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Concept and Challenge

  • Module code: GD4001
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 4
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module focuses on the generation of concepts and ideas. The aim of the module is to develop conceptual ability and creative confidence in responding to a range of design and communication challenges. It introduces students to different ways of thinking and generating ideas, with emphasis on currency, appropriateness and dynamism of approach and solution. Project briefs encourage students to expand their knowledge and experiences, challenge assumptions, subvert norms and learn about the role of risk within the creative process.

Aims

  • To introduce students to a range of methods and approaches for generating and developing ideas and concepts
  • To develop understanding of alternative thinking
  • To develop understanding of risk taking as part of the creative process
  • To develop skill and understanding in how to interpret and communicate ideas visually in a dynamic way

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate understanding of how to generate, visualise and evaluate ideas
  • Demonstrate conceptual development across the range of module briefs
  • Demonstrate confidence in adopting different ways of thinking and creative risk taking
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret and communicate ideas to an audience effectively and dynamically.

Curriculum content

  • The introduction of studio practice and culture as relates to design
  • Developing innovative idea generation and design thinking
  • Developing an understanding of design ideas in context
  • Software skills

Teaching and learning strategy

Teaching will be delivered through studio-based briefs and workshops, individual and group tutorials and seminar sessions alongside subject-specific talks. Students are expected to undertake self-initiated briefs and self-directed study and to develop project work independently following formative feedback. Specialist workshop access as appropriate to projects. 

The module will make use of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Canvas for communication and dissemination of information between students and staff as well as making online learning materials available to all. Students should check this site on a daily basis for module information, timetables, sign-ups, updates and additional information and teaching materials following individual project sessions.

All courses based in the Kingston School of Art offer students free access to the online video tutorial platform Lynda.com. This provides a wide range of subjects to choose from, many with downloadable exercise files, including software tutorials covering photography, graphics, web design, audio and music, CAD and Microsoft Office software, as well as courses on Business and Management skills. Some of these are embedded in the curriculum and offer additional self-paced learning, others may be taken at will by students wishing to broaden their employability skills in other areas.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Studio-based projects, workshops, seminars, crits reviews, tutorials 180
Guided independent study Self-directed research and independent project development in response to formative feedback 120
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Projects and development work are formatively assessed in crits and project reviews throughout the module when students receive feedback on work produced and feed forward on work in progress. Students are given opportunity and expected to develop their projects in response to formative feedback/feed forward as the module progresses. Project work is submitted and summatively assessed at the end of Level 4, in teaching block 2, during the summer term.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) Demonstrate understanding of how to generate, visualise and evaluate ideas Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in the submission of work at the end of the module
2) Demonstrate conceptual development across the range of module briefs Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in the submission of work at the end of the module
3) Demonstrate confidence in adopting different ways of thinking and creative risk taking Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in the submission of work at the end of the module
4) Demonstrate the ability to interpret and communicate ideas to an audience effectively and dynamically. Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in the submission of work at the end of the module

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Studio projects Coursework 100%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It IS a requirement that the element of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Arden, P. (2006) Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite. Penguin

Bennett, A. (2006). Design Studies: Theory and Research in Graphic Design. Princeton Architectural Press

Fletcher, A. (2001) The Art of Looking Sideways. Phaidon Press Ltd

Johnson, M. (2012) Problem Solved: A Primer in Design and Communications, 2nd Edition. Phaidon Press Ltd

Saatchi, C (2011) Brutal Simplicity of Thought: How it changed the World. Ebury Press

Ambrose, G and Harris, P (2006) The Visual Dictionary of Graphic Design. AVA Publishing

Bibliography recommended reading

Arden, P. (2003) It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be. Penguin

Crow, D. (2006) Left to Right: The Cultural Shift from Words to Pictures. AVA Publishing

Poynor, R. (2003) No More Rules: Graphic Design and Postmodernism. Laurence King

Ingledew, J. (2011) The A to Z of Visual Ideas: How to solve any Creative Brief. Laurence King Publishing

KesselsKramer (2003) 2 Kilo of Kessels Kramer. PIE Books

KesselsKramer (2010) New Kilo of Kessel Kramer. PIE Books

Websites

TED Talks

Droog Lab

Jon Ronson On

New York Times Arts

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