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Accessibility statement
This module provides a foundation in design practice by introducing topics from different creative and design disciplines. Each topic introduces design principles and practical skills that you’ll apply in a series of short design projects. Your tutor will support you with your project work, organising regular check-ins, discussion opportunities and project reviews. Your project work will contribute to your final design portfolio, a professional body of work that reflects your capabilities and interests. By the end of the module, you’ll have started to develop your emerging design identity and where it could take you.
You’ll learn about design by exploring different design principles and learning essential practical skills through six topics and short projects.
Topic 1: Image and layout design
In the first topic, you’ll explore visual and layout design by learning key graphic design principles and basic skills in creating digital images. You’ll try out these principles and skills in Project 1 when you design a cover for an album, podcast or digital audio product.
Topic 2: Making and remaking
The second topic explores material and making in design, introducing some product and physical design principles. It provides a step-by-step introduction to developing your drawing, prototyping, and communication skills. You’ll use these skills to complete Project 2 – to repurpose an existing object.
Topic 3: Algorithmic design
The third topic introduces the emerging field of algorithmic design, exploring how computers are used to engage in creative design work rather than just as design tools. You’ll have a chance to try some creative coding by designing a wallpaper tiling pattern.
Topic 4: Place and habitation
The fourth topic introduces principles of designing the places where we live. It also introduces some key design skills and tools commonly used in the design of the built environment, leading to the design of your own ‘small place’.
Topic 5: Systems and services
This project explores the complexity of design through systems, user experience, and service design principles. You’ll develop valuable skills in understanding complex product-service systems and apply these in Project 5 to redesign a service.
Topic 6: Vision and identity
The final topic focuses on your design practice, exploring what you’ve learned and your design values. In Project 6, you’ll begin to prepare your final design portfolio and will use this to explore what areas of design interest you and what you want to do next.
You’ll end the module by finalising your design portfolio and reflecting on your personal and professional development. Your portfolio combines a professional body of work that reflects your specific interests and your emerging design practice and identity.
We encourage you to participate in regular design reviews of your project work at set times throughout the module. These reviews emulate the types that happen in professional contexts, giving you important feedback on your design work and developing skills employers in the creative industries are always looking for.
By the end of the module, you’ll have become familiar with different areas of design, explored your own design practices, and developed core design skills by applying them to design projects – all of which will be a solid foundation to continue your learning.
There are no formal entry requirements for this module.
At The Open University, we believe education should be open to all, so we provide high-quality university education to anyone who wishes to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.
We recommend that you have some experience of design or other creative practices, or that you’ve completed:
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
Additionally, the website includes:
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying T190 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Design practices (T190) starts twice a year – in October and January/February.
It will next start in October 2026 and January 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in January 2032.
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