Design Degrees Online

This course will equip you for a career in the new product development arena. You’ll underpin your design work with a sound business-orientated foundation. You’ll also develop an understanding of markets, consumers and competitive forces, bridging the gap between design, marketing and production. The course has a strong emphasis on market research and the presentation of data through graphical and multimedia techniques. You’ll advance your traditional design skills to produce effective, market-led design solutions.

What you study

Year 1 focuses on traditional design presentation skills, project management and business awareness. It provides an introduction to principles of product design, ergonomics and key software applications. In Year 2 you will develop your specialist knowledge and skills through selected project briefs. You’ll continue to build professional and project management skills as well as an understanding of materials, technologies and production processes. In Year 3 you negotiate topics of your own choice for the final major project and dissertation, and you are given opportunities to work on live projects and national and international competition briefs.
How you learn

The practice-based elements of all our design courses are taught in a studio environment, supported by a full range of digital resources and workshop facilities. This provides real hands-on experience using equipment and processes which are up to date. In addition to this, independent and student-centred learning are encouraged. Theoretical work is primarily delivered by illustrated lectures and seminars where there is opportunity for collective discussion.
How you are assessed

Design projects are a key feature, where the work produced is the work assessed. The process of assessment is undertaken against carefully-defined criteria and often involves a critique. This process is widely used in the design field and allows for both staff and peer group appraisal. You will also produce related written work such as reports and essays.

This course is concerned with the design, communication and manufacture of a vast array of mass-produced products, from mobile phones to motorbikes. Real-life projects provide stimulating and challenging design briefs. The emphasis is on finding the most appropriate design solutions for both users and manufacturers while considering the context of use. You’ll develop skills in problem solving and assessing human factors, as well as considering form, detail and function, manufacture and assembly, and materials.

What you study

Year 1 focuses on traditional design presentation skills, project management and business awareness. It provides an introduction to principles of product design, ergonomics and key software applications. In Year 2 you will develop your specialist knowledge and skills through selected project briefs. You’ll continue to build professional and project management skills as well as an understanding of materials, technologies and production processes. In Year 3 you negotiate topics of your own choice for the final major project and dissertation, and you are given opportunities to work on live projects and national and international competition briefs.
How you learn

The practice-based elements of all our design courses are taught in a studio environment, supported by a full range of digital resources and workshop facilities. This provides real hands-on experience using equipment and processes which are up to date. In addition to this, independent and student-centred learning are encouraged. Theoretical work is primarily delivered by illustrated lectures and seminars where there is opportunity for collective discussion.
How you are assessed

Design projects are a key feature, where the work produced is the work assessed. The process of assessment is undertaken against carefully-defined criteria and often involves a critique. This process is widely used in the design field and allows for both staff and peer group appraisal. You will also produce related written work such as reports and essays.

This course is for 2009 entry. It is not available for 2010 entry.

This course considers how designers can best develop innovative product ranges based around sustainable and ethical solutions. It is about the importance of socially-responsible design activity. You’ll engage with eco design, design for disassembly, transgenerational design and appropriate technology. The course owes much to a traditional product design programme where skills such as concept development, sketching in two and three dimensions, model-making and computer-aided design feature heavily.

What you study

Year 1 focuses on traditional design presentation skills, project management and business awareness. It provides an introduction to principles of product design, ergonomics and key software applications. In Year 2 you will develop your specialist knowledge and skills through selected project briefs. You’ll continue to build professional and project management skills as well as an understanding of materials, technologies and production processes. In Year 3 you negotiate topics of your own choice for the final major project and dissertation, and you are given opportunities to work on live projects and national and international competition briefs.
How you learn

The practice-based elements of all our design courses are taught in a studio environment, supported by a full range of digital resources and workshop facilities. This provides real hands-on experience using equipment and processes which are up to date. In addition to this, independent and student-centred learning is encouraged. Theoretical work is primarily delivered by illustrated lectures and seminars where there is opportunity for collective discussion.
How you are assessed

Design projects are a key feature, where the work produced is the work assessed. The process of assessment is undertaken against carefully-defined criteria and often involves a critique. This process is widely used in the design field and allows for both staff and peer group appraisal. You will also produce related written work such as reports and essays.

This course crosses the boundaries between designed objects and spaces. It will appeal to you if you want to generate concepts and produce design proposals which reflect current and future trends in the way we live. We cover both traditional and digital techniques for design and making. You’ll analyse case studies which will help you develop your own cutting-edge designs. Projects will enable you to put your design skills into practice and, by the time you graduate, you’ll be well versed in issues of lifestyle and trend prediction.

What you study

Year 1 focuses on traditional design presentation skills, project management and business awareness. It provides an introduction to principles of product design, ergonomics and key software applications. In Year 2 you will develop your specialist knowledge and skills through selected project briefs. You’ll continue to build professional and project management skills as well as an understanding of materials, technologies and production processes. In Year 3 you negotiate topics of your own choice for the final major project and dissertation, and you are given opportunities to work on live projects and national and international competition briefs.

How you learn

The practice-based elements of all our design courses are taught in a studio environment, supported by a full range of digital resources and workshop facilities. This provides real hands-on experience using equipment and processes which are up to date. In addition to this, independent and student-centred learning are encouraged. Theoretical work is primarily delivered by illustrated lectures and seminars where there is opportunity for collective discussion.

How you are assessed

Design projects are a key feature, where the work produced is the work assessed. The process of assessment is undertaken against carefully-defined criteria and often involves a critique. This process is widely used in the design field and allows for both staff and peer group appraisal. You will also produce related written work such as reports and essays.

Using traditional and digital techniques, this course enables you to gain the skills and expertise needed for a career in:
modelmaking within architecture;
product development;
television and film special effects.

You acquire an understanding of materials and processes, whilst developing your own individual style as a designer and maker. You also explore the theory and cultural issues relating to modelmaking contemporary practice. You are encouraged to take a personal and innovative approach to modelmaking and gain an understanding of the interaction between traditional techniques and state of the art digital technologies. You also develop business awareness in modelmaking practice and have the opportunity to gain professional experience through our work placement programme and live projects set by industry.

MBA Postgraduate Course Full Time/ Part Time Flexible Study at Rochester, Kent

This new and exciting course is the first of its kind in the UK to offer an opportunity to develop your skills as a professional manager in the creative industries, and to use creativity as a core specialism of your business awareness and skills. The creative industry is a booming sector and in Britain 2 million people are employed. For more information read this article in The Times that features Francine Norris, former course leader.

Former course leader (Francine Norris) interview in Times newspaper

STUDENTS’ SHOWCASE GALLERY

Creative Industries Management MBA is intended for those who wish to take a strategic role in growing creative businesses and who wish to use creativity as a core business skill. The course focuses on developing professionalism in entrepreneurship, and on the processes and strategies for innovation in the design, product and service industries. The course aims to create expertise for promoting strategies of sustainable growth in this increasingly significant business sector. Learning on the course centres on case studies and participation in ‘live’ projects, drawing strongly on its location within the Thames Gateway and the South East of England.

The aim of the programme is to develop professionals capable of making an immediate and significant contribution to the success of both new and existing organisations and businesses through the application of creative decision-making and strategic management. The programme is aimed at ambitious graduates from both creative disciplines and other backgrounds and who share a common goal to create business value through innovation and design.

Using traditional and digital techniques, this course enables you to gain the skills and expertise needed for a career in:
modelmaking within architecture;
product development;
television and film special effects.

You acquire an understanding of materials and processes, whilst developing your own individual style as a designer and maker. You also explore the theory and cultural issues relating to modelmaking contemporary practice. You are encouraged to take a personal and innovative approach to modelmaking and gain an understanding of the interaction between traditional techniques and state of the art digital technologies. You also develop business awareness in modelmaking practice and have the opportunity to gain professional experience through our work placement programme and live projects set by industry.

Fashion Design FdA

Fashion Design at Sussex Coast College, Hastings, has been designed and developed in partnership with the University of Brighton and employers in the creative industries. You will work with a range of materials, techniques and processes whilst focusing on professional skills. All projects are taught by industry professionals, and subject areas include pattern development, fashion illustration and textiles garment design.

You will have the opportunity to develop your own personal interests in a supportive environment, to place your studies in a cultural context, and to mix theory with practice. Work-related learning and links with employers enable you to develop business awareness and vocational skills.
Areas of study

Comprised of 10 core modules that provide a creative, contemporary and industry-relevant experience, subjects include cultural and critical studies, pattern development, textile exploration for fashion design and illustration.

The course employs a wide range of approaches to teaching and learning which is monitored by tutorials, reviews and assessments. These procedures are designed to support your independent study through critical feedback from staff, whose own practice as artists/designers and employers reflect the diversity of the course.

Work placements have included: designing and constructing garments for the Edinburgh Festival, Madam Butterfly at the Royal Albert Hall, and Pride; Brighton and London-based design and styling agencies; and a Brighton-based knitwear design company. You will be invited to join our annual study visits which have primarily included European cities or New York, and you will also be invited to travel to Paris for Le Premier Vision.

In your final year you will cut, fit and make your own collection for a catwalk presentation for your end of year fashion show.
Syllabus

Year 1
Personal and Professional Development
Cultural and Critical Studies
Pattern Cutting
Garment Construction and Production Techniques
Textile Exploration for Garment Design
Fashion Promotion
Personal project

Year 2
Professional practice
Cultural and Critical Studies
Pattern Development
Computer Applications for Design and Manufacture
Specialist Studio Pathway (Womenswear / Menswear)
Runway presentation
Career and progression opportunities

As a graduate you will be well equipped to set up their own professional design practice or to find employment in theatre design, retail or in design studios. You may also progress your studies via a professional development course or top-up degree (for example, through direct entry application to year 3 of the Fashion with Business Studies MDes at University of Brighton).