COURSE CURRICULUM

The Design Strategy and Innovation MA equips students with the knowledge and skills to apply design as a strategic tool for innovation and organisational improvement. The program covers key areas such as branding strategy, innovation management, and design research, enabling students to explore the evolving role of brands and design in society and organisations. Through the Branding Strategy Studies module, students develop a creative and strategic approach to branding, examining contemporary concepts and their application in different industries. The Dissertation module allows students to undertake an independent research project, critically evaluating a specialised design management question, applying advanced conceptual tools, and contributing to the field with professional standards of reporting and presentation. Design Innovation Futures explores future forecasting and its implications for design-led management, helping students incorporate emerging trends into their research and practice. The Design Research module develops in-depth research skills, allowing students to investigate, formulate, and evaluate specialist projects while analysing the relationships between design, branding, creativity, and innovation. In Design Innovation Research Project 2, students conduct a detailed evaluation of design management and innovation in organisations, offering practical recommendations for improvement. The Innovation Strategy and Management module identifies key drivers of creativity and innovation, examining the strategic use of design within business models and creative industries, and assessing the role of design and entrepreneurship in start-ups and institutional performance.