Interior Design MA

Modules

Block 1: Creative Interior Design Studio

This studio-based module immerses you in the world of higher-level design thinking and problem solving. Through a short and contemporary interior design project, the emphasis will be on how design should be informed by research and the interpretation of the found data or insight. The importance of quality secondary research from a range of appropriate resources will be discussed and practised, to form cohesive understanding of the area of focus and the construction of valuable ‘design insight.’

The principles of sustainability will also be introduced, including design strategies for the circular economy and sustainable resource use; lifecycle analysis of a product in relation to climate change, air, land and water pollution and human health impacts; importance of sustainable materials selection; the UN (United Nations) sustainable development goals; and issues of ethics in production, supply chain transparency and greenwashing.

You will produce a design concept proposal that you can reflect upon for your onward journey to larger scales projects, including your individual ‘Major Design Project.’

Block 2: Research and Design Methodology

In this module you will engage with current design research, professional practices, and advanced scholarship in your discipline. Throughout the module, you will create new hypotheses, form independent judgements in complex and unpredictable design situations, and learn to communicate them appropriately to professional and non-specialist audiences.

You will consider the role of research within a design context, and reflect on your personal attributes, skills, and values as a contemporary researcher. Typical content will include research design; gathering, managing, and analysing data; developing critical and ethical practices; and reporting and presenting research findings.

Block 3: Select one from the following:

• Narrative Spaces

This module will explore how the design of spaces can tell a story. You will consider the interaction between objects, space and stories, in order to better understand complex ideas, messages or emotional connections and empathy. The interpretation of ‘space’ will be stretched beyond physical space and you will also explore how digital platforms can play a significant role in enhancing and immersing people in the built environment. There will be a particular focus on how modern retail environments and progressive museum and exhibition design use a combination of spaces and experiences to convey a story.

You will produce a group design project and presentation as a design team, with flexibility within the design brief to propose a multi-layered design concept proposal.

• Technology for Design

Technological advancement in design and manufacturing techniques are growing exponentially. Designers of all specialisms are curious about how technology can help them create and innovate in order to develop new practice, effect change things and affect the way we live. This module aims to provide a platform for you to explore a range of technologies and help to advance your knowledge and practice in this area.

You will research a range of technologies and work with the staff team to identify an area which you would like to investigate, which could include computer aided design; computer visualisation; virtual prototyping; direct digital manufacturing and the development of new equipment, materials, artefacts and devices. Staff will assist and provide guidance in the partnering of student and technology where possible, internal within the university or external in local industry.

• UX and UI

This module is designed to prepare you for a career in UX/UI design. You will develop the skills to design a user interface that enhances the user experience using tools and techniques used in industry.

The content of the module will include conducting research to devise a UX Strategy and you will develop an understanding of Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Human Interface guidelines and best practice. You will apply UX design principles, tools and techniques to an existing or new design solution incorporating awareness of Inclusive design, data security and privacy. The design concept will be enhanced with usability testing and performance reviews (using data analysis) leading to further design iterations.

Block 4: Strategic Interior Design Proposal

This module builds your individual ‘Major Design Project.’ You will be supported to undertake strategic, rigorous, and valuable primary research, which requires ethical approval before data can be collected.

Taking a business viewpoint, you will need to prove the ‘viability’ in your design proposal. You will establish a marketing strategy for a design, service or experience which will include positioning the value offering against its competitors, defining the target market and proposing a broad corporate strategy to deliver the creative value offering.

You will develop and present a ‘design framework’ and conclusions from your analysis of your research, which will be taken forward to the final module.

Blocks 5 and 6: Select one from the following:

• Major Design Project

In this module you will be supported to demonstrate a systematic and comprehensive understanding of the techniques applicable to your own research and advanced scholarship in their completion of the project you have set yourself in the earlier modules. You will demonstrate your ability to use initiative and ingenuity, make complex decisions and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level.

You will have the choice of either a major focus on design practice supported by a written critical evaluation (practice) or a major focus on the critical evaluation supported by a condensed design practice (academic). This should reflect your chosen path after graduation, should that be into design practice or continuing to an academic path.

• Work-based Project

This module provides the opportunity to develop and demonstrate skills acquired from the course in a practical context - for example working with a design company on the development of a specific innovation which adds value to the company or the wider practice of interior design. You will bring together all aspects of the course ranging from research methodologies to discipline-specific modules. This work-based project will receive supervision from the host organisation and the university and outcomes will be negotiated and may include a mix of a research reports for the host, design concepts, and/or prototypes.

Overview

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, studios and tutorials. Studio culture is a key part of the course, and you will work in a multidisciplinary environment with students across our design community.

There is a varied mix of assessments including individual and group project work, individual and group presentations, report writing, academic poster development, reflective practice and design proposals.

Contact hours

In your first two terms you will normally attend around 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions including lectures, tutorials and workshop and studio sessions each week, and be expected to undertake at least 23 hours of independent study each week.

Your third term will be pre-dominantly self-directed (including meetings with your supervisor), during which you can expect to undertake 35 hours of independent study each week.