Digital Design MA

Modules

Term one

Research Methods (Compulsory)

Teaches you a range of conceptual and practical research skills, such as questionnaire design and interview techniques. As part of this module, you will formulate your major project proposal, specifying your aims, objectives, research methods and expected outcomes. You will also learn how to undertake the literature review for your major project.

Creative Digital Media Design

Looks at the need for critical appraisal of current digital media technologies. You will investigate related creative and management processes and production techniques in a professional context. Alongside live design projects, you will examine advances in technology, project management, digital design method theories, concept development, prototyping and production techniques as well as design and application testing

Creative Design Studio

Explores the multidisciplinary nature of design allowing you to work on multimedia design projects with students from other disciplines. It also provides you with the opportunity to develop your own professional practice skills and conduct design exploration and experimentation related to your Major Project

Term two

Action Research Laboratory

Enables you to develop your major project design work while exploring creative and innovative design and research methods. You will produce a specification report (based on primary research) and a portfolio of investigative design development work that shows an individual creative response

You can then choose two modules from the following:

Managing Business Web Presence

Teaches you how to critically appraise website designs, social media activity and wider networking channels while learning about creative production and management processes. You will learn how best to evaluate the role of website design in business, marketing and the creative industries, while examining advances in web architecture, technology, interface and management.

Business Planning for the Creative Entrepreneur

Develops your business knowledge and planning skills enabling you to identify the potential for a new product or service. You will study the key issues in starting a business and covers topics such as business plans, leadership, investment and risk management.

Museum and Exhibition Design

Examines innovative designs and strategies specifically for museums and exhibitions. It focuses on display, interpretation, conservation, marketing, management and funding, cultural identity, heritage, inclusive design, sustainability, education and audience.

Service Design

Examines the role of design in the service industries. You will pay particular attention to ethical, political, social and ecological concerns, all of which require approaches that focus on design and the designers’ role in maintaining sustainability.

Design for Retail

Covers all aspects of in-store retail design, including product, environment, technology, communication and service. You will also examine brand perception, buyer behaviour and engagement with the retail experience.

Technology for Design

Provides a platform for designers from various fields to explore a range technology and potentially help to advance their knowledge and practice in this area. This module recognises that digital technology and the development of new equipment, materials, artefacts and devices are all growing exponentially

Term three

Major project – Design Outcome and Reflective Report or Design Concept and Dissertation

This module will allow you to complete your Digital Design Major Project. You can either do a detailed design plus a short reflective report or just a design concept but with a significantly longer written dissertation.

Teaching and assessments

Overview

Assessment is primarily through design presentations supported by written work. In term one, you can also take part in the RSA Student Design Awards.

Contact hours

In your first two terms you will normally attend around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week, and be expected to undertake at least 23 hours of independent study each week. Your third term will be pre-dominantly self-directed (including meetings with your supervisor), during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week

Part-time study is normally undertaken on a half-time basis.

Areas of study

Specialisms

The Digital Design MA gives you the opportunity to specialise in the following:

• 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
• 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
• Interior design, including digital display and projection design, intelligent interiors, lighting and furniture design
• Exhibition, museum and installation design, including digital heritage resources, archaeology, interactive kiosk and installation design, virtual museums and exhibitions
• Graphic design, including the design of ebooks, e-learning, interface design, interaction design and digital signage
• Fashion design, including wearable devices, smart clothing and digital fabrics
• Branding and marketing design, including corporate identity design, logo design, social media marketing, digital channel advertising and promotion