DE3002 - Design Contexts

You will gain an understanding of significant design movements, such as modernism and postmodernism, and explore contemporary issues like design for sustainability and the impact of digital technologies. Through individual research and group activities and projects, you will critically engage with case studies, analysing how design evolves in response to cultural and technological changes.

This module will also help you develop a critical awareness of the ethical considerations that influence design decisions, providing you with the knowledge to reflect on design’s broader impact on society.

You will participate in lectures, seminars, projects and group discussions, where you will engage with historical and contemporary design contexts. Group work will encourage collaboration as you present case studies on contemporary design issues. Projects and presentations will allow you to further develop research skills and express your understanding of the historical and cultural significance of design. Regular formative feedback will help refine your critical thinking and presentation skills as you progress.

Learning materials, including module documentation, presentations, and reading lists, are available on the university’s eLearning Portal. You will also have access to additional study skills workshops through Skills Plus, and international students can benefit from Academic Language Skills (ALS) support.

For further help, your Personal Guidance Tutor will be available to provide advice and direct you to relevant university services, ensuring you receive the support needed to succeed academically and personally.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• Explain the historical and contemporary context of design, including the ethical, cultural, and environmental impact of design decisions.
• Recognise and apply human-centred and sustainable design principles in project work.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Develop research skills to investigate design history and contemporary issues, presenting findings in both written and oral formats
• Collaborate effectively in group presentations and discussions to explore contemporary design challenges.

Personal Values Attributes

• Critically engage with key debates in contemporary design, such as sustainability, ethics, and technological advancements.

Formative feedback:
You will receive formative feedback from peers and tutors during studio and workshop engagement. This provides you with the opportunity to apply the feedback to your existing work and improve your competencies before your final summative assessments.
Formal formative feedback:
Formal formative tutorials and interim sessions will provide feedback and informally record academic progress.

Summative assessment:
Summative assessment will be used for grading of the final submissions and will be formally recorded and will be based upon a final visual presentation material.

N/A

Design Studio Skills (DE3001)
Design Contexts (DE3002)
Design Specialisms (DE3003)
Major Design Project (DE3004)
Design Portfolio and Exhibition (

The Design Context module introduces you to the historical, cultural, and contemporary issues that shape design practices today. Focusing on key movements such as modernism and postmodernism, alongside contemporary debates on sustainability, ethics, and technological advancements, this module fosters a deep understanding of design’s evolution and its impact on society. You will explore a broad range of design disciplines, including communication, product, fashion, and interior design, to see how these fields intersect and influence one another.

Through a combination of lectures, seminars, group presentations, projects and individual research, you will critically engage with case studies and debates that define the current design landscape. Assessments will include group presentations, projects and individual essays, enabling you to develop strong research and analytical skills. This module provides a foundation for further study in design, preparing you to think critically about design’s role in addressing global challenges and shaping cultural and ethical conversations.