DE7031 - Research Through Design

What will I learn on this module?

In this module, you will be equipped with a range of skills essential to developing specific spatial, environmental and interior design research processes and methodologies tailored around your specialist field of enquiry. You will learn concepts and principles of research through two knowledge portfolios; Research methods/ principles and contemporary responsible practice supported and informed by academic staff research specialisms. Complimenting these two portfolios are a range of research-orientated topics which include research identification, research methodology, identifying and retrieving appropriate data and sources and understanding how to evaluate and employ a range of research sources within the spatial, environmental and interior disciplines. You will develop a practical knowledge of advanced design research methods and develop advanced critical approaches through the processes and practices of contemporary design. This module runs in tandem with Responsible Design Practice (DE7032/LD7217) (20 Credits) which will underpin critical contextual knowledge and understanding that you will need to apply to the discipline-specific modules that will run in the following teaching blocks.

Through this module, you will learn about two interrelated fields of design knowledge described above, which you will interpret relative to your own practice and in line with your Personal Development Journal (PDJ). You will apply this knowledge in co-creative studio practice and will reflect on your experience to summarise the utility and limitations of the methods employed. You will appreciate the transferability of both research methods and responsible design practice and will be able to apply your knowledge in different contexts and domains.

How will I learn on this module?

In this common module, you will learn about the application of research principles through contemporary spatial design processes and creative influences on design through the School of Design’s extended studio approach (X-Studio). This embraces our physical studios and making workshops as well as our virtual spaces to create a flexible and rich environment that is responsive to our learners’ needs.

You will be introduced to a range of research typologies and methods that are appropriate for investigating the interior and spatial environment. These will support and develop processes that form appropriate research questions and research processes that are flexible and support a viable and sustainable topic of study. This will be supported through a lecture series and seminar programme that will be structured throughout the module and support individual and Team-based working. The individual focus and content of subsequent seminar sessions will be specifically tailored to centre the explicit concerns, projects and strategies of contemporary spatial and interior design and ensure that these are related to wider academic concerns. This will enable you to shape the format and subject of discussion most relevant to your areas of research interest (individually and collectively) facilitating dynamic dialogue and active cross-pollination of experiences, approaches and ideas with this module and the other modules on the course.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported by a team of academic experts in scheduled timetabled lectures and seminars and will have the opportunity to discuss your ideas and methods through project supervision. You will engage in a rich reflective dialogue with tutors (and fellow students) and receive feedback on ongoing work giving you the opportunity to respond directly and as part of your process. You will keep a record of this feedback in order to progress your work to enhance both your skills and intellectual understanding and also to develop your Portfolio and PDJ.



The Masters programme curriculum has been developed to capitalise on the extensive, active and well-defined research emphasis of the School and channel this expertise to support your development in line with your PDJ through a range of expert lectures, postgraduate seminars and (supervised) project supervision delivered on campus and by distance learning. The E-Learning Portal provides important learning resources for both campus-based and distance learning students and many lectures and seminars are recorded through BB Collaborate and Panopto so that students can review their content after the event.

ESAP support is integrated with the programme and aims to develop study skills to support students achievement of module learning outcomes.

Where appropriate, students may also be directed to engage with Study Skills +, or other resources offered through the University Student Support Services such as Dyslexia Support. The Library is open 24 hours a day and E-Learning Portal houses all your module documents including your timetable. These services can be accessed on a range of devices.

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:

1) Demonstrate scholarship in masters level research through a comprehensive contextual design research in the fields of research methods/ principles relevant to contemporary Interior, Spatial and Environmental practice (case studies).

2) Develop your personal interpretation of design theory and develop personal insights relevant to your field of practice.


Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

1) Demonstrate the application of knowledge/ theory/ methods (as described in KU) in the context of your Interior, Spatial and Environmental creative practice.

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

1) Critically review and reflect on the application, utility and limitations of creative thinking, contemporary influences on design and research methods knowledge you have applied and the impact of this knowledge on your practice.

How will I be assessed?

You will prepare an annotated portfolio of design work that shows evidence of contextual design research, applied theory, and contemporary design methods to realise and articulate personal design practice in the spatial field (through literature review, case studies and written commentary 2000w).

1) Research methods and principles

2) Contemporary responsible design practice

3) Evidence of existing (spatial and interior design) theory


Understanding and application of this knowledge including evaluation and possible recommendations is expected. In combination with the work developed with DE7032/LD7217 Responsible Design Practice Research the plan for the Personal and professional Development Journal (PDJ) will be compiled, providing detail for the area of inquiry for the discipline, specific modules, and DE7003/LD7046 Project/Thesis (60 credits).

The module will be marked as Pass/Fail. This module is exempt from the Anonymous Marking Policy. The nature of working closely and directly with the students in workshops makes anonymity unfeasible.

Formative assessment will take place at 2 staged points and through ongoing 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.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The module introduces you to a range of research, typologies and methods that are appropriate to investigate the spatial, environmental and interior contexts. These will support the selection of appropriate research methods and help orientate a focus of special typology. This module will help you develop and select generic, design-orientated and discipline-specific methods that enable insight and appropriate research questions and research processes that are flexible and support a viable and sustainable topic of study. This will be supported through a lecture series and seminar programme that will be structured throughout the module and support individual and team-based working. The individual focus and content of subsequent seminar sessions will be specifically tailored to centre the explicit empathic concerns and project strategies of contemporary spatial design, ensuring that these relate to wider academic concerns. It is anticipated that the methods introduced and selected in this module will be used through the discipline specific modules on each programme and in the final dissertation.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

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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