Design Thinking Summer School, Short Course Programme

Design Thinking Summer School is aimed at business and marketing students who wish to enhance their creativity by combining techniques from the design and marketing professions so that they generate new and innovative ideas and solutions.

Being ahead of the competition and standing out from the crowd is essential in today's business world. So is being able to demonstrate creativity. These skills are very sought after by employers, and so being able to demonstrate these will reinforce competitiveness in the job market.

The lectures, workshops and studio activities will be accompanied by talks from professionals who are continually applying design thinking methodology to their work, as well as visits to museums and galleries. There will be an organised trip to London one Saturday to explore the design culture of our exciting capital, as well as social events hosted by NTU students to help you experience life in Nottingham. An arrival and farewell event will also be arranged. These are all included in the fee. Meals are not included in the fee, but there are plenty of inexpensive options on the doorstep.

This course will be taught by experts from Nottingham Business School and the School of Art and Design, both constituents of Nottingham Trent University.

Any questions?

Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 2813
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The first two weeks of the course will consist of alternating between marketing and design classes. The final week is where you will be immersed in a design project to test your new knowledge. From a marketing and management approach you will explore how to incorporate innovation in everyday business practices. You will look at consumer behaviour and current marketing trends. You will learn how to improve your project management skills, how to be strategic in leadership and how to use effective presentations skills to communicate your ideas with confidence.

In your design classes you will explore rapid concept generation techniques, and examine how the design, problem solving and idea generation processes work. Instead of traditional lectures and seminars you will be actively involved in studio design projects. You will try your hand at drawing as a tool for improving your observation skills and as a way to analyse objects and systems, and learn why drawing is the communication tool favoured by creative people. You will also consider prototyping and sketch modelling to present your concepts. There will be workshops on how designers view their clients and customers, and how entrepreneurs can develop brand and logo awareness when setting up a new business. You will be working with design professionals and current students to aid your development, with case studies that will support your understanding of the creative process.