Design

Evening taught sessions, occasional daytime sessions from professional speakers/researchers and access to specialist resources with technical support on specified days.

At enrolment each student must supply an outline of their research/study interest. The 'proposal' should rationalise the thinking which underpins the personal choice to maintain a broad, trans-disciplinary approach to design. This informs the allocation of an appropriate personal tutor(s) who will work with the student throughout their course.

The course is designed and carefully structured to enable all Design students to interact and study the same modules. This principle of cross-disciplinary study and contemporary debate is further extended into both our staffing and our resources planning. Full-time students are provided with a shared studio space which distinctively sees designers from very different disciplines working together. The taught modules provide a series of academic challenges and introduce higher level issues which are common to all contemporary designers. Although the teaching has direct value to students in all of the pathways, students must address the assignment tasks - various in form and mainly resulting in practical outcomes - through the tools and concepts which are most appropriate to their chosen pathway. In this way, from day one of the course a student who elects the Design pathway can work continuously and progressively towards the development of a final substantial body of images for their Masters award.

The first three compulsory modules introduce advanced content in theoretical and cultural contexts, issues, ethics and communication in the digital era and research in the arts. Students can test their ideas and extend their skills in design against this shared semester one content.

The second semester offers one 40 credit compulsory module which requires students to interrogate an aspect of contemporary design. When combined with the Masters project/dissertation it provides the pathway distinctiveness and award sub-title. Also in this semester students make a choice between exploring how their individual approach to design can be directed to the development of social/commercial enterprise or they can undertake a one-off study to enhance their independent research skills. Either choice may be explored within an employment or applied setting.

In the final Masters module a substantial self-directed/defined design project must be completed. The content and the form of the work is governed by the proposal submitted and should aim to build on the personal concepts, the application of tools/skills and the professional contexts tested in the earlier modules. The aim is to focus the creative and professional/academic direction of the students, enabling them to either enter the design professions or engage in doctoral study.

• Emphasis on design problem-solving tested against social, ethical and environmental concerns as well as placing work within a theoretical and historical context
• Open cross-disciplinary forums where students can present and debate their work and research with peers
• Options to approach study through inter/cross disciplinary practices or focus on one area
• Students encouraged to support their coursework through participation in industry
• Research-active staff who regularly exhibit and publish their work nationally and internationally
• Benefits of being part of a significant postgraduate research community including access to exhibitions and symposia

Postgraduate Certificate

• ARTM002 Research in The Arts, 20 credits
• ARTM035 Design Issues and Visual Communication, 20 credits
• ARTM037 Cultural and Theoretical Contexts in Design, 20 credits

Postgraduate Diploma

• ARTM036* Contemporary Design Practices, 40 credits
*this module, when combined with the 60 credit dissertation/project module, defines the specialist pathway choice for the student

• ARTM027 Independent Study in the Arts and Design, 20 credits

or

• ARTM004 Creative Practice and Enterprise 20 credits

Master of Arts (MA)

• ARTM003 Dissertation/Project

Links with external organisations

The School has an established range of professional design contacts. Through consultation students may approach organisations directly with their research projects. This allows students to test the dynamics of their ideas against external expertise and knowledge within a field appropriate to their studies. Where this is the case it will help students to:

• Develop their understanding of the culture and practice of the working environment
• Build their confidence and develop important transferable skills
• Place their Major dissertation/project themes and research in a theoretical and professional context
• Improve their opportunities of career and academic development

The assessment outcomes should demonstrate the achievement level through a wide variety of explicit forms (for example essays/images/artefacts) but also implicitly through appropriate developmental and documentation information (for example sketchbooks/critical diaries/notebooks). Assessment is structured to offer feedback and indicate academic level against criteria, but also advises on the integration between ideas, their intention and development and the means by which they are presented.

For those undertaking the course as full-time students, dedicated studio facilities will be provided. Access to specialist workshops is negotiated as appropriate. Specialist facilities in: photography and printmaking (traditional and digital); 3D workshops; digital suites; laser cutting; sewing (textiles and leather); machine workshops and finishing rooms.

Practice-based study supported by theoretical study.

Employment in a design field, self-employment or consultancy. Students should be able to demonstrate an imaginative approach to design problem-solving and be able to draw on a range of interconnecting ideas and processes. Whilst it is likely that first-hand knowledge of particular specialisms might be limited, the student should be able to see solutions in an integrated and interconnected way.

Work experience will be determined by individual ambition and will be the result of tutorial negotiation. There are extensive opportunities for a variety of links with regional design companies, archives and industries.

Why the School of The Arts at The University of Northampton?

A well established School of The Arts with a campus base which is home to a wide range of creative subjects, excellent resources and a growing range of postgraduate courses and PhD students, who along with research-active staff, offer a positive and creative environment all within one hour from central London, Birmingham, Oxford and Cambridge.