Smart Design, MA, MSc

This is a unique course providing the skills and understanding required to develop new products and systems, using innovative, emerging technologies. You'll be at the cutting-edge of product development, creating imaginative products and systems, capable of changing the way we live.

• Are you inspired by emerging technologies?
• Would you like to collaborate on live design projects with leading companies, including projects supplied by Unilever, PepsiCo and Tyrone Textiles?
• Would you like to be involved in designing with ground-breaking, innovative technologies and materials?
• Do you recognise the importance of interdisciplinary design, and aspire to develop creative products and systems within teams from a range of backgrounds?
• Are you interested in developing products which will be used in everyday life today, tomorrow and into the next century?

The MA / MSc Smart Design are unique courses providing the multidisciplinary skills and understanding required to develop new products and systems, using innovative, emerging technologies.

Scholarship opportunities

PepsiCo scholarship 2013 entry

MA / MSc Smart Design

The packaging and functionality brief can address one of two options. Either focussing on differentiated packaging for snacks products or 'on the move packaging', in particular for heated breakfast cereals. Find out more about the scholarship by downloading the brief .

Closing date for entry is 30 August 2013. This scholarship is now closed.

MSc Smart Design

Reflex Systems and Future Factory

At Reflex Systems we are committed to maximum patient benefits and financial success whilst leaving a positive imprint on medical science delivering what we call clinical excellence in ocular prosthetics.

With the rapid advancements in medical science reflex systems must continually innovate to improve and ensure state of the art technology accomplishes the absolute responsive prosthesis for patients/customers and commercial success.

This challenge will significantly change the lives of patients/customers in the worldwide market place. Find out more about the scholarship by downloading the brief

Closing date for entry is 19 September 2013. This scholarship is now closed.

Genesis Engineering Solutions and Future Factory 2013 entry

MA/MSc Smart Design

Genesis Engineering Solutions are committed to designing electronic devices and products for the benefit of society with an emphasis on developing medical instrumentation.

The primary objective of this new company is to develop an electronic device used to calibrate medical Doppler ultrasound equipment. This new device will enable doctors and clinicians to effectively calibrate their ultrasound machines without using the current systems which are relatively inflexible and costly to use.

Find out more about the scholarship and how to apply by downloading the brief.

Closing date for entry is 26 September 2013.

School scholarships
There are also several School scholarship opportunities for UK, EU and international Smart Design students.

Please visit the School scholarships page for full details and terms and conditions.

Recent projects

Take a look at the gallery of work from our 2012 graduates - this shows the variety of projects from retail packaging solutions to adaptive buildings and 'smart muscles'.

Working with industry

Working on live briefs set by industry you will:

• learn how to look for requirements and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and solutions
• consider how good design requires the combination of the latest materials, technology and hardware, designed to be straightforward for the end user, becoming an integral part of life.

You will be at the cutting-edge of product development, creating imaginative products and systems, capable of changing the way we live.

Industry support

Throughout the development of the Smart Design courses the School has engaged and consulted with industry to ensure that the content meets their requirements.

Many leading companies have expressed their commitment to supporting the course through live briefs and projects.

Accreditation

The MSc Smart Design course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).
This means students are fully supported by the Institution, and receive free IED student membership for the duration of their studies and first year of graduate membership.

MA or MSc?

The courses are available as an MA or MSc.
The key differentiation between the MA and MSc pathways will be the Futures module and your major project outcomes as outlined in your learning agreement.

The courses can also be studied to PG Certificate or PG Diploma level.

Postgraduate open events

Our postgraduate open events are a great opportunity to meet our postgraduate teaching staff and students, visit the University, find out about the courses we offer, bursaries and funding opportunities.
Find out more and book your place.

Further information

Course enquiries:
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418

"I've just started work for Kraft, as a packaging technologist in the next generation packaging team. Basically we'll be doing exactly the sort of thing the course prepared me for - looking ahead at emerging packaging trends etc. It's going to be pretty exciting." Chris Holt, MSc Smart Design

What do current students say about the course?

"It's project orientated – practical side prepares you for a career."

"We look at emerging technologies. Focusing on a future in design rather than learning technologies that are already in use. It'll help get ahead of the rest."

"Approachable staff. It's not an ivory tower mentality here."

"It really is multidisciplinary. They don't assume a pigeon hole and don't expect expertise at the start. Use a bit or art and science and research in different areas."

About the course

The course places great emphasis on the development of a major project based on a platform of considered research, and on an interdisciplinary approach to learning. Potential major project areas include, but are not limited to the following.

Medical / clinical products
Explore smart devices that can think for themselves, such as portable devices for use by medical patients within their own homes, innovative new medical instruments and devices or bandages that can detect bacteria.

Intelligent environments
Create intelligent environments such as systems which recognise you and acclimatise your house to your preferences, without even the flick of a switch!

Personal robotics
These include mobile devices made to make your life easier in and around the home – a study by ABI research predicts that the personal robotics market will be worth $15billion by 2015.

Smart packaging
Explore innovations in packaging which may include deterring counterfeiting, self heating containers or perhaps improving users convenience, such as milk cartons that change colour when the lifespan of the milk has been exceeded.

Technical textiles / smart fabrics and wearable devices
These include sports performance monitoring, medical monitoring and health care or for fashion and textiles garments with additional functionality.

Industry collaboration

A key focus of the courses is collaboration with industry. The School has established links with many companies who will provide live briefs, case studies and projects. This makes the courses particularly exciting and relevant to real word product development.

Students have recently worked with the following companies:

1. PepsiCo Europe – Smart packaging
2. Tyrone Textiles and Future Factory – Technical lace
3. John Pacey-Lowrie – Responsive ocular prosthetics
4. Unilever - Wearable health monitor

The course is multidisciplinary, utilising experience and resources from established programmes within the School and also with the School of Art & Design and the College of Science.

Recent projects

Take a look at the gallery of work from our 2012 graduates - this shows the variety of projects from retail packaging solutions to adaptive buildings and 'smart muscles'.

Who teaches on the courses?

You will be taught by an experienced team who are passionate about this subject area. Take a look at their profiles to find out more about their areas of expertise.

MSc Smart Design and MA Smart Design
Course leader: Dr Phil Breedon

Professor Daizhong Su
Leslie Arthur

MSc Smart Design

Dr Sarah Kettley
Luke Harmer

What do you study?

Modules
Weeks 1 - 15:

• Research Methods (20 credit points)
• Horizon Scanning (20 credit points)
• Design Tools and Processes (20 credit points).

Weeks 16 - 30:

• Applied Design and Research (20 credit points)
• MA: Design Futures (20 credit points) / MSc: Technology Futures (20 credit points)
• Multidisplinary Innovation Design Project (20 credit points).

Weeks 31 - 45:

• Major Study Project (60 credit points).

These modules provide a broad education in design with a focus on technologies and materials and also allow you to benefit from studies outside of the chosen area of specialisation.

How do you study?

These modular, taught, practice-based courses involve individual and group project work.

The courses place great emphasis on the development of a major project based on a platform of considered research and on an interdisciplinary approach to learning.

The projects involve live briefs supplied by industry which involves working directly with companies and possibly also working in-house for short periods.

The group projects allow students to work with, and learn from, students exploring different platforms.

The Horizon Scanning module incorporates case studies and briefs from industry, consultancy, experts from NTU and other UK and European universities. The module will open up your horizons introducing you to new and diverse areas – which may enthuse you to explore a different project or to combine your skills with a new technology.

Accreditation

The MSc Smart Design course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED).
This means students are fully supported by the Institution, and receive free IED student membership for the duration of their studies and first year of graduate membership.

Course location

The courses are based on the City site and benefits from the multidisciplinary features of the School - combining strengths in engineering, design, art, architecture and the built environment.