DG4S28 - Professional Design Practice 09 Feb 2018 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: DG4S28
Module Title: Professional Design Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Design
Module Leader: Joseph Brown
Module Team: Stephen Leadbetter, Ryan Preece, Sarah Down, Rachel Grainger, Emma Marshman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 09 Feb 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To develop in students an advanced understanding of the skills and theories of business practice in a range of design business environments.

To scrutinise the social, economic and political factors effecting decisions made within the design industry.

To investigate the entrepreneurial aspects of contemporary Design Practice involved in starting up and running a small design consultancy or freelance design practice.

Challenging existing models of design management with innovative new approaches.

Content Summary

The nature of the Graphic Communication industry:

Typical business models, scale and operation.

Business operation and issues:

Definitions, principles and techniques of hazard identification and risk management and

assessment. Costing, budgeting, ordering, cash flow, profit and loss margins explained for different size enterprises.

Corporate requirements and responsibilities:

Client base, legislation, green issues, corporate image, ethics and business strategy.

Small Business Start-up:

Agencies and support organisations. The Business Plan. Forecasts and predicted income. Premises, equipment and staffing.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 6
Project supervision 15
Supervised time in studio/workshop 15
Independent Study 112
Directed Study 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Exhibit a sophisticated higher awareness of business and professional practice in relation to clients, employers, employees and suppliers in various areas of the design industry.
LO2 Demonstrate the development of enhanced business skills including initiating enterprise start-up, arranging and conducting meetings, organisational skills, costing and job planning.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Report 1 Create a business plan for a new company, freelance or self-initiated start-up, identify arenas for opportunity and growth within current and emerging design-based commercial practice. 0 3000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Case study 1 Create a visual strategy (Brand) through applied design practice that represents and supports the communication, positioning and marketing of a new product or service. 0 3000 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Report 1
Case study 1

Reading List

How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul, Adrian Shaughnessy (3 Oct 2005) Laurence King ISBN: 1856694100

Successful Marketing for Small Business, Nigel Hill plb, Charles Letts & Co.

Professional Practice in Design Consultancy, Liz Lydiate Design Council List.

Johnston Dan, Design Protection: A guide to the law on plagiarism for manufacturers and design, London, Design Council, distributed by Heinemann Educational 1978 - 0850720885

Starting a Small Business, Nigel Hill, pub. Charles Letts & Co

Great Britain Patent Office, Patent Office Literature, Newport Gwent, Patent Office Marketing and Information Services 199 - z2875056

Design Management: Using Design to Build Brand Value and Corporate Innovation by Brigitte Borja de Mozota

ISBN-13: 978-1581152838

Design Management: Managing Design Strategy, Process and Implementation by Kathryn Best ISBN-13: 978-1472573674

The Fundamentals of Design Management by Kathryn Best ISBN-13: 978-2940411078