Post graduate studies in Design Management

International design school

To situate our International Design School within the French educational system (see Q4), it is important to know that our school was set up in 1986 and is a public institution, managed by the regional Chamber of Commerce in the Var area, South of France. (French Chambers of Commerce are mostly financed by company funds and tax). Our MSc is officially recognised by the French State National Ministry of Education & Research and by Salford University, U.K. (see below). We have recently set up a another close partnership with our neighbouring management school in Marseille, therefore our Design and Business & Technology schools are now called EUROMED MANAGEMENT TOULON but at the same time they both keep their own specific identity, profile and specialisations.

Design Management

These courses are situated in the field of Design Management which is the process by which design applications are identified, implemented, maintained and evaluated. The courses focus on the strategic management of Design and address the needs of industry; both professionals and organisations involved in the commissioning and coordinating of design and individuals working in management roles within Design Consultancy. In recent years Design Management has become a recognised discipline both professionally and academically. The majority of major companies no longer have to be persuaded as to the value of Design to their businesses and most now have Design Management departments and Design Managers reporting to senior levels within the organisation. The Design Consultancy sector has matured to the extent that it now provides a broader range of strategic advice to clients and now demands staff with skills that compliment creative skills. Consultancies also recognise both the need for efficient internal Management organisation and the fact that Design educated staff are unlikely to possess such knowledge.These full- time options are geared to the needs of both recent graduates and overseas students. The unique aspect of these courses is they focus on the role of design and management in the international context. The courses use international academic material and industry cases and are taught by international staff to students who come from all over the world.

Design Thinking

These Masters programmes explore the dynamic mix of creativity allied to design business. The programmes promote a ‘new design thinking’ and the emergence of new design professionals whereby students will develop heightened creative analytical skills combined with business skills. Masters students now need to develop a much wider skills set including: business acumen, design management skills, multi-disciplinary skills, creativity and design initiative, leadership, alongside philosophical and intellectual attributes. Therefore, these Masters programmes will innovatively focus on these necessary skills. As a student on the programme you will understand your new role within the innovation process and how you can play a fundamental role in society by possessing an ability to become a practitioners who also have the ability to contribute and innovate at a business and society level. You will forge new working processes across design and business thus significantly affecting and creating a progressive culture and by default being radical learners.We aim to offer an environment, which celebrates and interrogates the blurring of subject boundaries where, for example, business or engineering graduates can influence and work with designers and vice versa. You will become the new creative and cultural shapers and leaders. We expect students to become cultural leaders by shaping the relationship between culture, economy and society. At the heart of the programmes are collaboration, innovation and an emphasis on the globally ethically aware student. We will deliver the environment that enables such activities and work coming to fruition by working towards a common bond of research and development.

General educational aims of the Design Management programmes

· To enable graduates and professionals from varied and international backgrounds to further develop, demonstrate and apply autonomous skills in research, analysis and practice through a structured programme, which integrates scholarly, business, creative perspectives and processes. · To provide students a unique cross-disciplinary, cross culturally and collaborative flexible environment in which personal and professional ambitions can be achieved through independent and teamwork. · To provide the opportunity for students to develop a perceptive and acute appreciation and application of the importance and significance of innovation and entrepreneurship by becoming design practitioners who also have the ability to challenge and innovate at a business and society level. · The stimulation of an inquiring, imaginative, analytical, intellectual and creative approach encouraging independent judgement, strategic decision making and critical self-awareness leading to advanced knowledge and practice within design.

· To promote the relationships between theory and practice as fundamental for lifelong skills together with knowledge transfer and a creative application to further practice or scholarship.

Specific routes: 3 semesters full time

MA International Design Strategy & Innovation (University of Bath Spa, England)

Design could be viewed as an activity that gives form to an idea, whether that form is a car, a building, a chair, a graphic, a service, a business, a policy or a series of activities. The important part is the translation of an idea, from the original spark through to its tangible delivery. This executive masters degree looks at the concept of managing as designing and looks at the role design thinking plays in strategy and innovation. It looks beyond management algorithms towards the creation of a learning organisation based on heuristics. The main aim of this unique international course is to develop design managers and leaders as catalysts for strategic innovation and who will not only be designers able to compete internationally but creatively manage complex projects and lead innovation. The course reflects key trends in design, society, business and culture. The course accepts graduates from all relevant design fields. This course contains a substantial element of design research and practical design work. You will graduate as a designer and a design manager. Graduates can expect to find employment in strategic product and service development, brand, design practice and design management within international creative firms.

MSc International Business and Management for Design (University of Salford, England)

The programme is intended for two audiences; design trained applicants looking to enhance their careers in management and students from business, marketing or engineering backgrounds who find themselves increasingly involved in the design and creative sector. This executive masters degree examines the concept of managing design to achieve organisational competitive advantage. If you are looking to advance your skills in the management of design through the business school model then this is the course for you. A pioneering course in the field, the MSc International Business and Management for Design offers students the opportunity to gain vital skills in managing creative design practice and associated design and project management. The course aims to develop managers and leaders who can creatively manage complex projects and lead innovation. This course focuses on the business platform rather than practical design work. You will graduate not as a designer but as a capable manager able to work in the creative industries. Graduates can expect to find employment in the following areas: design management positions within major organisations, brand or identity management, project management, managerial roles within design consultancies, account handling or directorship, new business development, and owner management.