University of Southampton

MA in Design Innovation and Technology

Our MA Design Innovation and Technology course runs for 1 year and is split into 2 semesters. You'll study core modules and have the opportunity to choose from optional modules in your second semester.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

You must study the following modules:

• Design Explorations
• Design Futures
• Final Design Project
• Global Contexts and Systems
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• Strategies for Practice and Research

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Experimental Publishing
• Exploring the Visual Language of Display
• Visual Culture

Semester 1 Overview

In your first semester, you'll expand your understanding of design principles, including human-centred and inclusive design approaches. You'll also learn how to use this understanding to drive strategic innovation and creative problem-solving.

The modules you'll cover will examine the economic, socio-political, technological, and environmental ecosystems that shape our world. They'll also encourage critical analysis, contextual awareness, and the ability to apply your knowledge to complex global systems.

Through workshops and collaborative project briefs, you'll be aware of both industry and global design practices. This will ensure your work is impactful at both regional and international scales. Through idea generation, prototyping, and iterative testing, you'll start to refine your work to a professional level.

The critical and analytical methods you learn during this semester will be essential for addressing complex challenges and identifying opportunities for systemic change.

Semester 2 Overview

In Semester 2, you'll creatively explore the role of immersive technologies, such as virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. Throughout this exploration, you'll consider how these technologies shape future products, services and systems. You'll also develop your expertise in a range of visual communication and production methods, including analogue sketching and advanced digital techniques.

Your studies will be practised within cultural, societal, business, and market contexts. Through exploring business models and entrepreneurship, you'll refine your communication skills to effectively present and pitch innovative ideas.

Co-design practices, knowledge exchange and industry insights will be integral to this semester, which will keep your knowledge at the forefront of the sector. During this semester, you'll also have the opportunity to take optional modules to tailor your studies to your individual interests.

Your final design project will be an independent research project that demonstrates your design innovation abilities. You'll apply the experience you've gained to develop an original product or service that anticipates future societal and market needs.

Learning

This MA design innovation course ensures that co-creative learning is embedded across teaching and assessment activities to create a strong collaborative practice. You'll work alongside industry partners and students from diverse backgrounds, which is similar to what you can expect from a professional setting within this sector.

Your learning will be informed by world-leading research in areas such as immersive and hybrid media, communication design, and generative design. You'll learn from leading practitioners as they share their insights and knowledge through keynote lectures. Through workshops and live briefs, you'll have direct exposure to the latest thinking and techniques of this design field.

Learning and teaching methods include:

• collaborations, co-design and co-creation
• lectures, seminars and keynote talks
• live client projects and design challenges
• global networking and knowledge exchange
• independent research and practice
• workshops and demonstrations

This course blends the creative approaches of an art and design school with those of a research-intensive university. For an inclusive and accessible learning experience, you'll have diverse teaching methods that support your progression.

Assessment

Throughout this course, you'll have formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments are not marked, but they're a good opportunity for you to receive feedback aimed at improving assignment work. You'll receive this feedback through verbal and written comments, advice from peers and tutors, as well as your own self-evaluation.

Summative assessments are graded and involve a range of projects and assignments. Through these assessments, you'll demonstrate your knowledge and critical understanding of your subjects.

Formative and summative assessment methods include:

• design research and development
• evidence of process and technical skill development
• high-fidelity and low-fidelity prototypes
• individual and team presentations
• portfolios
• reflective journals
• written articles and essays