User Centred Design BSc (Hons)

What you'll study

All teaching and learning is completed via a number of modules across two semesters. Modules are covered using a combination of lectures, practical classes, workshops, CAD sessions, computer laboratory sessions, working with tools and machinery in tutorials in groups and one-on-one with academic staff, practical demonstrations, studio sessions and independent study.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

Year 1

Year 1 aims to develop the fundamentals of a user focused approach to design, including designing and making skills, modelling skills including 2D sketching and drawing, 3D physical modelling (e.g. in foam and resistant materials), computer modelling, design research and an understanding of human variability and behaviour.

Semester 1

Understanding Users – Physical Core

Understanding Users – Physical

This module will cover a foundation in human anatomy, physiology, biomechanics and anthropometry relevant to ergonomics and human factors in design.

Semester 2

Understanding Users – Cognitive Core

Understanding Users – Cognitive

This module will give you an overview of human cognition, perception, human error and decision making from the perspective of human factors and ergonomics in design. You will learn the theory alongside how this translates into real-life situations through the use of case studies.

Semester 1 & 2

Design Research and Professional Practice 1 Core

Design Research and Professional Practice 1

This module explores design from an academic perspective. This will include reviewing the changing role of the designer and building knowledge, skills and values inherent in design practice.

Prototyping for Evaluation Core

Prototyping for Evaluation

In this module you will be introduced to product prototyping strategies and the more significant 2D and 3D modelling techniques. You will use these in prototyping and evaluating your designs, as well as in the associated decision making processes needed to plan appropriate prototyping strategies. You will also be looking at engineering drawings and how to communicate design ideas through engineering drawings.

The Environment of Use Core

The Environment of Use

This module will look at the relationship between the user and their wider physical environment. It will also cover how the physical parameters impact on user safety, performance and comfort.

User Centred Design Practice Core

User Centred Design Practice

This module looks at the core concepts relating to user centred design and its place in design practice. It will cover the philosophical approach that user centred design requires and how it can be applied to the development of products, services and systems. It will cover the difference between user centred design, user involvement, participatory design and co-design and show how these approaches complement each other.

Year 1 Design Practice Core

Year 1 Design Practice

This module is taken by all undergraduate students in Year One on all three of the School’s undergraduate courses. The module will give you an understanding of the fundamentals of designing products, the importance of the user and market need, the designer client relationship and the role of the design team. Problem investigation and solving methods are explored along with development of fundamental design skills and presentation methods. You will cover appropriate design modelling/presentation techniques, including: 2D and 3D virtual and physical prototyping, sketching and general assembly drawings. This module will involve classroom and workshop based activities.

Year 2

Year 2 encourages you develop your knowledge and skills in user research, in the evaluation of design ideas, the presentation of those ideas and further explores design in broader context, including service and system design, user experience and design for emotion. Design projects are undertaken alongside an associated lecture course.

Semester 1

Design Research for Practice Core

Design Research for Practice

The aim of this module is to deepen and expand your understanding of, and proficiency in selecting and applying, qualitative data collection, analysis and synthesis techniques for design research; emphasising the relevance of research insights in informing design opportunities.

Designing for Emotion Core

Designing for Emotion

This module will cover ideas and research findings from design and emotion and how they apply to ergonomics aspects of the design of products and services. This will provide a framework of knowledge for use in future professional life. You will be given a basic understanding of themes in design for emotion that are important to the design of products and services and knowledge of the methods that may be used to help them be incorporated into design.

Semester 2

System and Services Design Core

System and Services Design

In this module you will be applying various user centred design methods and tools to the design of complex systems and service. This will be based on a sound understanding of the nature / behaviours of the complex systems and services as well as the human interacting with them.

Semester 1 & 2

Experimental Design Practice Core

Experimental Design Practice

The aim of this module is to develop a further understanding of experimental study design, data collection and analysis requirements in the context of design research, with particular emphasis on how to develop rigorous experimental evidence that can underpin design decision making using quantitative and qualitative methods, and the specific technology that can support the analysis of the data provided by these techniques.

User Centred Design Practice 2 Core

User Centred Design Practice 2

In this module you will learn how to manage a programme of industrial / product design which will involve development of a brief, the production of a proposal, concept generation, design development, prototyping and presentation. You will also be focusing on specification of product form and user interface and explicitly demonstrate the synthesis of design and ergonomics practices. This module expands on your first year skills and provides a good foundation for the Design Practice activity in your final year.

User Experience Design Core

User Experience Design

This module will help you to broaden your experience and skills as a designer in user centred design principles and with screen-based product design and communication.

Virtual Product Evaluation Core

Virtual Product Evaluation

This module will help you to develop your skills in the use of digital evaluation techniques for design practice including human modelling, computer simulation, augmented reality and cardboard VR approaches. You will also develop the skills required to support design development and evaluation with virtual techniques.

Design Communication Core

Design Communication

The aim of this module is for you to: extend and enhance the industrial design modelling, communication and presentation techniques introduced in part A modules: Year 1 Design Practice

Final year

In your final year you will use all of the experience and knowledge you have gained in previous years to complete a number of projects that include live industry projects. During this year you will complete your final project, which is usually displayed at the School’s annual Degree Show in June.

Live Projects Core

Live Projects

The aim of this module is to provide two live design projects with briefs set by leading companies that mimic activity in a design consultancy where initial responses to client briefs need to be generated rapidly.

Legal Aspects of Design Core

Legal Aspects of Design

This module will help you to develop an understanding of the legal framework to product design and equipment provision in workplaces. You will be learning how to design products, services and systems to comply with appropriate legal requirements.

Inclusive Design Core

Inclusive Design

In this module you will learn how about human variability, particularly ageing and disability. You will learn about standards, legislation and designer responsibility to the design of particular products, services or systems and how to apply them. The module also explores the special requirements of inclusive design from the perspective of diverse user groups. You will also look at different approaches to inclusion as well as where bespoke, customised and exclusive design is appropriate.

User Centred Design Practice 3 Core

User Centred Design Practice 3

User Centred Design Practice 3 is an extended project operating across both semesters of the final year. A brief must be agreed with tutors that exemplifies a design process incorporating detailed consideration of how user centred techniques can be applied to verify that the design intent is being satisfied.

The project spans the opportunity stage to detailed design and evaluation. The project must involve the creation of a prototype that is then the focus of a detailed user-testing programme, to be designed by the student. An appropriate proposal must be planned and prepared, ethical issues identified and appropriate procedures followed. Execution of the project is likely to include, data collection from users and other stakeholder and appropriate analysis throughout the design and development.

Advanced Environmental Interaction Optional

Advanced Environmental Interaction

This module focuses on the issues of designing artefacts and systems for complex and extreme physical environments. It particularly looks at products people wear and products for use under extreme conditions.

Design Research Optional

Design Research

The aim of this module is an in-depth study related to design on a subject chosen by the student and approved by staff. It involves setting research questions, reviewing literature, selecting and implementing research methods, collating and presenting results, discussion and conclusions.

Driver and Vehicle Ergonomics Optional

Driver and Vehicle Ergonomics

In this module you will learn about the diverse human factors issues associated with the design and use of road vehicles within a systems context.

Human Factors in Intelligent Systems Optional

Human Factors in Intelligent Systems

This module will cover a broad understanding of the diverse human factors issues associated with systems that have some level of ‘intelligence’ build into them.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation Optional

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

The aims of this module are to present a range of issues on entrepreneurship related to the development of technical and non-technical innovation; to present a range of topics on small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs), as these companies are an important channel for the diffusion of technical and non-technical innovation; and to develop relevant transferable skills.

Product Design and Failure Optional

Product Design and Failure

The aim of this module is to inform you of examples of the practical application of good and bad design on product safety. Using examples of real world design and failure, the quality, effectiveness and safety of products will be explored in order to better understand the needs of users.

Sustainable Design Optional

Sustainable Design

In this module you will gain the knowledge and skills required to develop innovative sustainable design solutions.

Vehicle Safety by Design

Vehicle Safety by Design

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The aim of this module is for you to understand the principles of vehicle crashworthiness design providing you with an opportunity to explore design and its application to vehicle safety