Design Innovation and Management

With a flexible curriculum to accommodate your creative ambitions, this course will prepare you to take a critical position to forge a successful career in the globalised creative world. The key business skills that you will gain make this course the ideal platform for creative entrepreneurs to launch their own design businesses and consultancies, or for those who hope to take up senior roles in design strategy or brand management. The course is designed for students with a good working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite applications, such as Photoshop, Acrobat, and InDesign, and will develop these technical skills to an advanced level.

You will select a specialist area of study from diverse options, ranging from retail, museum and exhibition, and product design, to interior, fashion, visual communication, and design innovation. Learn to devise creative solutions to complex issues surrounding sustainability and explore the role of design and innovation as a driver for change. Your learning will culminate in either a work-based project or individual major project (either creative practice based, or research focused), drawing on the professional expertise and specialist knowledge of our academics.

Throughout the course we will empower you to experiment boldly and support you to take risks. You will be encouraged to challenge conventions and develop innovative approaches to tackling contemporary design challenges, with the cutting-edge facilities for you to refine your talents and realise your creative visions.

Key features

You can be awarded an MA or MSc depending on your route through your studies and final Major Project. You can also exit the course with a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate award depending on the credits you have successfully achieved.

Specialise in varied design areas, from retail, museum and exhibition, and product design, to interior, fashion, visual communication, and design innovation.

You will develop the design skills and innovative approach required to become a successful and impactful entrepreneur in the creative industries.

You can tailor your course to develop your personal interests and support your career aspirations or establish the design concept for your own business.

Gain expert knowledge from visiting guest lecturers and work on real-world live projects set by professionals from industry, museum, charity and arts organisations.

Join a community that is working together to co-design new ways of thinking to redefine the future of creative practice.

With an optional year-long work placement you can gain valuable experience to further enhance your practical and professional skills.

Our award-winning Vijay Patel building has been designed to provide the space and facilities where all of our art and design students can develop their ideas and flourish.

The School of Design’s close-knit community of postgraduate students and staff creates a supportive learning environment for design students from around the world.