Narratives are told through artefacts, text, sound, images, film, which are integrated into the physical environment. This is achieved in three ways. Firstly, through the design of hard physical structures, materials and form, which tend to remain fairly fixed over time. Secondly, through text, light, image, sound and digital media which can change rapidly. Thirdly, through the soft and most unpredictable dimension of human presence and interaction.
On this course, theories of space, narrative, and media will be introduced and debated through lectures, seminars and conferences. . Theory is also integrated with practice in team projects. You will gain insight into professional practice through placements, live projects, weekly lectures, workshops, and visiting practitioners. During the course, you will progress towards independent thinking. You will establish your own critical position, allowing you to graduate with a clear set of design principles to underpin your future career.
Unit 1: Designing Narrative Environments
This unit will introduce you to a variety of research methods and the scope of narrative environment design through group projects of short and medium duration. You will also be introduced to the theoretical, socio-economic and cultural context of practice. Unit 1 also integrates personal and professional development and introduction to London as a context. This will enable you to become an active member of a learning community. You will develop your skills in research, communication, reflection, planning, decision-making and creative practice.
Unit 2: Developing Narrative Environments
On this unit, you will have the opportunity to explore, define, and develop your own direction. You will research and compose a major project proposal. You will do an industry case study or a placement to gain direct insight into opportunities and working methods in industry. The case study or placement will enable you to appraise your own abilities, ambitions and career direction.
The major project proposal is self-directed. You will define your own research question, aims and objectives and catalog your rigorous research process. This research will inform the development of your major project design proposal. . You will explore modes of prototyping, modeling, and representing your proposal. You will also assemble your own collaborative team that will help you work towards realisation. This unit allows you to engage with the professional world and become a reflective, creative and critical practitioner.
Unit 3: Deploying Narrative Environments
In this unit, you will focus on realization, activation, documentation, and encapsulation. You will write a project rationale which will contextualise and justify your design. You will prototype, test, produce and present your major project. Unit 3 concludes with a critical reflection on your major project. This enables you to describe and analyze your own unique design approach in tandem with setting professional and personal goals. It also encourages you to reflect on the dynamics of the industry, to consolidate your experience and advance your skills and knowledge.
Mode of study
MA Narrative Environments is offered in extended full-time mode which runs for 60 weeks over two academic years. You will be expected to commit 30 hours per week to study, which includes teaching time and independent study.
The course has been designed in this way to enable you to pursue studies while also undertaking language learning, part-time employment, internships or care responsibilities.
Credit and award requirements
The course is credit-rated at 180 credits.
On successfully completing the course, you will gain a Master of Arts (MA degree).
Under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, an MA is Level 7. All units must be passed in order to achieve the MA but the classification of the award is derived from the mark for the final unit only.
If you are unable to continue on the course, a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert) will normally be offered following the successful completion of 60 credits, or a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) following the successful completion of 120 credits.
