This module focuses on developing your understanding of commercial design practice and the relationship between designers, clients, and customers. You will explore how creative ideas are shaped by client briefs, market expectations and professional considerations. Through studio-based project work, you will develop solutions that balance creativity with commercial viability, preparing you to work confidently in professional design contexts and respond to real-world challenges.

During this module, you will:

- Develop design concepts that respond to client briefs, market trends, and consumer needs, balancing creativity with commercial considerations
- Explore the dynamics of the designer-client relationship and the processes involved in negotiating, presenting, and delivering design solution
- Identify and apply appropriate production methods and materials to ensure your designs are viable, cost-effective and suitable for manufacture
- Develop professional working practices, including project planning, time management and awareness of budgets, costs and resources
- Refine skills in visual, verbal and written communication to present design solutions clearly, persuasively and professionally to a variety of audiences
- Work independently and proactively, demonstrating focus, initiative and the ability to critically evaluate your own progress
- Participate in individual and group tutorials, presenting work in progress, receiving constructive feedback, and using reflection to develop coherent and commercially relevant outcomes
- Reflect on your professional development and career aspirations

Assessment 1: Extended Practical Project

Creative portfolio of project work and professional development. Typically including:

- Design and development sketch work
- Sketch models and prototypes - Material samples and experimentation
- CAD Model/s as appropriate
- Evidence of engagement with feedback
- Presentation material

Assessment 2: Professional Development Presentation

Professional development presentation, typically taking the form of a visual multi-media presentation, delivered verbally, that reflects on your development as a creative, and outlines your career aspiration.

Formative Assessment:

Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

On this module, typical learning and teaching activities will include:

- Developing design concepts and commercially viable proposals in response to client or competition briefs, balancing creativity with market and user needs.
- Exploring and representing ideas using both manual techniques and digital tools, including 2D and 3D CAD, to communicate solutions effectively.
- Conducting primary and secondary research into trends, materials, production methods, users and markets to inform your design decisions.
- Managing your own project work, negotiating design constraints, problem-solving and developing ideas within professional and commercial parameters.
- Participating in individual and group tutorials, presenting work in progress, discussing ideas with peers and tutors and responding constructively to feedback from a simulated or real client perspective.
- Refining your ability to communicate design solutions visually, verbally and in writing to professional standards appropriate for clients, stakeholders and industry audiences.

1. Produce an extended practical project that demonstrates growing independence and professional awareness.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Apply critical reasoning to address a complex challenge by demonstrating how you have used academic, technical, or professional feedback to enhance your project within Product, Furniture, Ceramics.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

3. Communicate project intentions, process, and outcomes using appropriate disciplinary formats.

Communication

4. Reflect on your professional identity and aspirations within creative industries and identify lifelong learning opportunities to support your development within Product, Furniture, Ceramics more specifically.

Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

- Student Life: https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers: https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces and Workshops
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Betty Smithers Design collection

Bloomfield, L. (2018) Colour in glazes. London: Herbert Press.

Fuad-Luke, A. (2009) The eco design handbook. 3rd edn. London: Thames & Hudson.

Morris, T. (2018) New wave clay. Amsterdam: Frame Publishers.

Phaidon Editors (2018) Chair: 500 designs that matter. London: Phaidon Press.

Wilhide, E. (2016) Design: The whole story. London: Thames & Hudson.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

Develop your skills as a commercially aware designer or maker. In this module, you will explore how creative ideas are shaped by client briefs, market expectations and professional considerations. You will develop design solutions that balance creativity with commercial viability, investigating production methods, materials, and professional workflows. Through studio-based project work, tutorials and critiques, you will refine your ability to communicate ideas visually, verbally and in writing. This module prepares you to engage confidently with clients and customers, supporting your development as a professional designer or maker ready for contemporary design practice.