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Design Interactions and Innovations

  • Module code: GD5002
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 5
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

The aim of the module is to explore different modes of communication and dissemination. The focus is on the interactive nature of graphic design and visual communications, with emphasis on the way in which designers engage audiences and participators in their practice. The projects in this module encourage students to experiment, embrace risk and develop innovative approaches and solutions. They introduce students to strategies for extended research and collaboration and develop interpersonal and communication skills. The module requires students to consider how their ideas can be meaningfully applied in appropriate contexts and to relevant audiences. It includes opportunities for students to develop interdisciplinary projects and explore the possibilities of participatory practice.

Aims

  • To develop understanding of different modes of communication and dissemination
  • To explore how design can engage and involve audiences and participants
  • To encourage innovation, exploration and dissemination of ideas
  • To develop understanding of how design functions through application and in context

Learning outcomes

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

  • Demonstrate ability and understanding in the research, analysis and development of how to effectively communicate and appropriately disseminate ideas/messages
  • Engage, involve and collaborate with audiences, end-users and participants
  • Demonstrate a proactive approach to extending, experimenting and exploring ideas, embracing creative risks and seeking innovative approaches and solutions
  • Demonstrate judgement and understanding of the application of ideas/messages in context

Curriculum content

  • Specialist workshops and talks are integrated into studio projects to encourage innovative strategies and responses
  • Communication methods extended and tested from level 4 to encompass wide-ranging media and audiences
  • Technical and practical facilities and tuition provided to support a meaningful application of ideas
  • Collaborative and self-directed viewpoints developed in a studio environment with the support of tuition and professional guidance

Teaching and learning strategy

Teaching will be delivered through studio-based projects, seminar sessions and workshops. Group tutorials and critiques will take place alongside individual progress tutorials. Students are expected to undertake self-directed study and to develop work independently following formative feedback and to access specialist areas as appropriate. 

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, research and development work are formatively assessed in crits and project reviews throughout the module. Students will be given opportunity and are expected to develop work in response to formative feedback/feed forward. Project work is submitted and summatively assessed at the end of Level 5, in teaching block 2, during the summer term.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
1) Demonstrate ability and understanding in the research, analysis and development of how to effectively communicate and disseminate ideas/messages 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) Engage, involve and collaborate with audiences, end-users and participants 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 proactive approach to extending, experimenting and exploring ideas, embracing creative risks and seeking innovative approaches and 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
4) Demonstrate judgement and understanding of the application of ideas/messages in context Formatively assessed through project reviews, crits and project logs throughout the module / Summatively assessed in project work submitted at the end of the module

Elements of Assessment

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

Achieving a pass

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

Bibliography core texts

Armstrong, H and Stojmirovic, Z. (2011). Participate (designing with user generated content). Princeton Architectural Press

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

John Clarkson, P. Coleman, R. Keates, S. (2003) Inclusive Design: Design for the whole population. Springer

Moggridge, B. (2007). Designing Interactions. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press. 

Norman, D. (2002). The Design of Everyday Things. New York: Basic Books. 

Shea, A, Lupton, E and Drenttel, W. (2012). Design for social Change: Strategies for Community-Based Graphic Design. Princeton Architectural Press

Bibliography recommended reading

Crow, D (2010) Visible Signs an introduction to semiotics in the visual arts 2nd ed. AVA

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

Klanten, R. (2011). A Touch of Code : interactive installations and experiences. Berlin: Gestalten. 

Parsons, T. (2009). Thinking: Objects. AVA Academia

Smet, C & De Bondt, S. (2012). Graphic Design: History in the Writing  (1984-2011). S.l: Occasional Papers. 

Websites

Droog Lab

Eye

IDEO

TED talks

The Atlantic

The New Aesthetic

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