Module overview
This module will cover the main aspects of developing and executing a business proposition and plan within the creative industries. You will also be guided in the use free apps based on the Business Canvas to make you more competent at developing a plan for your own business.
This optional core module is designed to broaden your studies and provide you with an interdisciplinary learning experience with peers from a range of art and design subjects. The module will provide you with new perspectives and introduce you to themes and practices that can be critically explored to inform your ongoing development, interests and skills.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- use a wide range of information sources, databases and referencing skills;
- manage your time effectively.
- clearly communicate business data and information;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- techniques to develop creative businesses;
- academic theoretical frameworks pertaining to business development;
- formulate a business proposal with an appropriate rationale.
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- apply critical thinking and be able to select from a range of business ideas;
- evaluate ideas from cross-disciplinary perspectives to inform the development of a creative business plan.
Syllabus
Indicative content for this module may include:
- Understanding the growth and development of the creative sector
- Creative techniques in developing a business idea
- Design thinking for a business product/service
- Creating a digital brand identity
- The role of IP in protecting ideas versus Creative Commons
- Half day Business Simulation
- Funding a Business/Crowdfunding
- Types of business formats
- Freelancing
- Understanding basic finance
- Developing a business plan
- Understanding your personality profile
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include:
- lectures;
- case studies;
- seminars;
- Business Simulation;
- use of apps.
Learning activities include:
- seminars;
- group problem solving and brain storming;
- team activities;
- use of apps.
Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the learning outcomes:
Lecture material for each topic will be uploaded on to Blackboard on a session-by-session basis, which will include an outline of the lecture, learning outcomes, copies of any power point slides, essential reading and suggested further reading and preparation for end of course module assessment.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 16 |
| Follow-up work | 20 |
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 50 |
| Tutorial | 3 |
| Seminar | 5 |
| Wider reading or practice | 56 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
A source for what is happening in the UK and recent papers published about the creative industries.
A good resource in understanding the role of education in the design and creative industries.
Textbooks
The Open University (2016). Design Thinking.
Ronald Kay (2012). Managing Creativity in Science and Hi-Tech.
Alexander Osterwalder , Yves Pigneur, Gregory Bernarda , Alan Smith, Trish Papadakos (2014). Value Proposition Design: How to Create Products and Services Customers Want (Strategyzer). John Wiley and Sons.
Vaughan Evans (2015). FT The FT Essential Guide to Writing a Business Plan: How to win backing to start up or grow your business.
Judkins, R (2015). The Art of Creative Thinking. Hodder and Stoughton.
Chris Bilton (2006). Management and Creativity: From Creative Industries to Creative Management.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Outline
- Assessment Type: Formative
- Feedback: Formative assessment (not graded) 500 word outline of the business plan with written feedback. Multiple choice quiz.
- Final Assessment: No
- Group Work: No
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Business plan | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Business plan | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Business plan | 100% |