ARD400 Design Principles

MODULE SPECIFICATION FORM

Module Title:

Design Principles

ARD400

Module code: (if known)

Level:

Cost Centre:

Semester(s) in which to be offered:

1

Office use only: To be completed by AQSU:

Existing/New:

Existing

Originating Academic area:

Credit Value:

JACS2 code:

With effect from:

September 2012

Title of module being replaced (if any):

200 50

Module Leader:

Status: core/option/elective (identify programme where appropriate):

Marisse Mari

Core

150

Placement hours Percentage taught by Subjects other than originating Subject (please name other Subjects):

None

Programme(s) in which to be offered:

N/A

All BA (Hons) Design programmes. FdA in Art and Design FdA in Digital Media Design and Production

Pre-requisites per programme (between levels):

20

V370

Date approved: September 2012 Date revised: March 2013 Version no: 2

Design Communication

Module duration (total hours) Scheduled learning & teaching hours Independent study hours

GADC

4

Module Aims: To introduce students to the philosophical and cultural nature of their subject area – Design. To introduce students to fundamental study and research skills, including familiarity with and effective use of library resources and visual materials. To enable students to develop the ability to read critically and evaluate the relativity of approaches to talking and writing about cultural matters. To encourage the development of interpersonal and communication skills through materials, seminars, oral presentation, essays and other appropriate means. To enable students to critically evaluate, analyse visual and textual material in relation to art and design and their subject area of study.

Expected Learning Outcomes At the end of this module, students should be able to: Knowledge and Understanding: 1. Critically and contextually evaluate, analyse and synthesise appropriate textual, audio and visual materials. 2. Identify relevant and appropriate sources of information. 3. Demonstrate a range of research skills, apply and consider relevant forms and modes of information, including textual and electronic. 4. Recognise and evaluate critical frameworks and concepts in relation to design practice. 5. Identify and appraise significant critical, theoretical and artistic shifts in design with reference to their specific area of study. Transferable/Key Skills and other attributes: Students should develop: Creative thinking. Problem solving skills. Expression of ideas in writing. Ability to retrieve and process information using library databases and other forms of data communication. Independent and self directed learning. Time management and organisational skills.

Assessment: This module will be assessed through the presentation of written assignments, which include examples of visual and text analysis. Assessment will be based on the submission of two written assignments with supporting research diaries at each assessment point. 1. A 1,500- 2,000 word written analytical response to an exhibition/film festival/event/artefact evidencing contextual and critical research of chosen piece. 2. A group research project and 10 minute presentation + a 1,000 word report describing students own research and conclusions in response to the brief, plus research diary / blog.

Assessment number (use as appropriate)

Learning Outcomes to be met

Type of assessment

Weighting

Duration (if exam)

Word count (if course work)

Assessment One:

All (1 – 5)

Essay

50%

N/A

Approx 1,500 – 2,000

Assessment Two:

All (1 – 5)

Group Project

50%

N/A

1,000

Learning and Teaching Strategies: Students will be introduced to the module through a series of lectures and supporting IT, Library and skill workshops. Lectures will be supported by visits to galleries, festivals, exhibitions and museums. Introduction to writing, research skills will be provided throughout the module with group tutorials and briefings on assignments. Information on lectures and additional supporting material will be provided electronically.

Syllabus outline: Rationale This module introduces students to a range of core debates, discussions and practices underpinning the cultural and critical philosophies in contemporary design practice. Historical precedents and paradigms relating to subject specialisms are introduced within the wider context of design discourse. The social and cultural role and impact of design is discussed in relation to the context of technological innovation and its interrelationship with design and studio practice. Emphasis is placed on the development of a critical understanding and analysis of design. Students will be introduced to different approaches of analysing design in relation to their studio practice and subject specialisms. There is an emphasis on research and study skills, with the aim of ensuring that students acquire a working methodology and an understanding of information sources and retrieval. Indicative Content: There will be a formal delivery of lectures with a focus on the definition of design, its content, methods and values. Students will be encouraged to contribute and take part in group seminars, tutorials and supporting visits. Key phases, issues, concepts and themes will be explored so that they can identify and engage in theories that challenge their studio practice.

Bibliography Essential reading: Braungart, M. (2009) Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the way we Make Things, London, Vintage. Mcluhan, M. (2001) Understanding Media, Oxford, Routledge. Papanek, V. (1985) Design for the Real World, Thames and Hudson. Potter, N. (2008) What is a Designer: Things, Places, Messages, Hyphen. Sterling, B. (2005) Shaping Things, MIT. Van Leeuwen, T. (2004) Introducing Social Semiotics: An Introductory Textbook, Routledge. Other indicative reading: Adamson, G. (2007) Thinking Through Craft, Berg. Bennet, T. (2005) New Keywords: A Revised Vocabulary of Culture and Society, Oxford, Blackwell. Butler, J. (2007) Universal Principles of Design, London, Rockport. Chandler, D. (2009) Semiotics, The Basics, Oxford, Routledge. Deyan, S. (2009) The Language of Things, Penguin. Hall, S. (2007) This Means This That Means That: A Users Guide to Semiotics, Laurence King. Julier, G. (2007) The Culture of Design, London, Sage. Lupton, E. Miller, J.A. (2001) The abcs of the Bauhaus and Design Theory, London, Thames & Hudson. McDermott, C. (2007) Design: The Key Concepts, Oxford, Routledge. Norman, D. (2002) The Design of Everyday Things, Basic Books. Roberts, L. (2006) Good: An Introduction to Ethics in Graphic Design, London, Ava. Pramaggiore, M. & Wallis, T. (2011) Film: A Critical Introduction, London, Laurence King Publishing. Sennet, R. (2009) The Craftsman, London, Penguin. Weblinks: http://www.designobserver.com/ http://changeobserver.designobserver.com/ http://www.aiga.org/ http://sustainability.aiga.org/ http://www.ideo.com/work/item/human-centered-design-toolkit/ http://www.design21sdn.com/ http://www.ted.com/ http://www.media.mit.edu/ http://www.good.is/ http://www.eyemagazine.com/ http://gamestudies.org/ Journals and Periodicals: Design Issues, MIT Press Journal of Writing in Creative Practice, Intellect Ltd. Craft Research, Intellect Ltd. Varoom: Illustration, Culture, Society, AOI Eye Magazine, The International review of Graphic Design Human-Computer Interaction, Taylor and Francis, Routledge Press Film Studies Manchester University Press Animation: An Interdisciplinary Journal, Sage Press