Design students at Nottingham Trent University will be the first to pilot a brand new industry module from the British Design Innovation (BDI). It will enable them to understand how design and commerce relate while helping to inform the content of a career study resource that will be used across the UK.

The first year product design and furniture and product design students will be the first to take part in the project, from the University and Design Industry Partnership Scheme (UDIPS) – an initiative of product, service and interaction design membership organisation, BDI. Focussing on the students’ potential roles as designers of the future and their understanding  of design as a creative industry, the project will use research skills to define the roles available to design graduates today.

Gus Desbarats, chairman of BDI South East, commented: “Design is no longer about the object, but has come to include disciplines and theories such as design thinking, social innovation, service design, interaction and experience, and relational aesthetics. As such, roles in the design industry are now very varied, and design processes can differ from one area to another.

“The pilot module will help create an online resource, as well as a physical teaching support pack for future creatives entering the design industry. The pack will include online case studies, teaching materials and information packs for students that will help align design education with the design industry.”

Students on the module will do design context research work as a project within their design studies course. Rather than being handed material, they will do their own exploration and study as a medium to understanding how design and commerce relate and to explore the choices they need to make about their own life.

Sarah Kettley, a lecturer in product design at Nottingham Trent University, commented: “The university’s module had already been redesigned this year to take into account some of these issues. The third term is scheduled to focus on design processes and prepare the students for the placement focus of the second year.

“The module will enable the students to communicate their own position on design as well as informing a resource to help other design students across the UK. We’re very excited to be involved in the project.”

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