DE6030 - Future Practice In Context

The module is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, group supervision, seminars and independent study. By these means, you will have a clear methodology to complete your contextual research project relating to your design problem/setting. The topic of your research should be an area or issue that you wish to contribute to as a designer in your level 6 and beyond and allow you to ethically/responsibly realise and share your research to a professional standard. Tutors will support you in the development of the research report that communicates a a succinct and compelling research story, underpinned by quality sources and driven by engaging information design.

Once your final proposal has been and signed off by the tutor/s you will be allocated a supervisor and seminar group to support your research. You will be expected to independently work through your project following the module’s milestones and actively share insights and questions within your seminar group for constructive feedback. Where possible we will tailor supervisors and seminar groups to support your areas of interest though this might not always be possible.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Level 6



Knowledge & Understanding (K&U):

Show advanced critical understanding, contextual and ethical awareness surrounding research allied to creative practice

Demonstrate confidence in data gathering, research and analysis relevant to your research.



Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities (IPSA) Level 6:

Demonstrate intellectual expertise in the formulation, and realisation of professional publication that effectively communicates your research insights.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural Awareness, Ethics, Curiosity)



Show professionalism through behaviours, skills, ability to work autonomously, demonstrating effective project management and course engagement.

This module will be summatively assessed via:



Research Report (100%):

You will produce a research report (also known as a research deck), that through the confident use of storytelling and data visualisation and or infographics, effectively and sensitively establishes your contemporary design problem/setting and communicates your insights to a professional standard.

(KU01) (KU02) (IPSA01)



This report should be supported by a 500-word appendix containing a personal reflection stating how this project is relevant to your design practice, how it supports your plan for final year and beyond. (PVA01)





Formative feedback will be given throughout the module culminating in a final submission. Formative feedback will be given verbally, whereas summative assessment will be written, giving a marks breakdown of how the submission met the five individual learning outcomes.

N/A

N/A

This module supports you to produce a self-initiated critical and contextual research project that allows you, as a designer, to confidently use design research methods to draw together insights that can be used to support/inform your future design practice.



Unlike traditional theory-based modules that often remain rooted in theory and written discourse for primarily academic dissemination, this module encourages the practical application of research in contemporary professional and research contexts as a stepping stone into your graduate destinations.