Open University

Certificate of Higher Education in Design and Innovation

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this Certificate, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

• Understand and identify design thinking with design processes
• Know about and appreciate, the global context of design and designing
• The fundamental characteristics of design thinking and be aware of the application of design thinking to a wide range of contexts

Cognitive skills

On completion of this Certificate, you will be able to:

• Able to map the personal design process
• Appraise and evaluate design solutions in their context of use and production
• Investigate and think creatively about design problems and opportunities and initiate an attitude of playfulness to aid design thinking
• Explore, evaluate and critique the design thinking of others
• Appreciate the ethical significance of design decisions

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this Certificate, you will be able to:

• Take a creative and informed approach to design
• Use prototyping techniques to helping and communicate ideas
• Able to engage in debate around problems and solutions
• Understand how to produce a portfolio of work

Key skills

On completion of this Certificate, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills:

• Develop visual literacy and articulacy to explain design decisions through the selection and use of different forms of representation to explore and communicate design ideas at different stages of the design process
• Recognise and use the expertise of others in a design process
• Be aware of how you learn and begin to develop as an independent learner
• Use computing tools and online environments to aid design thinking

This certificate of higher education has one stage, comprising 120 credits.

• You’ll study one 60-credit design module and 60 credits of option modules in a complementary subject.
• We’ve created themes to guide you and help you choose your 60 credits of option modules.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll study the following:

• Design thinking: creativity for the 21st century (U101)

You'll choose 60 credits from:

• An introduction to business and management (B100)
• Cultures (A112)
• Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)
• Encountering psychology in context (D120)
• Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)
• Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)
• Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)
• Global challenges: social science in action (D113)
• Introducing health and social care (K102)
• Introducing the social sciences (DD102)
• Introduction to sport and fitness (E117)
• Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)
• Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)
• Revolutions (A113)
• Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)
• Young children's play and creativity (E110)

Themes

We’ve created themes to help you choose your 60 credits of options modules.

• Culture and aesthetics
• Energy/Engineering
• Environment
• Health and wellbeing
• Interfaces and interaction
• Management
• Society
• Sustainability

Culture and aesthetics

You'll choose one from:

• Cultures (A112)
• Discovering the arts and humanities (A111)
• Revolutions (A113)

Energy/Engineering

You'll study both of the following:

• Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)
• Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193)

Environment

You'll study the following:

• Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)

Health and wellbeing

You'll choose one from:

• Encountering psychology in context (D120)
• Introducing health and social care (K102)
• Introduction to sport and fitness (E117)
• Science and health: an evidence-based approach (SDK100)
• Young children's play and creativity (E110)

Interfaces and interaction

You'll study both of the following:

• Introduction to computing and information technology 1 (TM111)
• Introduction to computing and information technology 2 (TM112)

Management

You'll study the following:

• An introduction to business and management (B100)

Society

You'll study the following:

• Global challenges: social science in action (D113)

Sustainability

You'll study the following:

• Environment: journeys through a changing world (U116)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

This certificate aims to broaden your design thinking around your particular interests. You’ll develop your understanding of the processes, principles and issues involved in designing and producing new products, and the issues and challenges associated with designing. You’ll gain basic skills in applying and managing design processes and generate design ideas, concepts, proposals or solutions in response to set briefs.

Career relevance

The skills gained through this certificate are relevant to a wide range of careers. The ability to use design thinking in a range of contexts is particularly valued by employers.

In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.