Design (Design for Health)

Placing emphasis on personal research and practice, this course provides a stimulating and supportive environment within which you can develop your interests and ideas at the intersection of design and health. Our academic staff are design specialists, researchers and practitioners with expertise across all facets of design and health who will support and encourage you to expand your creative practice. The course is part of an interdisciplinary Postgraduate design programme which promotes an ethos of social and cultural innovation.

How you learn The initial modules focus on developing your critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods, and making practices. You will also gain knowledge of the diverse range of concepts, approaches, issues and debates related to design for health research and practice and related fields. These modules are taught by staff from the Department of Art & Design and the Lab4Living. Building upon the skills and knowledge gained from the initial modules and supported by key specialist staff, you will embark on an independent practice-based research project in the final module of the programme.

Learning is supported through:

Live projects While there could be opportunities to undertake live, real-world projects embedded into your modules, you're encouraged to seek industrial sponsors or collaborators for individual projects. The long-established link with our Art, Design & Media Research Centre (ADMRC) supports a continuing tradition of graduates from our masters courses working as research assistants and/or continuing their studies to PhD level. As such they’re also able to provide you with expert support throughout your projects.

Field trips There are often opportunities to go on study trips and visits, with free travel and accommodation for all mandatory field trips in the UK. These could include; workshops, design exhibitions or visits to practitioners’ studios and conferences

Networking opportunities You will benefit from being part of a vibrant interdisciplinary post-graduate environment which has extensive links to international networks in the broader design for health community. There is an opportunity to learn from and engage with colleagues working across Industry (e.g. Design Futures our award winning in-house design consultancy, from visiting specialists across a range of hospital and community health provision and from end users) and the broader academic art, design and media research community and at SHU.

Future careers This course prepares you for a career in

Where will I study? You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.