Design projects
Equip yourself with the skills and confidence to use creative design approaches, methods and tools to tackle real-world challenges. This module’s project-based approach means your learning is active, practical, and student-driven. You’ll develop your abilities by working on meaningful design tasks connected to people, society and the environment, choosing how you approach your work, sharing your projects with others and receiving feedback to improve your ideas. By the end of the module, you’ll have built skills applicable within and beyond design disciplines and a portfolio to showcase your competencies to employers.
What you will study
The module has two parts.
In Part 1, you’ll tackle a design challenge or topic from four perspectives, helping you become familiar with approaches and practices used in design projects and a designer’s different roles.
In Part 2, you’ll choose a real-world challenge to apply and develop the skills from Part 1. You’ll complete your project by completing five tasks characteristic of any design process.
You’ll search and consult a design library to support your progression through the two parts. The design library is a valuable companion to the module, containing a variety of methods, tools and practical resources to help you complete your project.
Participating in the regular tutorials and project reviews throughout the module will help you progress with your project and develop your ability to respond to feedback, work with others, and communicate your work.
Entry requirements
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.
Preparatory work
We recommend the following module:
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- course-specific module materials
- audio and video content
- interactive design activities
- assessment details and submission section
- online tutorial access
- OpenDesignStudio, our online studio space.
Computing requirements
- Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
- Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
- Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
- Operating systems – Windows 11 or latest supported macOS. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025.
- Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
- Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.