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Course Information

UCAS Code

W200

Level of Study

Undergraduate

Mode of Study

3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department

Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria School of Design

Location

City Campus, Northumbria University

City

Newcastle

Start

September 2025

Fees

Fee Information

Modules

Module Information

GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2025 MODERN UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR

Overview

Overview

Digital Design is designed to address the challenges of designing for new and emerging digital technologies, and to prepare you for a career within the creative Digital Industries.

The course will provide you with a strong foundation in industry-standard design tools and practices for developing engaging digital experiences and products across a range of platforms and devices (e.g. web, app, smart devices).

You will experience a range of digital design methods and processes: Visual Communication, Interface Design (UI) User Experience (UX) Data Visualisation, to AI-led Design and Design for Virtual or Mixed Reality.

Studio-based practical activities will foster your development towards a final portfolio of work. Live briefs will be used to enhance your experience, ensure you have a connection to creative industries, and ready you for your future career.

See other courses you may be interested in: Graphic Design

Why choose Northumbria to study Digital Design?

Art & Design at Northumbria is ranked top 15 in the UK (Times Good University Guide, 2025).

Art and Design at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK for research power (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 6 places compared to 2014. 

Design at Northumbria is ranked 4th in the UK (Daily Mail University Guide, 2025).

Course Information

UCAS Code

W200

Level of Study

Undergraduate

Mode of Study

3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department

Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria School of Design

Location

City Campus, Northumbria University

City

Newcastle

Start

September 2025

Fees

Fee Information

Modules

Module Information

GOOD UNIVERSITY GUIDE 2025 MODERN UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR
Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships Apply Now

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

112 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Northumbria University is committed to supporting all individuals to achieve their ambitions. We have a range of schemes and alternative offers to make sure as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to study at our University regardless of personal circumstances or background. To find out more, review our Northumbria Entry Requirement Essential Information page for further details www.northumbria.ac.uk/entryrequirementsinfo

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

A portfolio of creative design work is required. Get advice on preparing your portfolio here: www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/coming-to-northumbria/portfolios-and-auditions

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

For further admissions guidance and requirements, please visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/admissionsguidance Please review this information before submitting your application.

Fees and Funding 2025/26 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,535

* You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift, as decided by the UK Government, up to the maximum amount for fees permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year. To give students an indication of the likely scale of any future increase, the UK government has recently suggested that increases may be linked to RPIX ( Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments)


International Fee in Year 1: £19,350


Please see the main Funding Pages for 25/26 scholarship information.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

During your time on the programme you will incur additional costs for design materials research trips. These are optional not mandatory. Subsidised optional day study trips may incur minimal personal costs e.g. meals, entry to museums (approx.. £10), etc. There may also be optional student-funded national or international study visits, which vary in cost according to destination. Whilst we provide access to computers and software, we would recommend that students have their own laptops – we would suggest getting the best spec you can. Software programmes: Adobe Creative Cloud is provided by the University throughout the programme. It is recommended that you purchase a portable hard drive(s) to back up your digital work (approx. £ 50) as well as a personal SD card for digital cameras (approx. £10).

Modules Overview 2025/26

Modules

As a Digital Design student, you will use creative design briefs and real-world collaborations to explore the principles and practice of designing human-centred digital products, interfaces, objects or environments. Led by subjects experts, the course combines human-centred and critical research methods with visual and interaction design principles to allow you to explore and speculate with new and emerging technologies, and prototype outcomes. A shared module in each year will allow you to expand your field of study in collaboration with students from across different design disciplines. 

Year 1

The first year will provide you with foundational skills for the rest of the course. It will introduce you to the key principles and concepts of digital design practice including:  the principles of visual communication, and user-interface design (UI) ; interaction design and design for screens;  and user-experience design (UX), including methods for developing human-centred design outcomes. You will also be introduced to core principles of coding for building interactive prototypes and be able to investigate an area of specialism of your choosing. 

Year 2

During your second year you will build upon the principles and practice established in year one, and explore more advanced areas of Digital Design practice and theory. This includes: advanced motion and sound design for time-based visual communication; data visualisation methods and practice, and advanced methods unto User Experience design research and practice. This year will also give you the chance to explore the potential applications for new and emerging technologies (e.g. Mixed Reality, AI-informed design and IoT Design). 

Year 3

Your third year gives you the opportunity of live industry experiences or studying abroad. This can be through national and international live or simulated industry projects, placements, and opportunities to explore entrepreneurship, fostering your potential, adaptability, and competitive advantage in the job market. You will document your year and share your experiences with staff and peers. 

Year 4

Your final year gives you an opportunity to develop professional experience, investigate a specific field  of study and develop your final design portfolio tailored towards your career goal. Supported by expert tutors and professionals you will engage in a combination of live collaborative projects set by external clients, and an extended piece of self-directed research and practice into your own specialist field of Digital Design practice, refining your design and professional practice skills. 

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three Year four

Year one

DE4022 -

Interchange 1 – Experimental Processes (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will delve into experimental design processes that are directly applicable to your future role in the ever-changing field of design. The boundaries between established design disciplines are continually shifting due to the ongoing collaborative nature of design projects calling on multiple skill sets, technological advancements, evolving design trends and societal needs.

The main objective is to provide you with the opportunity to explore making practice through different media, by acquire new skills or gaining experience in areas that are unfamiliar to you. For example, different briefs might explore 3D printing, upcycling, narrative storytelling and illustration or coding for designers. You will be encouraged to experiment and will be rewarded for taking creative risks. Throughout this process, you will develop into a more competent and self-assured designer, essential for a professional design career.

More information

XD4007 -

Visual Design Principles (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn and apply the principles of visual design relevant for Digital Design students. These include principles of typography, semiotics, design styles and movements, grid systems, photo composition and manipulation, communication theory, colour theory and information design across different formats, sizes and scales.You will be given the opportunity to put these skills into practice through a design brief.

More information

XD4008 -

Design for Screen: Web Design (Core,20 Credits)

This module will give you a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts, principles, processes, and practices of screen design, with a focus on websites and mobile applications.

The module aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to create user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and functional designs.

Emphasis will be placed on understanding user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. In the process you will learn about adaptive and responsive design principles, user interface and user experience patterns, and the use of design software and tools to create and visualise working prototypes.

In the process of learning about screen design and creating prototypes, you will be introduced to design research and development process than underpins digital design practice. This process will include a complimentary range of user, market, technology, and visual research methods as well as concept generation and development processes such as wireframing.

This design research and development process will be formerly documented in a design process book and will form part of your portfolio submission alongside final prototypes and other design deliverable or artefacts.

More information

XD4009 -

UX Design Principles and Practice (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the fundamental principles and techniques involved in designing effective user experiences (UX). UX is a key component to many design disciplines such as Interaction Design, Experiential Design, Service Design and Information Architecture.

This module will support you to develop the skills and knowledge to practise and embed a human-centred design approach to designing user experiences of digital interactions. It will give you an important grounding in applied methods and practice which will foster an approach to design which is centred around understanding and analysis of user needs, expectations and requirements. This will provide you with a skill set which is transferable to many industries and employment sectors beyond design including technology, healthcare, finance, education, and e-commerce). You will learn to apply research-informed process to understand users’ behaviours, motivations, needs and aspirations. This will enable you to develop research-informed ideas to meet user needs.

You will be introduced to methods and techniques used through the design process that helps you identify user needs and translate them into effective and enjoyable user experience. They include user research, personas, user journeys, storyboards, prototyping, interaction mock-ups and testing.

More information

XD4010 -

Code. Design. Make (Core,20 Credits)

This module introduces basic coding principles for creative practice, focusing on developing interactive environments and artifacts. It covers fundamental concepts and principles of coding for digital making, utilizing environments like P5Js, Processing, Arduino, and AI assistants. You'll learn data input/output, dynamic data application, and user input for web-based visuals and graphics. Additionally, it includes coding for physical interaction using sensors and input devices.

The module recognizes the increasing impact of AI on creative programming, emphasizing AI's role in boosting productivity. It explores how AI tools aid in code writing, facilitating faster development and idea iteration. You'll learn to utilize AI to unlock visual creative potential and apply it to design practice.

By grasping coding principles, you'll gain confidence in designing interactive environments for screen-based or physical interactions and prototype novel interactions, graphics, and experiences. Creative coding within experimental design allows for unique interactive and immersive experiences, such as dynamic branding and interactive typography.

Understanding coding principles enables leveraging AI environments for developing dynamic artifacts and outcomes. This module encourages exploration of creative production methods, pushing traditional digital creative processes to create engaging immersive experiences.

Within the context of experimental design, creative coding provides an important environment for exploring creative methods of production – pushing traditional digital creative processes in order to develop unique interactive and engaging immersive experiences (e.g. dynamic branding, interactive typography or immersive experiences) Having an understanding of the principles of coding can help leverage the potential of AI environments to support the development the creative of new dynamic artefacts and outcomes.

More information

XD4011 -

Personal Research Project 1 (Core,20 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to reflect upon and consolidate what you have learned so far on the programme in order to develop your own identity as a designer by developing a small research-centred project which explores an area or personal interest within the sphere of Digital Design.

You will explore areas of interest related to digital design and reflect on the learning and areas of design that you have encountered so far during the first year of the programme. This module will enable you to learn to situate yourself and your own emerging design practice in the context of digital design landscape through self-initiated projects and creative briefs
You will be supported during this module to begin to design, run, and evaluate a research investigation through a process of design and making. You will learn to work with and alongside your peers in a studio environment, both giving and receiving feedback from group and individual design critiques.

More information

YB5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Design (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year two

DE5021 -

Interchange 2 – Emerging Issues and Practices (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will explore some of the most important emerging design issues and practices that are shaping contemporary design and design research. As designers, we are in a perpetual state of evolution, responding to a world that is constantly in flux, where new challenges and opportunities arise on an almost daily basis.



This module occurs at a critical and timely stage in your design education, where you will delve into the heart of design's developing practice opportunities or most compelling dilemmas. You will learn to identify, analyse, and propose innovative opportunities to these dynamic and often complex situations. You will also learn to react to these challenges by working with others, leveraging your collective skills and knowledge to develop more nuanced design outcomes.



Emerging issues and practices may include a diverse range of topics, from sustainability, responsibility, inclusivity and diversity to technology and innovation, which may in turn have implications for cross-cultural design and global design trends.

More information

XD5007 -

Sound and Motion Principles (Core,20 Credits)

The module encourages you to employ experimental and imaginative approaches to concept, process and final realisation of audio-visual and motion-based projects – skills essential to the creation of digital design and to the creative industries in general. The module also provides you with a greater awareness of the creative context in which to locate your design practice , as well as the time-based media skills that will allow you to work across different mediums in an experimental manner. You will learn to produce work across multiple platforms and formats, including but not limited to sound, video, narrative, music, and motion. You will further develop the ability to successfully meld the concepts and forms of audio, motion and video technology, and you will apply these technological and creative skills in a narrative-driven context.

You will be introduced to a range of cutting-edge audio-visual technologies which are used extensively in the digital design and creative industries. You will be introduced to basic sound editing software, as well as more complex sound design and music applications. You will also be exposed to motion graphics, video editing and projection mapping. You will learn how to integrate all of these technologies to produce a time-based media project.

More information

XD5008 -

Data Visualisation (Core,20 Credits)

The module will introduce you to the methods, tools and procedures to enable you understand and apply theories and practices for creative data visualisation practices. Moving beyond the traditional sphere of pie-charts and bar graphs, the module will present concepts and ideas for the visual or interactive representation which span a range of graphical, physical or interactive experiences and challenge you to develop a practice in which uses data as a source, starting point for creative exploration and visual interpretation.
During this module, you will learn how to apply theory and collect data from a variety of sources and formats - from digital data sets to localised, analogue, data collection activities. You will also be introduced to creative visual methods and tools for representing data in a variety of visual and interactive formats: e.g. data drawings, information graphics, interactive experiences or physical and environmental representations.
The module will enable you to gain confidence with key concepts and tools for collecting, handling, and visualising data to generate data-informed prototypes and artefacts, which explore new ways to inform and engage audiences, present information, tell data stories or to provide new perspectives on familiar subjects.

More information

XD5009 -

UX Research and Design Methods (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will build on your knowledge and skills developed in the level 4 UX Design Principles module, by learning user and context research methods that are integral for ensuring good user experiences when designing for digital interactions and products.

It will support you in developing the skills and knowledge needed to conduct research that embeds human-centred design in your practice.

You will learn advanced, creative and participatory research methods to not only desirable understand potential users and the contexts in which they are to use your digital designs but also to creatively experiment and investigate their use outside of the studio. This will enable you learn and develop best practices for user-centred research, skills which a transferable across a range of industries and employment sectors beyond design.

You will be introduced to methods and techniques for prototype evaluation and piloting. For example techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, heuristic evaluations, ‘Wizard of Oz-ing’, role-playing, think-aloud, contextual observation (ethnography) service design and co-design workshops.

More information

XD5010 -

Emerging Technologies (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will explore the impact of new and emerging digital technology on society, delving into how it shapes and forecasts the evolution of design. The course will introduce a range of topics which may include: virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI) in design, blockchain, internet of things (IoT), Tangible Technologies, and 3D printing technologies.

The module will encourage you to critically engage with technological advancements and to challenge existing paradigms through the development and prototyping speculative outcomes and design fictions.
Contextual theories and research methods will be used to explore the paradigms of new and emerging technological trends and futures, and provide the foundation for speculative design practice through the creation of design prototypes. Practical work in this context may include: the creation of design proposals, fictions or speculative design narratives that explore current trends and offer speculation(s) on future trajectories.
The culmination of this module will be the creation of a comprehensive research report and a corresponding speculative design artifact / prototype.

More information

XD5011 -

Personal Research Project 2 (Core,20 Credits)

This module will build upon the previous modules of your second year of study, through a research based exploration of a complex social issue: either suggested from your tutor or for from a live or competition brief (e.g. RSA, Creative Conscience Awards) You will propose and run a research-though-design project to explore the social challenge and to inform and reflect upon your own emerging identity and a digital designer.

You will use a combination of collaborative activities and self-initiated independent study to explore an issue through a research-led approach to design practice. You will use practical visual, digital, and material design methods and approaches to develop an in-depth study of the issue or topic and will use this as a springboard to developing and establishing your own reflective digital design practice.

More information

YB5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Design (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year three

DE5022 -

Creative Studio 1 (Optional,60 Credits)

Creative Studio 1 is a blended learning module where you will have the opportunity to collaborate and work on one or more live or simulated industry related briefs, international competitions or speculative design scenarios. The module is characterised by an intensive period of collaboration followed by a shorter period of independent reflection and portfolio building.

The different project briefs will be managed by academic staff and will run either independently or collaboratively through teamwork. The projects will be varied and will provide you with the opportunity to hone your specialist skills, professional, enterprise and entrepreneurial capabilities through real-life scenarios – providing an authentic learning experience. You will be encouraged to develop a flexible and imaginative enquiry-based approach to the design projects. You will become an active participant, integrating your design practice with distinguishable practical and intellectual skills whilst recording your process for summative assessment. At the end of the module, you will be given time to reflect, complete and relate this work to your own professional portfolio allowing an opportunity for independent and autonomous study.

This module supports the development of industry specific skills and techniques. It enables you to understand what it means to be a design practitioner build professional ambition, how to work autonomously and how to prepare for future employment.

It is anticipated that all projects will run successfully in a blended delivery mode to allow you to work on campus or at distance as and when required. Note, international students will be expected to meet in person with their tutors at least once per month to order to fulfil their visa requirements.

More information

DE5023 -

Creative Studio 2 (Optional,60 Credits)

Creative Studio 2 is a blended learning module where you will have the opportunity to collaborate and work on one or more live or simulated industry related briefs, international competitions or speculative design scenarios. The module is characterised by an intensive period of collaboration and a shorter period of independent reflection and portfolio building.

The different project briefs will be managed by academic staff and will run either independently or collaboratively through teamwork. The projects will be varied and will provide you with the opportunity to hone your specialist skills, professional, enterprise and entrepreneurial capabilities through real-life scenarios – providing an authentic learning experience. You will be encouraged to develop a flexible and imaginative enquiry-based approach to the design projects. You will become an active participant, integrating your design practice with distinguishable practical and intellectual skills whilst recording your process for summative assessment.

Dependent on the start date of your live or simulated design briefs, you will be given independent time at the beginning or end of the module develop your professional portfolio and complete your assessment tasks.

This module supports the development of industry specific skills and techniques. It enables you to understand what it means to be a design practitioner build professional ambition, how to work autonomously and how to prepare for future employment.

It is anticipated that all projects will run successfully in a blended delivery mode to allow you to work on campus or at distance as and when required. Note, international students will be expected to meet in person with their tutors at least once per month to order to fulfil their visa requirements.

More information

DE5024 -

Design Placement 1 (Optional,60 Credits)

In this module you will have the opportunity to complete either one or several placements working in the creative industries, which will enable you to explore possibilities for your future career within the sector. With the support of your Academic Tutors and the placement support staff you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm your chosen placement(s). This will help you to develop a network and become confident in applying for opportunities within creative industries.

A single placement or series of placements can run continuously or sporadically throughout the placement period as long as a minimum of 15 weeks or 600 hours of design-related placement work and study is achieved. A placement can also seamlessly transfer into the Placement 2 module. This flexible opportunity offers you a potentially broad insight into how the design industry operates in differing market and innovation sectors. Being part of a design agency or in-house team means a greater understanding of design processes, market and product development cycles.

Through this work experience, you potentially gain exposure to design related professions such as brand strategy, marketing, social media content creation, manufacturing processes, as well as developing your own visual and general communication skills. Furthermore, the experience of applying your academic studies in a real work environment gives context and will help you to develop a confident and professional attitude and it will encourage you to become career ready, actively making informed decisions about your future. To consolidate this aim, you will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, and professional experience, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your placement semester encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.

Note, if you intend to continue with ‘Design Placement 2’ in semester 2 but are unable to complete or secure an industrial work placement in advance of the module starting you will have the opportunity to switch to the 'Creative Studio 2' elective which connects to industry live design briefs, competitions and speculative design scenarios that thrive on mirroring real-world design. However, please also remember that the Creative Studio modules are full-time taught modules and therefore attract full tuition fees.

More information

DE5025 -

Design Placement 2 (Optional,60 Credits)

In this module you will have the opportunity to complete either one or several placements working in the creative industries, which will enable you to explore possibilities for your future career within the sector. With the support of your Academic Tutors and the placement support staff you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm your chosen placement(s). This will help you to develop a network and become confident in applying for opportunities within creative industries.



A single placement or series of placements can run continuously or sporadically throughout the placement period as long as a minimum of 15 weeks or 600 hours of design-related placement work and study is achieved. A placement can also seamlessly transfer into the Placement 2 module. This flexible opportunity offers you a potentially broad insight into how the design industry operates in differing market and innovation sectors. Being part of a design agency or in-house team means a greater understanding of design processes, market and product development cycles.



Through this work experience, you potentially gain exposure to design related professions such as brand strategy, marketing, social media content creation, manufacturing processes, as well as developing your own visual and general communication skills. Furthermore, the experience of applying your academic studies in a real work environment gives context and will help you to develop a confident and professional attitude and it will encourage you to become career ready, actively making informed decisions about your future. To consolidate this aim, you will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, and professional experience, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your placement encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.



Note, if you intend to continue with ‘Design Placement 2’ in semester 2 but are unable to complete or secure an industrial work placement in advance of the module starting you will be encouraged to switch to the 'Creative Studio' elective which connects to industry live design briefs, competitions and speculative design scenarios that thrive on mirroring real-world design.

More information

DE5026 -

Design Study Abroad 1 (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to undertake a semester abroad studying at a partner university completing the equivalent to 60 UK credits. This gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. With the support of the Study Abroad team you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm the course of study abroad. This opportunity will allow you to network and become confident in applying for opportunities within partner institutions. Your module credits, performance and attendance will be recorded by the host University via your learning agreement. The module will be assessed by conversion of graded marks from the host University.

Learning outcomes on any year-long modules on which you are unable to attend via the home institution must be met at the host institution, and marks from the host are incorporated into the modules as part of the overall assessment.



You will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your study abroad period encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.

More information

DE5027 -

Design Study Abroad 2 (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to undertake a semester abroad studying at a partner university completing the equivalent to 60 UK credits. This gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. With the support of the Study Abroad team you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm the course of study abroad. This opportunity will allow you to network and become confident in applying for opportunities within partner institutions. Your module credits, performance and attendance will be recorded by the host University via your learning agreement. The module will be assessed by conversion of graded marks from the host University.

Learning outcomes on any year-long modules on which you are unable to attend via the home institution must be met at the host institution, and marks from the host are incorporated into the modules as part of the overall assessment.



You will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your study abroad period encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.

More information

Year four

DE6021 -

Interchange 3 – Contemporary Challenges and Design Futures (Core,20 Credits)

On this module, you will undertake a brief that will either tackle current challenges to designers or explore design’s role in near-future visions of society. The module will challenge, inspire, and propel you into the future as a visionary designer or ‘change maker’ equipped to address some of the pressing issues of our time.



Design challenges and our responses are increasingly complex. Technology has automated many of the simplest design tasks, leaving designers to focus on solving more complex problems. To help tackle them, most designers work in multi-disciplinary teams. Even more individual design specialists such as designer-makers work co-operatively with other craft specialists, manufacturers and business professionals to bring their work to market.



Therefore, this module led by design tutors and other subject specialists enables you to work with peers and collaborators to address contemporary challenges or future opportunities. The choice of briefs may be developed in partnership with professional design teams, set by design competitions or written by your tutors in response to important design research or practice challenges.

More information

XD6006 -

Design and Innovation (Core,20 Credits)

This module is centred around a design collaboration with an external partner (who will act as the ‘client’). The collaborating partner will set a design challenge centred around an specific issue or innovation which reflects a real-world challenge that they face. The brief therefore could be to proposal for a design innovation that the collaborator is considering or it could be to offer design solutions for a live project.
In the process you will gain greater experience of collaborative working through playing a key role in a team, working co-operatively with others and /or co-designing a solution with end users. As result, you will be able to master innovative design thinking methodologies in a real-world design context.

More information

XD6007 -

Research Project & Prototype (Core,40 Credits)

Building upon the foundations of the learning from the first two years of study, this module provides you with the opportunity to self-generate a brief or challenge based around a chosen area of specialisation or theme from across Digital Design and pursue an area of enquiry which may be further expanded on in the in the Final Project module.

You will use design methods and processes (learnt in the previous years) to investigate a chosen theme (to be agreed with the tutors) and from its findings generate a piece of research and a design prototype which addresses your theme: e.g. could potentially enhance and /or extend the boundaries of a technology

The module gives you an opportunity to hone your prior learning, synthesize your skills to create human-centered and / or planet-centred proposals, which not only develop deeper understanding of an area specialization, from across Digital Design , but help you refine your own identity as a Digital Designer.

The outcomes of your investigation into your chosen theme will be communicated via the delivery of a written submission and a mock-up prototype or design artefact. Your written research will be delivered either an Extended Design Document (Pictorial) OR to a Dissertation on an area related to your topic. A mock-up prototype or design artefact will be a visual, tangible manifestation of your potential solution, direction or outcome in response to your topic. These may form the foundation for further development during your final project module (although this is optional) which would give an extended amount of time to refine, develop and enhance the direction you have established during this phase of work.

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XD6008 -

Final Major Project & Exhibition (Core,40 Credits)

This module provides an opportunity for you to address a design issue or theme of your own choice or initiation by research, developing and creating a design artefact or prototype. Our ambition for you and your work is to potentially enhance the existing discipline of digital design and extend the boundaries of currently available digital interaction services, products or experiences.

There are a number of approaches to fulfilling this ambition; these may include, for example developing a novel interaction design which addresses a social or problem or redesigning and improving an existing user experience or interaction, or proposing a critical interaction design for debate.

You can use this module to continue in-depth exploration of the theme that you developed in the Research and Prototype (6002) module, or you can use this module to begin a new area of investigation.

You will be expected to produce a design document that encapsulates the key research findings, iterative design development, testing and personal reflection that have led to the creation of your final design artefact/prototype.

The creation of the design artefact/prototype and supporting design document, underpin the central aims of this module to demonstrate the intellectual achievements, skills and creative techniques, appropriate to the holistic development of a designer.

Assessment will be by portfolio submission of a design document, the demonstration and presentation of a design artefact/working prototype, and supporting design material.

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YB5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Design (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Modules Overview 2026/27

Modules

As a Digital Design student, you will use creative design briefs and real-world collaborations to explore the principles and practice of designing human-centred digital products, interfaces, objects or environments. Led by subjects experts, the course combines human-centred and critical research methods with visual and interaction design principles to allow you to explore and speculate with new and emerging technologies, and prototype outcomes. A shared module in each year will allow you to expand your field of study in collaboration with students from across different design disciplines. 

Year 1

The first year will provide you with foundational skills for the rest of the course. It will introduce you to the key principles and concepts of digital design practice including:  the principles of visual communication, and user-interface design (UI) ; interaction design and design for screens;  and user-experience design (UX), including methods for developing human-centred design outcomes. You will also be introduced to core principles of coding for building interactive prototypes and be able to investigate an area of specialism of your choosing. 

Year 2

During your second year you will build upon the principles and practice established in year one, and explore more advanced areas of Digital Design practice and theory. This includes: advanced motion and sound design for time-based visual communication; data visualisation methods and practice, and advanced methods unto User Experience design research and practice. This year will also give you the chance to explore the potential applications for new and emerging technologies (e.g. Mixed Reality, AI-informed design and IoT Design). 

Year 3

Your third year gives you the opportunity of live industry experiences or studying abroad. This can be through national and international live or simulated industry projects, placements, and opportunities to explore entrepreneurship, fostering your potential, adaptability, and competitive advantage in the job market. You will document your year and share your experiences with staff and peers. 

Year 4

Your final year gives you an opportunity to develop professional experience, investigate a specific field  of study and develop your final design portfolio tailored towards your career goal. Supported by expert tutors and professionals you will engage in a combination of live collaborative projects set by external clients, and an extended piece of self-directed research and practice into your own specialist field of Digital Design practice, refining your design and professional practice skills. 

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Year one Year two Year three Year four

Year one

DE4022 -

Interchange 1 – Experimental Processes (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will delve into experimental design processes that are directly applicable to your future role in the ever-changing field of design. The boundaries between established design disciplines are continually shifting due to the ongoing collaborative nature of design projects calling on multiple skill sets, technological advancements, evolving design trends and societal needs.

The main objective is to provide you with the opportunity to explore making practice through different media, by acquire new skills or gaining experience in areas that are unfamiliar to you. For example, different briefs might explore 3D printing, upcycling, narrative storytelling and illustration or coding for designers. You will be encouraged to experiment and will be rewarded for taking creative risks. Throughout this process, you will develop into a more competent and self-assured designer, essential for a professional design career.

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XD4007 -

Visual Design Principles (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn and apply the principles of visual design relevant for Digital Design students. These include principles of typography, semiotics, design styles and movements, grid systems, photo composition and manipulation, communication theory, colour theory and information design across different formats, sizes and scales.You will be given the opportunity to put these skills into practice through a design brief.

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XD4008 -

Design for Screen: Web Design (Core,20 Credits)

This module will give you a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts, principles, processes, and practices of screen design, with a focus on websites and mobile applications.

The module aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to create user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and functional designs.

Emphasis will be placed on understanding user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. In the process you will learn about adaptive and responsive design principles, user interface and user experience patterns, and the use of design software and tools to create and visualise working prototypes.

In the process of learning about screen design and creating prototypes, you will be introduced to design research and development process than underpins digital design practice. This process will include a complimentary range of user, market, technology, and visual research methods as well as concept generation and development processes such as wireframing.

This design research and development process will be formerly documented in a design process book and will form part of your portfolio submission alongside final prototypes and other design deliverable or artefacts.

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XD4009 -

UX Design Principles and Practice (Core,20 Credits)

You will learn the fundamental principles and techniques involved in designing effective user experiences (UX). UX is a key component to many design disciplines such as Interaction Design, Experiential Design, Service Design and Information Architecture.

This module will support you to develop the skills and knowledge to practise and embed a human-centred design approach to designing user experiences of digital interactions. It will give you an important grounding in applied methods and practice which will foster an approach to design which is centred around understanding and analysis of user needs, expectations and requirements. This will provide you with a skill set which is transferable to many industries and employment sectors beyond design including technology, healthcare, finance, education, and e-commerce). You will learn to apply research-informed process to understand users’ behaviours, motivations, needs and aspirations. This will enable you to develop research-informed ideas to meet user needs.

You will be introduced to methods and techniques used through the design process that helps you identify user needs and translate them into effective and enjoyable user experience. They include user research, personas, user journeys, storyboards, prototyping, interaction mock-ups and testing.

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XD4010 -

Code. Design. Make (Core,20 Credits)

This module introduces basic coding principles for creative practice, focusing on developing interactive environments and artifacts. It covers fundamental concepts and principles of coding for digital making, utilizing environments like P5Js, Processing, Arduino, and AI assistants. You'll learn data input/output, dynamic data application, and user input for web-based visuals and graphics. Additionally, it includes coding for physical interaction using sensors and input devices.

The module recognizes the increasing impact of AI on creative programming, emphasizing AI's role in boosting productivity. It explores how AI tools aid in code writing, facilitating faster development and idea iteration. You'll learn to utilize AI to unlock visual creative potential and apply it to design practice.

By grasping coding principles, you'll gain confidence in designing interactive environments for screen-based or physical interactions and prototype novel interactions, graphics, and experiences. Creative coding within experimental design allows for unique interactive and immersive experiences, such as dynamic branding and interactive typography.

Understanding coding principles enables leveraging AI environments for developing dynamic artifacts and outcomes. This module encourages exploration of creative production methods, pushing traditional digital creative processes to create engaging immersive experiences.

Within the context of experimental design, creative coding provides an important environment for exploring creative methods of production – pushing traditional digital creative processes in order to develop unique interactive and engaging immersive experiences (e.g. dynamic branding, interactive typography or immersive experiences) Having an understanding of the principles of coding can help leverage the potential of AI environments to support the development the creative of new dynamic artefacts and outcomes.

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XD4011 -

Personal Research Project 1 (Core,20 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to reflect upon and consolidate what you have learned so far on the programme in order to develop your own identity as a designer by developing a small research-centred project which explores an area or personal interest within the sphere of Digital Design.

You will explore areas of interest related to digital design and reflect on the learning and areas of design that you have encountered so far during the first year of the programme. This module will enable you to learn to situate yourself and your own emerging design practice in the context of digital design landscape through self-initiated projects and creative briefs
You will be supported during this module to begin to design, run, and evaluate a research investigation through a process of design and making. You will learn to work with and alongside your peers in a studio environment, both giving and receiving feedback from group and individual design critiques.

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YB5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Design (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year two

DE5021 -

Interchange 2 – Emerging Issues and Practices (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will explore some of the most important emerging design issues and practices that are shaping contemporary design and design research. As designers, we are in a perpetual state of evolution, responding to a world that is constantly in flux, where new challenges and opportunities arise on an almost daily basis.



This module occurs at a critical and timely stage in your design education, where you will delve into the heart of design's developing practice opportunities or most compelling dilemmas. You will learn to identify, analyse, and propose innovative opportunities to these dynamic and often complex situations. You will also learn to react to these challenges by working with others, leveraging your collective skills and knowledge to develop more nuanced design outcomes.



Emerging issues and practices may include a diverse range of topics, from sustainability, responsibility, inclusivity and diversity to technology and innovation, which may in turn have implications for cross-cultural design and global design trends.

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XD5007 -

Sound and Motion Principles (Core,20 Credits)

The module encourages you to employ experimental and imaginative approaches to concept, process and final realisation of audio-visual and motion-based projects – skills essential to the creation of digital design and to the creative industries in general. The module also provides you with a greater awareness of the creative context in which to locate your design practice , as well as the time-based media skills that will allow you to work across different mediums in an experimental manner. You will learn to produce work across multiple platforms and formats, including but not limited to sound, video, narrative, music, and motion. You will further develop the ability to successfully meld the concepts and forms of audio, motion and video technology, and you will apply these technological and creative skills in a narrative-driven context.

You will be introduced to a range of cutting-edge audio-visual technologies which are used extensively in the digital design and creative industries. You will be introduced to basic sound editing software, as well as more complex sound design and music applications. You will also be exposed to motion graphics, video editing and projection mapping. You will learn how to integrate all of these technologies to produce a time-based media project.

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XD5008 -

Data Visualisation (Core,20 Credits)

The module will introduce you to the methods, tools and procedures to enable you understand and apply theories and practices for creative data visualisation practices. Moving beyond the traditional sphere of pie-charts and bar graphs, the module will present concepts and ideas for the visual or interactive representation which span a range of graphical, physical or interactive experiences and challenge you to develop a practice in which uses data as a source, starting point for creative exploration and visual interpretation.
During this module, you will learn how to apply theory and collect data from a variety of sources and formats - from digital data sets to localised, analogue, data collection activities. You will also be introduced to creative visual methods and tools for representing data in a variety of visual and interactive formats: e.g. data drawings, information graphics, interactive experiences or physical and environmental representations.
The module will enable you to gain confidence with key concepts and tools for collecting, handling, and visualising data to generate data-informed prototypes and artefacts, which explore new ways to inform and engage audiences, present information, tell data stories or to provide new perspectives on familiar subjects.

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XD5009 -

UX Research and Design Methods (Core,20 Credits)

In this module you will build on your knowledge and skills developed in the level 4 UX Design Principles module, by learning user and context research methods that are integral for ensuring good user experiences when designing for digital interactions and products.

It will support you in developing the skills and knowledge needed to conduct research that embeds human-centred design in your practice.

You will learn advanced, creative and participatory research methods to not only desirable understand potential users and the contexts in which they are to use your digital designs but also to creatively experiment and investigate their use outside of the studio. This will enable you learn and develop best practices for user-centred research, skills which a transferable across a range of industries and employment sectors beyond design.

You will be introduced to methods and techniques for prototype evaluation and piloting. For example techniques such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, heuristic evaluations, ‘Wizard of Oz-ing’, role-playing, think-aloud, contextual observation (ethnography) service design and co-design workshops.

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XD5010 -

Emerging Technologies (Core,20 Credits)

In this module, you will explore the impact of new and emerging digital technology on society, delving into how it shapes and forecasts the evolution of design. The course will introduce a range of topics which may include: virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI) in design, blockchain, internet of things (IoT), Tangible Technologies, and 3D printing technologies.

The module will encourage you to critically engage with technological advancements and to challenge existing paradigms through the development and prototyping speculative outcomes and design fictions.
Contextual theories and research methods will be used to explore the paradigms of new and emerging technological trends and futures, and provide the foundation for speculative design practice through the creation of design prototypes. Practical work in this context may include: the creation of design proposals, fictions or speculative design narratives that explore current trends and offer speculation(s) on future trajectories.
The culmination of this module will be the creation of a comprehensive research report and a corresponding speculative design artifact / prototype.

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XD5011 -

Personal Research Project 2 (Core,20 Credits)

This module will build upon the previous modules of your second year of study, through a research based exploration of a complex social issue: either suggested from your tutor or for from a live or competition brief (e.g. RSA, Creative Conscience Awards) You will propose and run a research-though-design project to explore the social challenge and to inform and reflect upon your own emerging identity and a digital designer.

You will use a combination of collaborative activities and self-initiated independent study to explore an issue through a research-led approach to design practice. You will use practical visual, digital, and material design methods and approaches to develop an in-depth study of the issue or topic and will use this as a springboard to developing and establishing your own reflective digital design practice.

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YB5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Design (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

Year three

DE5022 -

Creative Studio 1 (Optional,60 Credits)

Creative Studio 1 is a blended learning module where you will have the opportunity to collaborate and work on one or more live or simulated industry related briefs, international competitions or speculative design scenarios. The module is characterised by an intensive period of collaboration followed by a shorter period of independent reflection and portfolio building.

The different project briefs will be managed by academic staff and will run either independently or collaboratively through teamwork. The projects will be varied and will provide you with the opportunity to hone your specialist skills, professional, enterprise and entrepreneurial capabilities through real-life scenarios – providing an authentic learning experience. You will be encouraged to develop a flexible and imaginative enquiry-based approach to the design projects. You will become an active participant, integrating your design practice with distinguishable practical and intellectual skills whilst recording your process for summative assessment. At the end of the module, you will be given time to reflect, complete and relate this work to your own professional portfolio allowing an opportunity for independent and autonomous study.

This module supports the development of industry specific skills and techniques. It enables you to understand what it means to be a design practitioner build professional ambition, how to work autonomously and how to prepare for future employment.

It is anticipated that all projects will run successfully in a blended delivery mode to allow you to work on campus or at distance as and when required. Note, international students will be expected to meet in person with their tutors at least once per month to order to fulfil their visa requirements.

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DE5023 -

Creative Studio 2 (Optional,60 Credits)

Creative Studio 2 is a blended learning module where you will have the opportunity to collaborate and work on one or more live or simulated industry related briefs, international competitions or speculative design scenarios. The module is characterised by an intensive period of collaboration and a shorter period of independent reflection and portfolio building.

The different project briefs will be managed by academic staff and will run either independently or collaboratively through teamwork. The projects will be varied and will provide you with the opportunity to hone your specialist skills, professional, enterprise and entrepreneurial capabilities through real-life scenarios – providing an authentic learning experience. You will be encouraged to develop a flexible and imaginative enquiry-based approach to the design projects. You will become an active participant, integrating your design practice with distinguishable practical and intellectual skills whilst recording your process for summative assessment.

Dependent on the start date of your live or simulated design briefs, you will be given independent time at the beginning or end of the module develop your professional portfolio and complete your assessment tasks.

This module supports the development of industry specific skills and techniques. It enables you to understand what it means to be a design practitioner build professional ambition, how to work autonomously and how to prepare for future employment.

It is anticipated that all projects will run successfully in a blended delivery mode to allow you to work on campus or at distance as and when required. Note, international students will be expected to meet in person with their tutors at least once per month to order to fulfil their visa requirements.

More information

DE5024 -

Design Placement 1 (Optional,60 Credits)

In this module you will have the opportunity to complete either one or several placements working in the creative industries, which will enable you to explore possibilities for your future career within the sector. With the support of your Academic Tutors and the placement support staff you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm your chosen placement(s). This will help you to develop a network and become confident in applying for opportunities within creative industries.

A single placement or series of placements can run continuously or sporadically throughout the placement period as long as a minimum of 15 weeks or 600 hours of design-related placement work and study is achieved. A placement can also seamlessly transfer into the Placement 2 module. This flexible opportunity offers you a potentially broad insight into how the design industry operates in differing market and innovation sectors. Being part of a design agency or in-house team means a greater understanding of design processes, market and product development cycles.

Through this work experience, you potentially gain exposure to design related professions such as brand strategy, marketing, social media content creation, manufacturing processes, as well as developing your own visual and general communication skills. Furthermore, the experience of applying your academic studies in a real work environment gives context and will help you to develop a confident and professional attitude and it will encourage you to become career ready, actively making informed decisions about your future. To consolidate this aim, you will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, and professional experience, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your placement semester encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.

Note, if you intend to continue with ‘Design Placement 2’ in semester 2 but are unable to complete or secure an industrial work placement in advance of the module starting you will have the opportunity to switch to the 'Creative Studio 2' elective which connects to industry live design briefs, competitions and speculative design scenarios that thrive on mirroring real-world design. However, please also remember that the Creative Studio modules are full-time taught modules and therefore attract full tuition fees.

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DE5025 -

Design Placement 2 (Optional,60 Credits)

In this module you will have the opportunity to complete either one or several placements working in the creative industries, which will enable you to explore possibilities for your future career within the sector. With the support of your Academic Tutors and the placement support staff you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm your chosen placement(s). This will help you to develop a network and become confident in applying for opportunities within creative industries.



A single placement or series of placements can run continuously or sporadically throughout the placement period as long as a minimum of 15 weeks or 600 hours of design-related placement work and study is achieved. A placement can also seamlessly transfer into the Placement 2 module. This flexible opportunity offers you a potentially broad insight into how the design industry operates in differing market and innovation sectors. Being part of a design agency or in-house team means a greater understanding of design processes, market and product development cycles.



Through this work experience, you potentially gain exposure to design related professions such as brand strategy, marketing, social media content creation, manufacturing processes, as well as developing your own visual and general communication skills. Furthermore, the experience of applying your academic studies in a real work environment gives context and will help you to develop a confident and professional attitude and it will encourage you to become career ready, actively making informed decisions about your future. To consolidate this aim, you will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, and professional experience, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your placement encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.



Note, if you intend to continue with ‘Design Placement 2’ in semester 2 but are unable to complete or secure an industrial work placement in advance of the module starting you will be encouraged to switch to the 'Creative Studio' elective which connects to industry live design briefs, competitions and speculative design scenarios that thrive on mirroring real-world design.

More information

DE5026 -

Design Study Abroad 1 (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to undertake a semester abroad studying at a partner university completing the equivalent to 60 UK credits. This gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. With the support of the Study Abroad team you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm the course of study abroad. This opportunity will allow you to network and become confident in applying for opportunities within partner institutions. Your module credits, performance and attendance will be recorded by the host University via your learning agreement. The module will be assessed by conversion of graded marks from the host University.

Learning outcomes on any year-long modules on which you are unable to attend via the home institution must be met at the host institution, and marks from the host are incorporated into the modules as part of the overall assessment.



You will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your study abroad period encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.

More information

DE5027 -

Design Study Abroad 2 (Optional,60 Credits)

This module will give you the opportunity to undertake a semester abroad studying at a partner university completing the equivalent to 60 UK credits. This gives you access to modules from your discipline taught in a different learning culture and so broadens your overall experience of learning. With the support of the Study Abroad team you will be encouraged to source, apply and confirm the course of study abroad. This opportunity will allow you to network and become confident in applying for opportunities within partner institutions. Your module credits, performance and attendance will be recorded by the host University via your learning agreement. The module will be assessed by conversion of graded marks from the host University.

Learning outcomes on any year-long modules on which you are unable to attend via the home institution must be met at the host institution, and marks from the host are incorporated into the modules as part of the overall assessment.



You will be encouraged to maintain a digital diary of your learning, documenting the new skills and knowledge you acquire during your study abroad period encouraging deep thinking, questioning and you will be asked to critically reflect and contextualise this learning in relation to your own professional practice.

More information

Year four

DE6021 -

Interchange 3 – Contemporary Challenges and Design Futures (Core,20 Credits)

On this module, you will undertake a brief that will either tackle current challenges to designers or explore design’s role in near-future visions of society. The module will challenge, inspire, and propel you into the future as a visionary designer or ‘change maker’ equipped to address some of the pressing issues of our time.



Design challenges and our responses are increasingly complex. Technology has automated many of the simplest design tasks, leaving designers to focus on solving more complex problems. To help tackle them, most designers work in multi-disciplinary teams. Even more individual design specialists such as designer-makers work co-operatively with other craft specialists, manufacturers and business professionals to bring their work to market.



Therefore, this module led by design tutors and other subject specialists enables you to work with peers and collaborators to address contemporary challenges or future opportunities. The choice of briefs may be developed in partnership with professional design teams, set by design competitions or written by your tutors in response to important design research or practice challenges.

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XD6006 -

Design and Innovation (Core,20 Credits)

This module is centred around a design collaboration with an external partner (who will act as the ‘client’). The collaborating partner will set a design challenge centred around an specific issue or innovation which reflects a real-world challenge that they face. The brief therefore could be to proposal for a design innovation that the collaborator is considering or it could be to offer design solutions for a live project.
In the process you will gain greater experience of collaborative working through playing a key role in a team, working co-operatively with others and /or co-designing a solution with end users. As result, you will be able to master innovative design thinking methodologies in a real-world design context.

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XD6007 -

Research Project & Prototype (Core,40 Credits)

Building upon the foundations of the learning from the first two years of study, this module provides you with the opportunity to self-generate a brief or challenge based around a chosen area of specialisation or theme from across Digital Design and pursue an area of enquiry which may be further expanded on in the in the Final Project module.

You will use design methods and processes (learnt in the previous years) to investigate a chosen theme (to be agreed with the tutors) and from its findings generate a piece of research and a design prototype which addresses your theme: e.g. could potentially enhance and /or extend the boundaries of a technology

The module gives you an opportunity to hone your prior learning, synthesize your skills to create human-centered and / or planet-centred proposals, which not only develop deeper understanding of an area specialization, from across Digital Design , but help you refine your own identity as a Digital Designer.

The outcomes of your investigation into your chosen theme will be communicated via the delivery of a written submission and a mock-up prototype or design artefact. Your written research will be delivered either an Extended Design Document (Pictorial) OR to a Dissertation on an area related to your topic. A mock-up prototype or design artefact will be a visual, tangible manifestation of your potential solution, direction or outcome in response to your topic. These may form the foundation for further development during your final project module (although this is optional) which would give an extended amount of time to refine, develop and enhance the direction you have established during this phase of work.

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XD6008 -

Final Major Project & Exhibition (Core,40 Credits)

This module provides an opportunity for you to address a design issue or theme of your own choice or initiation by research, developing and creating a design artefact or prototype. Our ambition for you and your work is to potentially enhance the existing discipline of digital design and extend the boundaries of currently available digital interaction services, products or experiences.

There are a number of approaches to fulfilling this ambition; these may include, for example developing a novel interaction design which addresses a social or problem or redesigning and improving an existing user experience or interaction, or proposing a critical interaction design for debate.

You can use this module to continue in-depth exploration of the theme that you developed in the Research and Prototype (6002) module, or you can use this module to begin a new area of investigation.

You will be expected to produce a design document that encapsulates the key research findings, iterative design development, testing and personal reflection that have led to the creation of your final design artefact/prototype.

The creation of the design artefact/prototype and supporting design document, underpin the central aims of this module to demonstrate the intellectual achievements, skills and creative techniques, appropriate to the holistic development of a designer.

Assessment will be by portfolio submission of a design document, the demonstration and presentation of a design artefact/working prototype, and supporting design material.

More information

YB5001 -

Academic Language Skills for Design (Core – for International and EU students only,0 Credits)

Academic skills when studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This module is designed to support your transition in the use and practice of technical language and subject specific skills around assessments and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to develop your abilities to read and study effectively for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your use and application of language and communications skills to a higher level.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding assignment briefs and exam questions.
• Developing academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.
• Practising ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’
• Planning and structuring academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).
• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.
• Listening skills for lectures.
• Speaking in seminar presentations.
• Presenting your ideas
• Giving discipline-related academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.
• Speed reading techniques.
• Developing self-reflection skills.

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Digital Design BA (Hons)

Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS

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International applicants please apply using the links below

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2025

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northumbria school of Design Arts and Creative Industries

The School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries is a leading centre for supporting and energising creative practice and academic study. Our inter-disciplinary research and experiential education is committed to the betterment of people, place, cultures, and societies. Our programmes are defined by the way we collaborate with communities, industry, and external partners to inform curriculum, your learning and contribute to wider society.


Careers & Employability

Digital Design is a vital growth area of Design Production and Research. The key elements of Digital Design, such as User Experience Design, Co-design, Experiential Design, and AI-enhanced production are among the crucial growth employment sectors in the UK. New digital technologies are societally transformative and will be key for the future of life and work in the UK and internationally.

A BA Digital Design graduate would have potentially a number of possible career pathways from the programme for example:

  • UX and/or UI Designer
  • Visual Communication Designer
  • Interaction Designer
  • Graphic and/or Visual Designer
  • Communications
  • Creative Technologist

These opportunities extend over a number of both public and private-sector industries:

  • Design Agencies
  • Digital Consultancies
  • Service Design
  • Cultural Establishments
  • Exhibition Design
  • Museums/Galleries
  • Digital Innovation
  • Social Enterprises.

There is also further innovation and research, for example:

  • Interactive product design
  • Creative technology
  • Experiential design
  • Postgraduate courses

 

Alumni smiling while wearing red top and white jacket

Carine Chang

UX / UI Product Designer

 Northumbria alumni Danny Owen smiling

Danny Owen

Digital Product Designer

 Image of Northumbria alumni James Phillips smiling

James Phillips

Digital Designer

Student Work

As a Digital Design student, you will work individually and collaboratively to explore and design creatively and critically. Engaging with live briefs and collaborators, you will develop the practical and creative skills necessary to prepare you for a career within the expanding digital design industries.

You will have the chance to develop a broad range of skills related to the digital interfaces, including video, audio, web, animation, virtual reality. All the while, you will be encouraged to consider how digital design can create solutions to real world challenges. For example, previous students have addressed topics such as mental health, education, and the environment. 

 

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Sam Trueman

Wave: Visualising wellness at work.

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Visi Dikari

MicroTrip: Drone-based food delivery.

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Carine Chang

Crossing Borders: AR app exploring mental illness.

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Andy Caine

Customisation Studio: Physical interface for custom trainers.

WATCH
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Danny Owen

Mealbot

WATCH

Teaching Staff

You will be taught by a breadth of internationally leading design practitioners, researchers and educators.

Their expertise includes visual communication, UX/UI design, data visualisation, digital arts, publishing and social innovation. By sharing their design expertise, they will help you shape your own design future through the programme. 

 

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Dr Steve Gibson

Associate Professor

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Prof Joyce Sheau Roei Yee

Professor

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Dr Andrew Richardson

Assistant Professor

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Cally Gatehouse

Assistant Professor

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Dr Stacey Pitsillides

Assistant Professor

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Jamie Steane

Associate Professor

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Dr Angelika Strohmayer

Assistant Professor

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Dr Michael Shorter

Senior Research Fellow

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Facilities

As a BA Digital Design student, you will have shared use of a dedicated design studio. The design studio includes state-of-the art computers and industry standard software. You will also have access to a range of workshops including the photography studio, virtual reality suite and prototyping lab.  

If you have not used specialist equipment and workshops before, you will have the opportunity to be inducted by our expert technical staff. You will also have free access to online tutorials to familiarise yourself with new software.

 

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Your Learning Spaces

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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.

 

Useful Links

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints



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