Degree of Information Systems Design at South Bank University United Kingdom
Information systems are mechanisms consciously designed help people achieve their goals. The purpose of information systems design is to achieve a good fit between the social needs and technical aspects of any purposeful human activity. Good designs are ‘transparent’; people don’t see the system rather the system becomes an extension of the user, enhancing them by making their tasks easier, quicker and more accurate and never getting in the way. Exceptional designs are also elegant and life enhancing.
Becoming a master of information systems design is a process that starts in the first year through developing a familiarity of the basic tools with which systems are built and an understanding of the wider context of business and commercial organisations that they serve.
At level two competences in tool use is increased through techniques of analysis and design and deepened with practice in detailed database design. While understanding of context is focused through evaluating software development tools and management information systems.
By the time they encounter the more advanced methods of information management and designing decision support systems at level 4 the apprentice systems designer is reaching journeyman status and ready to start practicing ‘in the real world’ a process that they engage in extensively through their final year project.