Module manager: Rafiq Elmansy
Email: R.Elmansy@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
DESN 5175M
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills and creativity that they acquired during Semester 1 to a specialist project that integrates research and practice. Students will start working on their specialist project and complete the first three stages of the design process: 1) identification of problem/need; 2) research; 3) concept development.
This module gives students the opportunity to plan and conduct independent research work relevant to their specialist project, including:
• Construct a coherent subject knowledge informed by relevant and recent research.
• Identify a user-centred design problem and explore research and design ideas, concepts and approaches capable of delivering efficient design solutions.
• Critically originate and appraise self-generated ideas and concepts critically to select appropriate design directions based on preliminary research.
• Demonstrate coherent and detailed subject knowledge informed by recent research/scholarship in the discipline.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Formulate, develop and justify a design research plan.
2. Create a higher-level design project, by selecting and applying appropriate conceptual, practical and research tools to support its iterative development.
3. Critically justify design concepts and methods through using a combination of primary data and secondary sources to support ideation and development.
Skills Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Show creative skills in problem solving and an understanding of possible constraints in terms of feasibility and creativity.
5. Present research findings and design ideas in a coherent and professional manner.
6. Demonstrate project management, planning and organisation skills
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 7 | 3 | 21 |
| Lectures | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| seminars | 7 | 2 | 14 |
| Private study hours | 260 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 40 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300 | ||
Formative feedback given in group and individual supervision tutorials.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Project | Project proposal | 40 |
| Portfolio | Integrated research project portfolio | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team