XD6006 - Design and Innovation

This is a problem-based learning activity in which you will be expected to create a response to a complex design issue. You will learn through a series of lectures, seminar groups and workshops aimed at helping you analyse the problem, understand users’ need, co-ideate and co-develop innovative design solutions.
This module includes team-based activity so learning with and from your peers is an important part of how you will learn during this module. Team-work will take place using a variety of in-person sessions (in studio design activities) and online collaboration tools (e.g. Miro Board).

Tutor led studio-based classes will support you to learn or improve new ways of researching (e.g.: exploring the design context and understanding user’s needs), conceiving concepts (in team), co-developing ideas and presenting your prototypes and supporting documentation.
As the module is based on a professional collaboration project with an external partner this is also likely to include scheduled, briefings, meetings or interim presentations with the collaborator (either on campus, remotely or at their studio), which will present opportunities to interrogate the brief, and receive feedback from the collaborator.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

LO 1. Conduct critical analysis and research for products and markets to evaluate and propose potential solutions. (KU2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

LO 2Demonstrate independent creative thinking and judgement in the pursuit of innovative solutions to design problems and issues. (IPSA1, ISPA2)

LO 3. Demonstrate reflective and critical self-analysis in the evaluation of personal and/or team progress. (IPSA4)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

LO 4. Demonstrate co-operative or collaborative working to develop, test and communicate an innovative approach to developing design solutions or proposals. (PVA1 PVA3)

This module will be 100% summatively assessed at the end of the module through portfolio submission.

You will be assessed on the submission of the following individual portfolio elements:

1. A Design Process Book: outlining your individual contribution to the project.
2. A Working Prototype or Demonstration: showing the group design outcome.
3. A Written Reflective Summary reflecting on your collaborative practice and including peer evaluation where applicable

Formative feedback will be given throughout the module culminating in a final presentation prior to final portfolio submission.

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In this module you will learn and explore design thinking methodologies and apply them to real-world projects, through collaborative projects. To respond to a live brief with collaborator you (and your team) will harness critical thinking and developing approaches to propose innovative solution to design problems. In particular, this module offers you the opportunity to undertake a collaborative brief with an external partner (which will act as “our client”), allowing you and your team to creatively engage with issues relating to the designer’s widening role in society, culture and technology. This module expects you to work cooperatively and collaboratively, in a co-design situation to deliver a professional standard answers or solutions to complex design problems. These skills will help you to enhance your ability to collaborate and work professionally as much as your ability to deliver a creative, innovative, and well craft design solution.