel and what you will learn on the course.