Design processes

Qualifications	Duration	Start dates	Application period
PhD (MPhil also available)	Full-time: 3–4 years Part-time: 6–8 years	February and October	January to April

Qualifications
PhD (MPhil also available)

Duration
Full-time: 3–4 years
Part-time: 6–8 years

Start dates
February and October

Application period
January to April

Research is undertaken in:

design theory and methods, including: studies of designers’ processes; design cognition; functional modelling of products
creativity in design and innovation
computational design; shape grammars; generative methods; computational making
design usability in products; usability in design tools; prototyping
engineering design processes including: simulation; systems engineering for resilient products and processes; product development; testing.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

We welcome applications for research projects; please contact the department to discuss the suitability of your research interests.

Resilient hospital refurbishment
Making rules, making tools: how can shape grammar support creative making?
A decision tool for supplier selection that takes into account power and performance
The role of testing in engineering product development processes
Design dialogues about objects and representations
Product family design using product simulation and multi-objective optimization
Additive manufacturing for functional prototyping in design and development processes