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What will I learn on this module?
Few forms of creative, intellectual and commercial activity reach into so many areas of public and private life as design. Exploring the history and theory of design, we will consider how design disciplines act and interact in the world and how design is shaped by the cultural contexts in which it is produced and consumed. This module will provide you with the tools to help situate your studio practice in its social, cultural and economic context. It will develop your knowledge of design history in order to expand your visual vocabulary and help you understand how design developed into the global phenomenon it is today. The lecture programme will examine the history of design through a chronological survey of key styles and movements from c.1800 to the present. Crucially, the module will also encourage you to reflect on the wider social, cultural and economic significance of design. Underpinning the historical survey, sessions will examine and make links to critical issues in contemporary life such as consumerism, globalisation, sustainability, post-colonialism and gender relations. What, for example, can historical figures such as William Morris contribute to debates about designers’ social and environmental responsibilities in the 21st century? Additionally, the module will help you develop your skills in research, visual and textual analysis, critical thinking, and written and verbal communication, all of which are crucial for academic and professional success.
How will I learn on this module?
The module is taught through illustrated lectures, seminars and workshops. Your participation in all aspects of the module is expected and will help you to develop and communicate your ideas. Each session will involve presentations by the tutor to establish key terms of reference, followed by group discussion and exercises around the issues raised. Interactive workshops will help you to develop study skills relevant to design practice, including research, visual analysis, presentation and teamwork. Study skills seminars will help you develop your skills in academic research and writing, critical thinking and textual analysis.
In addition to learning during contact hours with module tutors, students will be expected to undertake both directed and independent learning. Directed learning generally will take the form of preparation for seminars (including reading), either individually or in small groups. The preparatory work you will do for the seminars will help you to complete your assignments successfully. Independent learning will take the form of further reading and investigation of sources and the consolidation of lecture and seminar materials. You will be supported in the skills of academic writing through the use of formative and summative feedback.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Academic support will be provided through lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and use of the eLearning Portal (Blackboard). Seminars and tutorials will give you the opportunity to discuss the assessment criteria, both at the planning stage and as you engage with tasks. Tutorials will offer you support with any specific issues or concerns. Sample student work will be provided via the eLearning Portal to guide you in the preparation of your assignments. Study skills sessions will ensure good practice for everyone following the module. Formative feedback will be ongoing within group learning sessions. Written feedback will be provided after you have submitted your assignments.
Tutor Guided Independent Learning/Student Independent Learning will help you start to make constructive use of feedback received in class, and to take responsibility to direct your own learning needs. Such learning may include a range of activities such as contextual reading or studying and analysing artefacts.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
? Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of historical and contemporary design issues and contexts through enquiry and presentation.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
? Source, review and discuss design related issues or topics in a scholarly manner as evidenced through the presentation of critical argument.
Personal Values Attributes (PVA):
? Show a fundamental awareness of global, cultural and ethical issues and responsible design practice through design context studies.
How will I be assessed?
Block 1 (50% of assessment)
A portfolio submission of exercises/assignments, completed throughout the teaching block. These assignments encourage you to think critically about design in both historical and contemporary contexts, and to develop your skills in research, visual analysis and academic writing.
Block 2 (50% of assessment)
A portfolio submission of exercises/assignments, completed throughout the teaching block. These assignments enable you to demonstrate your understanding of the subject and your acquisition of key skills.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
Few forms of creative, intellectual and commercial activity reach into so many areas of public and private life as design. This module introduces students to the broad field of design culture. Exploring the history and theory of design, we will consider how design disciplines act and interact in the world and how design is shaped by the cultural contexts in which it is produced and consumed. The taught sessions will examine the history of design through a chronological survey of key styles, movements and practitioners from c.1800 to the present. We will consider the underlying social and cultural factors that have shaped the history of design, alongside critical issues in contemporary design such as consumerism, globalisation, transculturation and post-colonialism. As students familiarise themselves with these issues, they will develop skills in critical thinking and the cultural and ethical awareness needed for a successful career in design. Through lectures, seminars, workshops and fieldtrips, students will develop study skills vital for both academic success and professional design practice. Students will develop an ability to conduct and apply detailed analytical research and visual analysis to design practice and build confidence to articulate viewpoints clearly in speech and writing.
Course info
UCAS Code W266
Credits 20
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
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.
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