About this Class 📌

The module will be delivered through online asynchronous lectures, seminars and workshops (in-person – subject to Public Health England Safety Guidelines).

Lectures will introduce students to the core concepts in design, innovation and product development. These will be delivered remotely and cover all themes listed in the curriculum.

Each week will have some defined preparation task such as reading, watching a film, listening to a radio programme/podcast on related topics.

Seminars and workshops will take a number of forms. Where possible, students will be confronted by familiar artefacts and services such as generations of mobile phones; vacuum cleaners; lighting; office furniture; logotypes/graphics; buildings (architects, movements, etc.); transportation (vehicles and modes of operation); computers/video games; music; clothing (trainers and sports equipment), etc.

📖 The key tasks in workshops are to:

Trace through product and service design and innovation concepts such as dominant design; design-driven innovation; technology bundling/ecology; discontinuous innovation; open source development; open innovation; patenting; copyrighting; capability development; competences; user-led innovation, design as problem-solving, post-modern design; etc.
Have tutor-led discussions and activities promoting links being made to core readings for further study and use in assignments.
Facilitate students’ planning and execution of group assignment – designing and making their artefact.

⛺️ Field trips

Subject to safety protocols, students are also encouraged to visit galleries and museums. The written assessment is based on a visit to at least one museum in person or remotely. *Please note, this is 100% based on safety protocols as per the UK government.

📎 Expectations

This module introduces students to the central concepts, theories and tools of innovation and design in products and services. However, the module requires high levels of engagement from students in through exposure to particular products and services and to reason and evaluate – often backwards – the innovation and design principles that brought them about and led to their change over time (in form, accessibility, functionality). This enables students to be critical of approaches and assess whether design and innovation has served the products and services well, or whether they are sub-optimal.

Further, the module engenders in students a sense of discovery in embracing many different sources; from museums to other excellent audio and visual sources. Finally, through the assignments, students are empowered to learn new skills relating to digital media for presenting ideas and arguments in compelling and graphic ways.

🔖 About this Class

Class Schedule

Media & Materials