DI302-15 The Business of Design
Introductory description
This module explores how designers, in a variety of contexts, act entrepreneurially to negotiate a range of economic, social, and environmental factors that impact their practice. Students will explore, and compare, how different design businesses operate, the skills, mindset, and capabilities of those that lead them, the challenges that both leaders and businesses face, and how they address them. Students will then reflect on this knowledge, and how it can inform their own future careers, to formulate a plan for their own personal and professional development.
Module aims
The aim of the module is to equip students with an understanding of how design businesses operate across contexts, and how designers, and design teams, operate in these structures. Through an exploration of these ideas, and reflections on their own skills, the module will support students to transition from academic study to the wider world of work in a variety of roles.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
The syllabus will include:
- Business models for design businesses
- Case studies of design businesses & their operation
- Case studies exploring business owners, their mindset, skills, and capabilities
- Specific content exploring mindsets and capabilities in the context of entrepreneurial design ventures.
- Skills including finance, tax, project management etc.
- Reflective practice
- Personal development planning
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Explore how design businesses operate in a variety of contexts, and why they do so.
- Analyse the skills, mindset, and capabilities of the people, or teams, that lead these businesses.
- Identify the personal and professional challenges that leaders and businesses face.
- Reflect on this knowledge and create a plan for their own personal and professional development.
Indicative reading list
Sinclair, D. (2019) Lead Designer's Handbook: Managing Design and the Design Team in the Digital Age
Best, K. (2015) Design Management: Managing Design Strategy, Process and Implementation
Von Stamm, B. (2008) Managing Innovation, Design and Creativity
Research element
Research is expected to infuse the entire module as students will be finding their own examples of entrepreneurship in design.
Interdisciplinary
The module draws on context from both business and design disciplines.
International
The module will examine design business from an international perspective and draw on examples of businesses from across the world.
Subject specific skills
Business models and business modelling, business finance, project management.
Transferable skills
Entrepreneurial skills, mindset and capabilities, personal taxation, reflective practice, personal development planning. Research methods and ethical approval processes.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%) |
| Tutorials | 2 sessions of 30 minutes (1%) |
| Private study | 21 hours (14%) |
| Assessment | 110 hours (73%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
To do reading/research for sessions each week.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 40% | 40 hours | Yes (extension) |
|
Students will submit a report comparing how 2 design businesses operate that has been researched through secondary and primary research. |
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| Professional Development Piece | 60% | 70 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Reflecting on the module, students will need to produce a submission that explores their own personal development and future career aims. This should include a portfolio but additional materials such as a business plan, branding, poster, multimedia piece, can be negotiated with their tutor. |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback can be provided in written and audio formats.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 3 of UIPA-L8A1 Undergraduate Global Sustainable Development
- Year 4 of UIPA-L8A2 Undergraduate Global Sustainable Development (with Intercalated Year)
-
UVCA-LA99 Undergraduate Liberal Arts
- Year 3 of LA99 Liberal Arts
- Year 3 of LA92 Liberal Arts with Classics
- Year 3 of LA73 Liberal Arts with Design Studies
- Year 3 of LA83 Liberal Arts with Economics
- Year 3 of LA82 Liberal Arts with Education
- Year 3 of LA95 Liberal Arts with English
- Year 3 of LA81 Liberal Arts with Film and Television Studies
- Year 3 of LA80 Liberal Arts with Global Sustainable Development
- Year 3 of LA93 Liberal Arts with Global Sustainable Development
- Year 3 of LA97 Liberal Arts with History
- Year 3 of LA91 Liberal Arts with Life Sciences
- Year 3 of LA75 Liberal Arts with Modern Lanaguages and Cultures
- Year 3 of LA96 Liberal Arts with Philosophy
- Year 3 of LA94 Liberal Arts with Theatre and Performance Studies
-
UVCA-LA98 Undergraduate Liberal Arts with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA85 Liberal Arts with Classics with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA72 Liberal Arts with Design Studies with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA79 Liberal Arts with Economics with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA78 Liberal Arts with Education with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA88 Liberal Arts with English with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA77 Liberal Arts with Film and Television Studies with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA76 Liberal Arts with Global Sustainable Development with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA86 Liberal Arts with Global Sustainable Development with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA90 Liberal Arts with History with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA98 Liberal Arts with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA84 Liberal Arts with Life Sciences with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA74 Liberal Arts with Modern Lanaguages and Cultures with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA89 Liberal Arts with Philosophy with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of LA87 Liberal Arts with Theatre and Performance Studies with Intercalated Year