Design (Product) MA

**Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.** <br/><br/>**Course summary**<br/><br/><br/>- Be part of an interdisciplinary design programme which promotes social and cultural innovation.<br/><br/><br/>- Develop your specialist skills and knowledge in a collaborative studio environment.<br/><br/><br/>- Innovate with materials, technology and conceptual thinking.<br/><br/><br/>- Extend existing material practices in response to the needs of our rapidly changing world.<br/><br/><br/>Placing emphasis on personal research, this course gives you the chance to develop your own interests and ideas in a challenging and supportive environment. Our academic staff are design specialists, researchers and practitioners who will support you to expand your practice and develop an independent, autonomous approach.<br/><br/>**How you learn**<br/><br/>All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.<br/><br/>This course is part of the Sheffield Institute of Arts — our creative community within Sheffield Hallam.<br/><br/>The initial modules are taught to all postgraduate design students. Youll focus on gaining a critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods and making practices. In subsequent modules, you will follow your own personal practice, supported by key specialist staff. You are encouraged to consider social and cultural contexts when positioning your creative output. The aim is to develop accessible and marketable products, services, interventions and other forms or propositions.<br/><br/>You learn through<br/><br/><br/>- immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment<br/><br/><br/>- practice-based research<br/><br/><br/>- project work<br/><br/><br/>- individual and group tutorials<br/><br/><br/>- lectures<br/><br/><br/>- seminars<br/><br/><br/>- constructive critical debates<br/><br/><br/>**Live projects**<br/><br/>We embed an understanding of, and dialogue with, the creative industries and the world of professional practice beyond the postgraduate studio. Live projects are embedded into specific modules, and youre encouraged to seek industrial sponsors or collaborators for individual projects. The long-established link with our Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC) supports a continuing tradition of graduates from the Masters courses working as research assistants and/or continuing their studies to PhD.<br/><br/>**Field trips**<br/><br/>There are opportunities to participate in study trips and visits to design conferences and debates.<br/><br/>**Networking opportunities**<br/><br/>You benefit from studying within a cross-disciplinary, vibrant, international, collaborative and supportive postgraduate environment. You can work alongside our Design Futures consultancy, and with researchers from the ADRC. We also have contacts with leading design agencies and organisations, museums and practitioners, and encourage you to work collaboratively with them.<br/><br/>Your Product Design tutors have connections and experience in areas as diverse as medical products, materials development, design thinking, social innovation, furniture and sustainability. <br/><br/>**Future careers**<br/><br/>This course prepares you for a career as a<br/><br/><br/>- independent design practitioner<br/><br/><br/>- designer<br/><br/><br/>- design manager<br/><br/><br/>- maker or manufacturer<br/><br/><br/>- company-employed designer<br/><br/><br/>- postgraduate student at PhD level<br/><br/><br/>The aim of this course is for you to achieve your personal employment ambitions — whether as a design professional in the creative industries, or in related areas such as research, retail, marketing, and education.<br/><br/>Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for international design companies and consultancies and have gained PhD scholarships.