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An immersive course where you will understand and apply processes, tools, and mindsets to understand and apply design led research, future thinking and strategic problem solving in the fields of branding, design, innovation and enterprise. Design isn’t just about objects and artefacts – it’s about problem solving and enabling and instigating change.
On this three-week Design Management course, you will apply three design management cornerstones of process, facilitation, and strategy to address complex design challenges with empathy, insight, agility, ethics, and contextual intelligence.
You will be introduced to some of the most contemporary practices in Design Management with tools that you will learn to apply to a variety of real life uses, including business model canvas, systems thinking rich picture tool, culture maps, empathy maps and user journey mapping.
Each day will be spent working with theory and practice – we learn by doing – and there will be opportunity to collaborate, work collectively on creative activities together to apply your learning in practice.
We will also be looking at organising for innovation and will apply contemporary design management practice to better understand contemporary marketing and branding, entrepreneurship and problem-solving in business and leadership, global cultures, innovation, and sustainability.
Dates: 20 July 2026 – 6 August 2026
Application deadline: 1 June 2026
Cost: £2,630
Duration: 3 weeks
Location: Carpenter’s Road
Register your interest for Summer 2026.
You should be proficient in written and spoken English and be able to participate in group discussions and make presentations. As a guideline we would expect you to have an English language level equivalent to IELTS score of 6.0. A certificate is not required.
More information on English language requirements and equivalencies.
This course is open to all levels and is suitable for students over 18 wanting undergraduate-level study.
This course is taught through a series of lectures, seminars, and collaborative studio roundtables by expert practitioners and academics.
Design management stems from industrial design in the 1950s, through to architecture and computing science in the 1960s to social design in the 1970 and latterly marketing and brand management in the 1990s and early 200os. In the digital and post-digital era, design management has embraced design thinking and thinking in systems. Design management is a creative process driven activity that isn’t just a job title: it’s a holistic outlook than enables, and instigates, enterprise and innovation.
We will apply three design management cornerstones of process, facilitation, and strategy to address complex design challenges with empathy, insight, agility, ethics, and contextual intelligence. Together offer a creative and experiential approach to the study and practice of design, problem-solving, business and leadership, global cultures, innovation, and sustainability. We understand that finessing a multidisciplinary and process-driven technique is the route to success.
Our key themes are design research, understanding organisational structures, thinking in systems, providing creative economy analysis, future thinking, applying human and planet centred design principles, inclusive design, strategic thinking, and creating enterprise & innovation through design.
Our Summer Study Abroad courses offers 20 taught hours (per week) built into the schedule, 60 taught hours in total. As a frame of reference, Study Abroad recommends between 20-30 hours in total for additional independent / self-directed study time (average 7-10 hours per week) to further develop ideas and realise project ambitions.
Each of our 3-week Summer Study Abroad courses are developed at undergraduate level 4, although they are still open to all learners. Courses may suit a creative in the early stages of their career, or individuals looking to develop new skills and processes, (delivered in taster format), as well as those wishing to build on community and networking opportunities.
Study Abroad students receive a Record of Study 6-8 weeks after completion of their course. They will also receive a digital badge and downloadable certificate from Accredible after their Record of Study is issued. Badges can be shared in digital portfolios, used on CVs and added to social media profiles such as LinkedIn.
Robert Urquhart is the Course Leader for BA (Hons) Design Management at UAL London College of Communication. Robert has also guest taught on both BA and MA courses throughout UAL for over 12 years. Outside of teaching, Robert is also a writer, having been a contributing-editor at Elephant Magazine until 2021 and is a D&AD award winning writer for editorial on education, copywriter and strategic consultant.
During this intensive three-week course you will:
You may find it helpful to bring:
Please note art supplies can also be purchased from the college shop if needed.
We offer a Summer Study Abroad Scholarship for all of our 3 week Summer Study Abroad courses.
To be eligible, you must be 18 years or older, hold an offer to join one of our 3 week Summer Study Abroad courses, and be enrolled on an undergraduate degree programme outside the UK.
Find out how to apply
Register your interest for Summer 2026
Email us
Study alongside local degree-seeking students for 1, 2, or 3 terms and immerse yourself into UK student life.
Study from 3 to 8 weeks on one of our summer programmes.
A student's experience of the Summer Study Abroad: Textile Design and Advanced Fashion Design courses.
Check which visa you need and start planning your travels!
Questions?
Email: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk
@ualstudyabroad
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