Design for Change

Entry requirements

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent

We also ask for evidence of your ability to communicate in non-textual forms as well as your motivation to engage in design-led practices which embrace a wide variety of media, materials and techniques. Each portfolio should contain two explicit components:

• a two minute video where you introduce yourself and discuss a potential circumstance for change across one of the three programme themes (social, technical or environmental change). The video should showcase your ability to present complex subject matter supported by appropriate reference materials, which may include objects; images; visualisations; compositions; performance; drawing; writing; etc
• a collection of visual support material (maximum 15 pages) which demonstrates your affinity and aptitude for engaging in creative, design-led, studio based work. This can be existing project work, a portfolio of drawings; sketchbook development; whatever exemplifies your creative approaches to thinking and communicating complex information and ideas.

The portfolio is a requirement which helps us to determine your level of creative competency, to help us understand in which ways you will be able to flourish on our programme. Prior training in art, design or architecture is not required, but a desire and the courage to communicate change through multi-media means is expected. Professional experience equivalent to academic qualifications may be considered.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This exciting new programme is intended to foster a new breed of designer for the 21st century. As the world undergoes massive, accelerated change, communities, cultures and societies are confronted by a variety of complex circumstances and systems, including disruptive technologies, aging populations, economic instability, conflict and displacement, and environmental degradation.

This programme will address the complex, real world challenges these communities face through design-led interventions driven by tactical, critical, strategic and creative approaches. It places an expanded notion of design at the heart of the enterprise of social, technical and environmental change and nurtures an interdisciplinary approach to these complex circumstances.

Our approach starts with understanding designers as researchers, who weave the interstices of traditional design practices with a sense of curiosity regarding uncertainty and instability. This new breed are seeking to understand the diversity of sociocultural perspectives and practices employed by the fragile networks embedded within these significant global challenges.

This programme is ideal if you are looking to broaden your specialist approaches from a range of disciplines with new and appropriate 21st century design skills that can be applied in a variety of intellectual and creative contexts, including sociology, engineering, business, anthropology, geography, and design itself.