What will I learn on this module?
This module will enable you to see yourself and your own design expertise in the context of business and society. Through case-study examples, you will understand the different roles for design within systems of both social and commercial value creation.
Through a set team project brief, you will learn to frame and pitch new value propositions (which could be a mix of products, services, systems and experiences) underpinned by a plausible commercial case, to engage relevant stakeholders. This will usually run as a live project with an external partner and forms the core of this module.
You will be introduced to different forms of enterprises’ business models and strategies for design innovation and management as well as considering how an organisation’s values can be aligned with its purpose.
You will consider examples of high-growth businesses to understand what helped them stand apart from their competitors as well as how entrepreneurial approaches such as effectuation can disrupt established markets.
You will understand when and how to create a compelling ‘investable’ proposition, centred on design expertise, by:
Being able to interpret the strategic context – (e.g. in terms of the competitive environment).
Creatively exploring value streams and business models – (e.g. to optimise the opportunity and anticipate risks when introducing something new).
Understanding how to demarcate new propositions using a blend of pace, brand, and/or intellectual property.
Building credible evidence and narrative to support the value of the new proposition.
How will I learn on this module?
You will engage in experiential learning through studio-based activities, which simulate real-world design studios. Applying design thinking principles such as empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing, you will respond to a design brief, usually set in collaboration with an external partner, where broad design principles can be applied (such as: exploring design for inclusion, designing for longevity or for a circular economy). You will be expected to realize your ideas as mock-ups and prototypes to share and get feedback.
The studio provides a lively, creative and collaborative environment with the opportunity to gauge your own progress, learn from each-others’ strengths and even build friendship groups. Tutors will encourage you to interact with your peers in sessions and always support each other through positive feedback.
Timetabled studio sessions will usually include short opening lectures or seminars, to introduce new methods, as well as providing time to get feedback on your developing live-project proposals through 1-to-1 discussion. This regular guidance will help you reflect-on your own design process as you work to clarify and focus your ideas, conceptualize new opportunities, deliver prototypes or finalize your other project deliverables.
By the end of the module, you will be able to illustrate and communicate how design expertise fits within the context of business and society through your project outcomes. You will be asked to explain your proposals as a set of presentation boards, a portfolio of project-evidence, and where appropriate a short visual and verbal presentation to your peers – as might be expected in industry.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Your module tutors will provide specialist project support through the timetabled sessions.
This module begins with a comprehensive briefing that outlines the expected learning outcomes, module requirements, and a detailed schedule.
Where a collaborative live-project brief is being set, experts from the external partner will work with your module tutors to agree a suitable project and any additional support they can offer, which may include any of the following: in-person briefings; feedback and guidance on your developing proposals; site-visits; access to proprietary research, potential end-customers or equipment.
You will have regular weekly sessions in a studio setting to structure your learning experience. In these sessions, you will participate in group discussions to receive feedback from your peers and tutors. Furthermore, you will receive tailored feedback during tutorials before you submit your work, helping you polish and enhance your project work for successful module completion.
During core working hours for the Design School but outside your timetabled sessions, you will have access to a wide range of technician-supported workshop environments. These will support all your making requirements including specialist model-making materials, laser-cutting, 3D-printing, creating sewn soft-products, sensors and electronics, photography and videography.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
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)
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):
Understand the interconnectedness of innovative design and its implementing business strategies, business models and resources for sustainable growth.
Judge how to demarcate new propositions using a blend of place, brand, and/or intellectual property.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities (IPSA):
Apply strategic systems-thinking through business planning tools with an entrepreneurial mindset.
Manage your individual and teamwork responsibilities effectively.
Personal Values Attributes (PVA) (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity):
Evaluate ethical responsibilities in social versus commercial design projects.
How will I be assessed?
This is a Pass/Fail module.
Summative assessment will take place at the end of the set project - through the submission of:
A team presentation of the team’s 4-6 portfolio-ready final project presentation boards in the form of a 15 min final viva. (40% weighted).
An individual presentation of the student’s interpretation of design innovation and management development work applied to proposed design project with final reflections in the form of a 10 min final viva. This submission will address all MLOs. (60% weighted).
The module will be marked as Pass/Fail based on your overall result of the assessments.
This module is exempt from the Anonymous Marking Policy. The nature of working closely and directly with the students in teams makes anonymity unfeasible.
You will benefit from verbal formative feedback during weekly timetabled sessions and at key stages of the design development process.
Formative assessment will take place at 2 staged points and through on-going dialogue in group work, project supervision, assignment discussions and tutorials throughout the course of the module.
Summative feedback will be provided to students on a module assessment sheet against the module learning outcomes.
The submission will be assessed through a team and an individual viva.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
Innovation is driven by effective design! In this module you will explore how you can identify opportunities for innovation through design. You’ll apply whole-system thinking principles to create business models and strategies for better products and services, or businesses that can be both loved-through-time by their customers and are also commercially viable. This will enable you to see yourself and your own design expertise in the context of business and society.
Through a set project brief, you will learn to frame and pitch new value propositions (products, services, systems and experiences). This will usually run as a live, open-innovation project and forms the core of the module. Studio-based learning will provide a lively, creative and collaborative environment, simulating professional practice.
Key areas of study include analysing stakeholders, business-models, systems-thinking and effectively communicating new value-propositions. The approaches are transferrable to a wide range of innovation and enterprise settings – from start-ups to commercial design agencies, management consultancies, or socially-oriented work on pressing global challenges, such as circular economies or fairer societies.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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