Master of Design for Services - Course Outline

The course will

• Equip you with the skills to research, develop, evaluate and communicate design solutions
• Enable you to articulate the particular skills of the designer through observation, visualisation and embodiment of ideas
• Allow you to locate or reposition your existing design practice in a new context

Semester 1

Design Research

20 credit module led by Professor Mike Press

This module provides students with an understanding of how research contributes to design practices. Masterclasses and project work cover provide the skills, knowledge and critical understanding for students to creatively apply relevant research methods to a critical design investigation.  Students learn methods and approaches to communicate research outcomes effectively using a variety of media.

People and Design

20 credit module led by Fraser Bruce.

This module provides students with insights into the relationships between people, technology (in the broadest sense of the word - paper is a technology) and design. Using cultural and design theories as frameworks it explores through hands-on design projects and case studies the ways in which service design practices creatively engage with new trends in society, the ways in which technologies change society, and the ways in which people (users) shape design practices. It will challenge you to reconsider designers and users as the ultimate authors of all new designs, technologies or services.

Strategic Design Thinking

20 credit module led by Professor Tom Inns, Dean of DJCAD

Workshops explore innovation, strategy, design processes, branding, ethics, stakeholdersand creativity resulting in a futures portfolio.

Semester 2

Mindful Design Practice

20 credit module led by Hazel White, Master of Design Course Director.

A programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials support students as they develop their design project for Masters. Students undertaking research interviews and pilot studies with the key stakeholders in their project. Projects can be self-generated or selected from the ‘challenge bank’ – live projects provided by project partners.

Prototyping

20 credit module led by Fraser Bruce

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the tactical and strategic use of prototyping in academic and commercial practices and to be able to differentiate the two in problem finding/solving situations. Students will investigate through research and practice how creative practitioners and researchers can use prototypes and prototyping methods to drive forward innovation and ingenuity.

Design Futures

You will have a choice of one of three 20 credit modules:

MASTERS PLACEMENT: students have previously undertaken research for Deutsche Telekom’s T-labs, Berlin, worked with the Institute of Medical Science and Technology and Design Companies in Scotland and London.

STRATEGIC INFORMATION DESIGN : This module will cover the changing information design landscape and will provide you with insight into the use and application of both traditional visualisation and communication techniques and new and social media.

TEACHING + LEARNING: an opportunity to apply theory and practice through teaching practice at DJCAD under the guidance of the School of Education at the University of Dundee.

Semester 3

Realisation and Communication

In this 60 credit module you will complete your Masters research and design project and disseminate through presentation, web and other appropriate means.