Design management education and work-based learning

This article explores the high level of design management skills that can be acquired through work-based learning. Design domain work-based learning in business environments is described from the authors’ research and experience in operating work-based learning contracts within a master’s degree in Design Management at Birmingham Institute of Art and Design. The authors’ research was based on a sample of (work-based, learning contract) students’ experiences over five years and involved the analysis of work submitted for assessment, with a view to evidencing the level of acquisition of key design management skills. A quantitative analysis of students’ achievement is described, followed by a qualitative description of work-based learning within their companies. From the research evidence, a core of design management skills was detected within the work-based experience.