MSc in HUMAN-CENTRE DESIGN
1 year full-time, 3 year part-time (accredited by the Ergonomics Society)
What is Human-Centred Design?
In a demanding marketplace, success or failure of a product or process increasingly depends on its usability. So businesses increasingly want graduates who not just understand the user, but can translate their needs into workable designs. Our applied programme of studies will give you the practical knowledge and skills to tackle real-world problems - to design a world that is safer, more efficient and more enjoyable for the people who use it. The MSc Human-Centred Design offers you the chance to learn about the physical and cognitive requirements of a range of users, from the young to the old, the technologically savvy to the technophobe.
Human-centred design is all about putting people at the heart of a product, system, or process. We look at the capabilities and limitations of both people and technology, combining areas including biomechanics, psychology and engineering. We put this into practice with proven methods and tools, integrating this knowledge within the existing design process to produce a solution which is safe, efficient, and satisfying to use.
Why is Human-Centred Design the right degree for me?
Our philosophy is that the best human-centred designers are those who already have a background in design or engineering, and who have later enhanced that by learning about the human user. This is why the Brunel MSc provides you with knowledge of user needs and shows you how to combine this with your existing skills. More to the point, you will develop a rounded set of skills across all aspects of human-centred design - setting you apart from many other specialists and putting you at an advantage when it comes to employment. As a human-centred designer, you will be a valuable commodity.
This programme has a strong emphasis on giving you the practical skills to make you highly employable in industry. Our best students could even end up working on their final dissertation in a relevant industrial organisation, delivering a live project in the real world. Areas you could work within include:
. Transport ergonomics
. Command and control
. Augmented cognition
. Inclusive design
. Information architecture
. Human factors integration
Why should I study the course and at Brunel ?
These are exciting times in the School of Engineering and Design at Brunel University. We are already renowned as a leading institution for research and teaching in engineering and design with strong links in the industrial sector, and Brunel Design is justifiably proud of its reputation in producing world-class graduates with the knowledge and skills for direct employment in industry. Our workshops offer a wide range of facilities for machining metal, plastics and wood, while our model-making workshop is equipped with rapid prototyping machines and tools for making industrial models or aesthetic prototypes.
The formation of the Human-Centred Design Institute (HCDI) represents the breadth of our capability as well as our aim to become internationally leading in this important field. There is currently several million pounds worth of funded research projects ongoing in the HCDI across a variety of domains, and our state-of-the-art facilities include the BITLab and our driving simulator lab - which now includes car and train simulators.
On the Brunel MSc, you will be taught by leading experts from the HCDI about their latest research findings. Our programme covers traditional aspects of human-centred design, such as physical and cognitive ergonomics, right through to the hot topics of inclusive design and virtual modelling. What's more, we provide hands-on experience of the tools and techniques of human-centred designers, and access to our well-equipped workshops so you can hone your skills on practical solutions. Our philosophy is to produce graduates who not only have knowledge of the relevant theories, but also the skills to apply these to real-world problems.
What is so special about this degree?
The Brunel MSc in Human-Centred Design is unique because it:
- blends fundamental principles of human-centred design with cutting-edge topics to give you a rounded knowledge base
. .
- puts you at the forefront of this burgeoning discipline to give you the best career prospects for the future
- focuses on giving you practical knowledge and applied skills, based on real case studies
- gives you experience of live projects so you can not only theorise about human-centred design, but can actually put it into practice
- has good support from industry partners to provide opportunities for project placements and career networking
- is taught by members of the Brunel Human-Centred Design Institute, ensuring high quality teaching from leading researchers in the field.
- provides a balanced programme of lectures and lab-based teaching across the modules giving students the chance to use state-of-the-art hardware and software
Will I be able to get a job when I graduate?
"As technology becomes ever more comprehensive in the transport sector, it is important that we understand how humans behave and what can be done both to help and hinder their performance. PACTS strongly supports developments in this area such as the Brunel MSc, which will help widen our knowledge base and inform policy development." - Robert Gifford, Executive Director, Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS)
PACTS isn't alone in this point of view - we've had plenty of feedback from our industrial colleagues that human-centred design is a growth area with increasing recognition throughout industry. The modern technological world needs designers and engineers who can understand the capabilities and limitations of users in real situations. The human-centred designers of the future will help to improve health and safety, and make the world a more efficient and satisfying place to live and work.
Since these qualities are becoming more critical for business success, employers are increasingly seeing training in this field as a requirement for their employees. Every year we see opportunities growing in the UK and around the world, across academic, industrial and consultancy careers.
Industrial sectors include transport, defence, manufacturing, and health and safety. Larger industrial organisations in these fields are all increasing their capability in human-centred design as a response to their business need, with employers including:
- Network Rail
- Rail Safety and Standards Board
- London Underground Limited
- Civil Aviation Authority
- Transport Research Laboratory
- Health and Safety Executive
- Atkins
- Qinetiq
- AEA Technology
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratories
- Lockheed Martin
- Aerosystems International
To support this industrial focus, there has also been a rapid growth in consultancy services. There are currently 55 Ergonomics Society Registered Consultancies employing graduates in this field and offering a range of services to industry. Several of these (including Davis Associates and CCD Design & Ergonomics Ltd) have already expressed their support for this MSc. Academic opportunities are also on the rise, with programmes being sponsored by the research councils, defence contracts, government bodies and commercial organisations.
Because the Brunel MSc gives graduates real-world practical knowledge and transferable skills, you will have a head start in applying for positions, whether in industry, consultancy or academia. Typically, the best graduates from our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are offered jobs in the companies where they served their placement.
Taught Modules
Physical Human Factors in Design
Main topics include: introduction to human factors in design, anthropometry, biomechanics, metabolism, subjective evaluation, whole-body vibration, hand-arm vibration; designing to fit body posture; designing for movement and design of controls and displays.
Design Management and Marketing
Main topics include: a brief history of marketing and design management thinking; definitions of marketing and design management; relationship and synergies required between designers and marketeers; differences between consumer and industrial markets; consumer role and influence; buying behaviour; market segmentation techniques, targeting and positioning; definition, role and difference between products and services in a marketing context; pricing strategies; distribution methods; role of branding and promotion; classical and leading contemporary market research techniques; implication and challenges of international marketing; case studies; project management principles, design process stages and quality control.
Cognitive Ergonomics in Design
Main topics include: introduction to cognitive ergonomics; models of human performance; mental models; situation awareness; mental workload; stress; skill; automation; usability; human error; accidents.
Virtual Modelling in Design
Main topics include: human body modelling; human motion simulation; ergonomics/biomechanics analysis using virtual human; application of digital human in product design.
Ergonomics Tools in the Design Process
Main topics include: introduction to methods and techniques; human factors integration and the design life cycle; methodology for selecting ergonomics methods; validity, reliability and cost-benefit of methods; data collection techniques; data representation techniques (hierarchical task analysis, cognitive work analysis; data analysis techniques.
Inclusive Design
Main topics include: introduction to inclusive design; principles of inclusive design; inclusive design process; user models, user capability data; basic user research methods; introduction to design exclusion; design exclusion audit; product assessment methods; case studies (product design, environmental design, communication design, transport design); design research methodology.
Design of Perception Enhancement Systems
Main topics include: an introduction to perception enhancement systems; human sensory systems; vision; hearing; somatic perception; proprioception; psychophysics; sound loudness; sound quality; auditory communication; whole-body vibration; hand-arm vibration; audio mastering; hearing aids; auditory scene analysis; information theory and automotive perception enhancement systems.
Research Methodology and Innovation
This element involves 3 key themes: Practical research issues; including research processes and strategies, researcher/supervisor roles and relationships, writing, communicating and disseminating research and principles of good research practice. Information retrieval and risk management; including risk analysis and decision support, financial indicators. Innovation; including brainstorming, value engineering and intellectual property protection.
Dissertation
Enables students to apply the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the taught programme. Topics will be offered from internal or external (industrial) projects to provide students with experience of ‘live’ research. If an external project is chosen, a suitable industrial supervisor will also be identified.
Areas include:
- transport ergonomics;
- command and control;
- augmented cognition;
- inclusive design;
- information architecture;
- human factors integration.
Why choose the course and Brunel:
- High employability after graduation
- High league table standing – Design rated 2nd in UK, The Guardian 2009
- Accreditation – Ergonomics Society
- Brunel Excellent location – 17 mile to the west of London and 15 minutes car drive from London Heathrow Airport
Visit the course website for more information and entry requirements.
