Summer Study Abroad

College
London College of Communication Level
Open to all levels

An immersive course where you will understand and apply processes, tools, and mindsets to understand and apply design led research, future thinking and strategic problem solving in the fields of branding, design, innovation and enterprise. Design isn’t just about objects and artefacts – it’s about problem solving and enabling and instigating change.

On this three-week Design Management course, you will apply three design management cornerstones of process, facilitation, and strategy to address complex design challenges with empathy, insight, agility, ethics, and contextual intelligence.

You will be introduced to some of the most contemporary practices in Design Management with tools that you will learn to apply to a variety of real life uses, including business model canvas, systems thinking rich picture tool, culture maps, empathy maps and user journey mapping.

Each day will be spent working with theory and practice – we learn by doing – and there will be opportunity to collaborate, work collectively on creative activities together to apply your learning in practice.

We will also be looking at organising for innovation and will apply contemporary design management practice to better understand contemporary marketing and branding, entrepreneurship and problem-solving in business and leadership, global cultures, innovation, and sustainability.

Why choose Design Management?

During this intensive three-week course you will:

Experience a project-based and inclusive learning environment which will provide you with a taster of contemporary thinking, tools, and processes in development on the Design Management programme of BA & MA courses here at UAL London College of Communication.
Discuss, deconstruct, and create new ways of looking at problem solving.
Apply design thinking tools to real world scenarios.
Learn from tutors who are practicing in the field; benefit from access to specialist facilities at one of UAL’s six Colleges.
Meet like-minded individuals from around the world!
Get involved in UAL life through social events and activities.
All courses are assessed, and you'll receive a record of study at the end of the programme if you wish to request credit from your home institution.

Dates and fees

Dates: 22 July 2024 - 8 August 2024

Cost: £2,380

Duration: 3 weeks

Location: TBC

Course details

This course is taught through a series of lectures, seminars, and collaborative studio roundtables by expert practitioners and academics.

Design management stems from industrial design in the 1950s, through to architecture and computing science in the 1960s to social design in the 1970 and latterly marketing and brand management in the 1990s and early 200os. In the digital and post-digital era, design management has embraced design thinking and thinking in systems. Design management is a creative process driven activity that isn’t just a job title: it’s a holistic outlook than enables, and instigates, enterprise and innovation.

We will apply three design management cornerstones of process, facilitation, and strategy to address complex design challenges with empathy, insight, agility, ethics, and contextual intelligence. Together offer a creative and experiential approach to the study and practice of design, problem-solving, business and leadership, global cultures, innovation, and sustainability. We understand that finessing a multidisciplinary and process-driven technique is the route to success.

Our key themes are design research, understanding organisational structures, thinking in systems, providing creative economy analysis, future thinking, applying human and planet centred design principles, inclusive design, strategic thinking, and creating enterprise & innovation through design.

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to

Understand and engage with contemporary practices in design-led innovation and enterprise (Enquiry)
Experiment and critically evaluate methods and results in emergent situations (Process)
A knowledge of design thinking process and methods of project working (Knowledge)
An ability to communicate ideas and concepts through a presentation of a final project (Communication)

Teaching and independent study time hours:

Our Summer Study Abroad courses offers 20 taught hours (per week) built into the schedule, 60 taught hours in total. As a frame of reference, Study Abroad recommends between 20-30 hours in total for additional independent / self-directed study time (average 7-10 hours per week) to further develop ideas and realise project ambitions.

Each of our 3-week Summer Study Abroad courses are developed at undergraduate level 4, although they are still open to all learners. Courses may suit a creative in the early stages of their career, or individuals looking to develop new skills and processes, (delivered in taster format), as well as those wishing to build on community and networking opportunities.

Credits:

This course is the equivalent to 4 US style credits.
If you’re planning to claim credit towards your degree, be sure to check with your home institution before you apply.

Tutor information

Robert Urquhart

Robert Urquhart is the Course Leader for BA (Hons) Design Management at UAL London College of Communication. Robert has also guest taught on both BA and MA courses throughout UAL for over 12 years. Outside of teaching, Robert is also a writer, having been a contributing-editor at Elephant Magazine until 2021 and is a D&AD award winning writer for editorial on education, copywriter and strategic consultant.

Entry requirements

English requirements

You should be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and make presentations. As a guideline we would expect you to have an English language level equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0.

More information on English language requirements and equivalencies.

Academic requirements

Students applying for this course are expected to be independent and highly motivated, preferably having completed one year at university level (undergraduate-level study).

Materials

You may find it helpful to bring:

A laptop (if you are able)
Notepad and pens/pencils

Please note items can also be purchased from the college shop if needed.

Summer Study Abroad Award

We offer a Summer Study Abroad Scholarship for all of our 3 week Summer Study Abroad courses.

To be eligible, you must be 18 years or older, hold an offer to join one of our 3 week Summer Study Abroad courses, and be enrolled on an undergraduate degree programme outside the UK.

The scholarships cover the tuition-fee only and depend on you successfully enrolling for the course. Our cancellation policy still applies.
Scholarship winners will be asked to take part in promotional activities to promote Summer Study Abroad and the scholarship scheme.

Find out how to apply

Graphic design installation by Ngoc (Sam) Trieu 2017
Image credit: Betty Zapata 2019
Image credit: Adam Razvi 2019

Image credit: Adam Razvi

Integrated Study Abroad

Study alongside local degree-seeking students for 1, 2, or 3 terms and immerse yourself into UK student life.
Image credit: Adam Razvi

Summer Study Abroad

Study from 3 to 8 weeks on one of our summer programmes.
Image credit: Adam Razvi

Student story: Emma Rubinson

A student's experience of the Summer Study Abroad: Textile Design and Advanced Fashion Design courses.