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In this module, you will increase your knowledge and understanding of design, the design industry, and the evolving role and responsibilities of the designer in society. By examining key texts and case studies you will explore the history and theory of design’s complex relationships with society, ethics, politics and economics, and how this relationship shapes and influences contemporary design practise. You will deepen your skills in critical and reflective thinking as you consider, discuss, debate and critically analyse these issues. Working individually and in groups, you will test and explore theoretical ideas about design practise in the real world by putting ideas into action through design projects. There will be regular opportunities in class to present and reflect on your progress and receive constructive feedback from your peers and tutors. You will demonstrate the knowledge you have gained throughout the module by producing a portfolio of work which presents your critical reflections on the relationships between design history, theory, criticism and practice in context.

LO1: Develop knowledge and understanding of key concepts in design studies
LO2: Explore key relationships between design history, theory, criticism and practice
LO3: Make observations exploring design’s relationships with key social, political and economic issues
LO4: Express opinions and construct arguments critiquing design activity in context
LO5: Critically contextualise and reflect on personal design activity