Aims and Fit of Module

This module aims to help students to evaluate ethical, social, cultural, and business environmental factors in design and take appropriate action. The goal of the module is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and capabilities to act in changing global economic and political conditions and their local impact, and the increased sense of responsibility towards the environment and society. Students can learn and gain experience of how strategic design thinking can help to link design, creativity, innovation and branding, in a way that can both add value and create value to companies and societies. The module uses a variety of approaches that link theory with practice to the subject of branding, design, innovation and management, and equip students to be future design leaders. The course covers a range of topics and a range of readings. The class is taught as a seminar to encourage discussion with accompanying lectures and use of the case-study method (tutorials) and project.

Learning outcomes

A. Investigate and define a societal problem or design opportunity, forecast their demand and identify constraints.

B. Construct and communicate a compelling vision for a design and develop innovative solutions.

C. Understand ethics and social responsibilities of designers and enterprises, make social and ethical evaluations and suggest ethically appropriate actions.

D. Assess the relevance of intellectual properties and industry standards in affecting business growth and development.

E. Apply a case-study approach to analyze, interpret, and make value judgements when facing societal, design business- or ethics-related situations.

F. Apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of design, engineering, branding, marketing and management to support design activities.

Method of teaching and learning

This module is delivered in a combination of lectures, tutorials and project-based learning. Formal lecture sessions will cover fundamental aspects of branding, design strategies and ethics. This module includes tutorials/ workshops/ projects as guided discussions using case-study pedagogy. Students’ understanding of ethics, leadership, strategic thinking, and brand design capabilities are developed through skill development, practice, and reflection.