About This Course
The world is changing, you can either allow change to happen to you or you can be a key part of the change. The Applied Innovation Design course will prepare you to take a leading/active role in enabling a change in whatever field you choose, through the experiential application of current theory and commercial practices.
There are many definitions of the word ‘innovation’ and whether you chose to define it as a leap or a hop, innovation is a novel way of realising value. This could be through a new product or service, organisational change, new processes, facilitating creative practice or establishing and leading on strategic direction. The world needs people who are able to approach an ever changing landscape of social, business and sustainability needs, armed with design thinking processes and collaborative approaches, to create real value.
Design thinking skills are eminently transferrable and can be used to help understand and approach a diverse variety of human centred challenges, and have the potential to create significant change. This course will introduce you to the skills and knowledge needed to steer, row and rock the boat in relation to applied innovation activities.
For more information on the Design Centre, click here.
Research Opportunities
The academics involved with this programme have extensive links with design and manufacture companies locally and globally, which are utilised to ensure that modules are relevant for the modern roles in innovation design, and used as a basis for professional development through work placements, and to promote an innovative and commercially focused mindset.
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
The course is designed to challenge students to engage with design at all levels, from understanding its wider role and value in organisations, to applying this understanding alongside creativity and innovation tools in the roles of leader, facilitator and practitioner.
The course consists of two semesters of study, which includes design based projects; academic study; and the option to undertake a research focused industrial placement, leading to a final, stand-alone research project. The final research project can follow three paths, with a focus on commercial delivery, entrepreneurship or commercial consultancy, based on an individual’s career aspirations and area of interest.
Content modules are split between essential core modules, which provide an in-depth understanding of tools and techniques used to apply innovative design thinking, whilst optional modules offer opportunities to pursue specialist areas of interest in more depth and include introductions to key design industry standard software such as Solidworks, Adobe Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as influential design related subjects: Consumer Psychology and Behaviour Change. We strive to provide you with an excellent teaching and learning environment through a diverse range of assessment methods and the use of experiential teaching tools, technology, media and environments.
Core Modules
- Design Thinking - Process and Facilitation
- Design Thinking - Strategy
- Research Methods for Design
- Design Project
- MSc Dissertation (with Research, Artefact & Report, and Strategic Planning routes)
Optional Modules
- Parametric CAD with Advanced Surface Modelling
- CAD Finite Element Analysis for Industry
- Applied Digital Graphics
- Nudge and Behaviour Change
- Consumer Psychology: Theory
- Applied Consumer Psychology
Modules for the current academic year
Module listings are for guide purposes only and are subject to change. Find out what our students are currently studying on the Applied Innovation Design Modules page.
Course content is for guidance purposes only and may be subject to change.
Entry Requirements
Ideally applicants should have a first or a high second class honours degree in a related subject such as Design, Psychology or Business, or equivalent qualifications / experience. Applicants should also have a background or proven interest in design, or design related activity.
For International applicants IELTS: 6.5.
Careers
The Masters in Applied Innovation Design is intended to enhance your career prospects and opportunities, whilst offering the flexibility to adapt the course to your own area or industry of interest, through the selection of projects and assignment focus. Students may choose to study either full or part-time, which may include studying alongside employment in a related role.
Graduates from the course will be able lead on design innovation and change, in commercial contexts; pursue roles as design practitioners, as well as launch entrepreneurial ventures.
