The aim of this module is to develop understanding of the role of the designer and enable students to contextualise their personal design vision and ambition. This includes developing understanding of how to present work in a dynamic and appropriate manner and equipping students with the ability to develop and express opinions and adopt different perspectives in relation to a range of issues and contexts (social, commercial, cultural, environmental and political). The emphasis in this module is on developing knowledge, awareness and a growing confidence in articulating ideas verbally and visually and includes the design of a positioning portfolio in preparation for Level 6.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through studio-based projects and seminar sessions that will include portfolio reviews, workshops, subject-specific talks and lectures by visiting industry practitioners. Group tutorials and critiques will take place alongside individual progress tutorials. Independent industry/studio visits will run throughout the year. Students are expected to undertake self-directed study and to develop work independently following formative feedback and to access specialist areas as appropriate.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Taught studio projects, seminars, reviews, crits and tutorials | 100 |
| Guided independent study | Self-directed study | 200 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Projects and development work, seminar presentations, project logs and self-evaluations are formatively assessed in crits and project reviews throughout the module when the students receive feedback on work produced and feed forward on work in progress. Project work is submitted and summatively assessed at the end of Level 5, in teaching block 2, during the summer term.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Create work that demonstrates understanding of how design functions in different contexts and in relation to varied audiences | Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in project work submitted at the end of the module |
| 2) Demonstrate consideration of the direct impact and wider implications of their decision making and design solutions | Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in project work submitted at the end of the module |
| 3) Demonstrate a self-reflective approach to their work, including awareness and understanding of current industry practices, debates and future directions | Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in project work submitted at the end of the module |
| 4) Demonstrate effective and appropriate presentation of their work – including refining, editing, selecting and production – across a range of platforms | Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in project work submitted at the end of the module |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Studio projects | 100% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Berman, D.(2008) Do Good Design: How Design Can Change Our World, Peachpit Press
Ed. Brook, T & Shaughnessy, A. (2009) Studio Culture, Unit Editions
McCormack, L.(2006) Designers are Wankers, About Face Publishing
Mau, B. (2004) Massive Change: A Manifesto for Future Global Design Culture, Phiadon Press
Pipes, A. (2009) Production for Graphic Designers, Laurence King
Poynor, R. (2006) Designing Pornotopia: Travels in Visual Culture, Laurence King
Roberts, L. (2006) Good: An introduction to ethics in Graphic Design, AVA Academia
Gladwell, M. (2006) Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, Penguin
Sagmeister, S. (2008)Things I have Learned in My Life So Far, Harry N Abrams
Sudjic, D. (2009) The Language of Things: Design, Luxury, Fashion, Art: How we are seduced by the objects around us, Penguin
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