Ravensbourne’s MSc Applied Technologies is a unique opportunity to explore and develop ideas using the fast-evolving technologies that are set to become one of the most significant developments of the 21st century.
Pushing the boundaries
The course encourages a collaborative approach across a diverse range of disciplines with a focus on challenging the equipment and developing projects that push the boundaries of what can be expected from it.
A creative, critical approach to the technology at this important stage in its industrial application will put students into a unique, specialist position, allowing them to create their own niche in their industry.
What will I learn?
Postgraduate students at Ravensbourne are expected to be increasingly self-directed in their acquisition of knowledge, personal development and the realisation of their projects as they progress through the course.
From the start of the course students will begin conceptualising an idea or area for creative exploration – this will gradually be developed into a learning plan that leads as a spine through their subsequent studies.
Students will then be supported in progressing this idea through a series of four to five week learning cycles, consisting of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.
Learning is divided into five core units in total, with three learning cycles in each (with the exception of the major project):
The core units:
- Research Process
Develop the skills in self reflection and planning needed to undertake an advanced degree in a creative discipline. This unit provides students with the advanced theoretical knowledge and academic research skills needed to develop an idea. The unit fosters an intellectually and creatively stimulating postgraduate community in which students have the opportunity to interact with, learn from and collaborate with other advanced students from distinct but related subject areas.
- Technology Issues, and Concept and Prototyping
These two complementary units are designed to develop students’ creative practice to the advanced level needed to undertake a major independent programme of creative experimentation and to realise a major independent project.
These units concentrate on innovative approaches in creative production and problem solving. Students develop advanced skills in the conceptualisation and planning of a creative project using interactive digital media.
Students learn to prototype, test and communicate their ideas. At this stage, ideas, concepts and prototypes are subject to critique from tutors, their peers and external professionals, and students learn how to evaluate the outcomes of their work and incorporate this in the further development of their projects.
Business and Innovation
Develop the commercial and entrepreneurial skills needed to turn design innovation into viable product development or a sustainable enterprise. Students acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the business models prevalent in the contemporary creative industries and gain an understanding of areas such as marketing, business planning and how to source enterprise capital or development funding.
Major Project
The Major Project unit is the final stage of the course and represents a consolidation of the student’s learning. The unit comprises a sustained and intensive period of independent creative practice and research, when students will push the technology to its limits.
Who is it for?
The potential applications for these exciting new technologies are endless, and we believe the range of people who could benefit from pushing the boundaries of rapid prototyping is just as boundless.
- You might be an artist wanting to pioneer the use of 3D-printing as an art form.
- You might be an engineer looking to create your own niche industry.
- You might be an entrepreneurial product designer looking to become an industry leader.
- You might be an archeologist wanting to develop a new conservation method.
- Or perhaps you are just passionate about rapid prototyping and want to be sure you’re at the forefront when it really takes off?
The MSc in Applied Technologies team welcomes enthusiastic individuals from all industries and backgrounds who share their passion for pushing the boundaries of these exciting new technologies. You do not need to be an expert in 3D printing to get involved in this exciting new work.
Teaching
While the development of knowledge, understanding and skills will be supported by lectures, seminars, workshops and individual tutorials, the main vehicle for the delivery of the course will be through independent and collaborative projects.
You will be supported in their learning through a series of four to five week learning cycles, involving lectures, workshops, seminars and individual tutorials. Each stage culminates with peer review and formative assessment, followed by an academic tutorial from the third learning cycle.
Through this cyclical approach, you will receive valuable feedback on a regular basis which can then be digested and reflected on. The process allows you to be highly experimental but in a relatively structured framework that requires reflection, review and planning.
Initial learning cycles are more bespoke and aim to engage you with a broad range of new technologies and techniques, but incrementally focus on each student’s individual studies and requiring them to develop research, planning, experimentation and reflection skills.
Click here for the full programme specification.
Assessment
In addition to feedback from tutors and peers at the end of each learning cycle, you will be assessed through essays, reports and individual and group presentations.
Laptops
You are required to own or have access to a laptop from the beginning of your studies. Laptops are an essential tool to support personalised learning and give you access, when and where you want it, to many of the creative tools and educational resources you will encounter during your studies.
Laptops are used extensively in all of our courses. You will need one to access our network, and to research, communicate and collaborate during your studies.
Available equipment includes:
Steam Irons x4
Mimaki TX2 Fabric Printer x3
SmartPrint Software
Steamjet 1
Transmatic 7360 Rotary Transfer Press
Heat Press TM150
Brother 3-Thread Overlocker x3
Brother 4-Thread Overlocker
Brother Industrial Lockstitch Sewing Machine x19
Bernina Artista 630E Sewing Machine x12
Bernina Designer Plus Software
Susuki Industrial Key Hole Buttonhole Machine
Kansai Industrial Cover Stitch
Kansai Industrial Split Tube Binder
Silver Reed SK840 Knitting Machine x15
Yarn Winder – Desktop
Linker
Amaya XT Embroidery Machine
Dummies/Stands, Small Desktop Dummies
Washing Machines x2
Tumble Dryers x2
Fusing Press
Drying Rails x10
A3 Light Boxes – Glass
Spotwelder
Axminster Disc Sanders – 300mm x2
Axminster Bobbin Sanders
Axminster SIEG Z3 Pillar Drill x2
Strip Heater/ Bender Model 500
Strip Heater/ Bender Model 600
Formech 660 Vacformer
Hot wire Cutters x2
Bosch Table Saw TS1000
Axminster Mitre Saw 10083
Axminster Planer WP150
Axminster Wood Turning Lathe
Axminster Thicknesser CT330
Hegner Fretsaw x2
Jet JWBS-20Q Bandsaw x2
Roland MDX 540 CNC 4 axis mill
Roland MDX 20 CNC 3 Axis mill
Roland Picza Scanner
Artec MHT Optical handheld scanner inc. texture capture
Microscribe MLX scanner
Zund M800 Plotter cutter
Zcorp 450 3D Printer
Hobarts PLS660 Laser Cutters x2
Benchtop Spraybooths x4
Anarkik 3D Modeller with haptic feedback and Cloud9 software
Dimension uPrint 3D Printer
