GD6017 - Self-initiated Briefs 2

This module offers you the opportunity to do a passion project, develop an existing project or interest or to focus on an area of practice you think will be beneficial to your future employment or study ambitions.



This module gives you the opportunity to explore multifaceted solutions should you choose to. Solutions can cross audience touch points, utilising physical and digital applications. The self-initiated option to the brief allows you to explore areas and subjects of graphic design that are of particular interest to you or strategic to your career ambitions, i.e. competition briefs set by industry individuals or design agencies.

You will use and deploy the strategies you have learned to generate and identify appropriate creative responses and to help you independently evaluate and develop your work to a professional standard.



You will learn through a series of activities including workshops and studio-based critiques. You will be responsible for managing your workload and for driving the project forward. This structure will challenge thinking around process and practice whilst opening new, authentic and efficient ways to operate as a designer.



You will be supported through the module by technical staff who will provide specific intermediate support in:

Technical demonstration and support in the Adobe Creative Cloud tools depending on the needs of the module brief. (This could include InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, Dimensions, , Firefly, Premier Pro, After Effects, XD, as well as other 2-D and 3-D visualisation software and techniques)

Access and support to making, finishing, prototyping, model making, book binding, physical 3-D visualisation techniques and finishes.

Studio Photography, lighting, creative techniques and image creation.



Technical staff will provide specialist workshops and on-going consultancy support throughout the module. You will also have access to the technical resource centre who can loan you any specialist equipment needed for your project outcome.

 

You will continually develop a professional and intellectual understanding of your role as a contemporary graphic designer through the authentic experience of reflection, presentation and creative process, mirroring industry practice and intellectual processes.

Support and feedback will be provided throughout the module.

Staff contact

Module tutors will provide academic support.

Informal staff-student critiques will help you to discuss, understand, develop and inform design project specifics in a collaborative way.

Formal group critiques, mirroring industry practice allow for detailed project critique, evaluation and feedback on the development of the creative responses.

Project requirements are normally introduced via a briefing session, where the module will be fully explained.

Blackboard will be used to communicate all relevant module information, updates or modifications.



Studio contact time

Delivery is through a blend of lectures, studio-based critiques, practical demonstrations and independent learning.

Studio culture is an important aspect of your development. It also mirrors industry practice.

Independent study hours should be utilised to continue the development and progression of your studio-based practice.



Peer and independent support

Studio culture and independent study also supports personal development and fosters an appreciation and evaluation of your own and your peer’s working practices.

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)

Knowledge & Understanding:

Show advanced critical understanding and contextual awareness surrounding design research and reflection through creative higher-level graphic design practice.

(KU 2)


Evidence insights, judgement and expertise in the application of craft and digital technologies to produce ambitious graphic design solutions to designated self-defined or self-selected problems/challenges.

(KU 3,4)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Demonstrate professional-level awareness and use of advanced skills, materials and technologies to communicate novel and accomplished graphic design solutions.
(IPSA 2)



Demonstrate higher-level intellectual expertise in the identification, formulation, and realisation of professional level responses to a self-initiated graphic design brief.

(IPSA 1–3)



Personal Values Attributes:

Demonstrate professional use of materials, appropriate methodologies/technologies, with cultural awareness, in the creation and presentation of ambitious graphic design solutions.

(PVA 1,3)

Evaluate self-directed project selection, creation and management skills to a professional level, both aesthetically and conceptually.

(PVA 2)

The assessment and feedback strategy is:

a. Formative assessment

You will receive verbal formative feedback both individually and in groups throughout the module. This feedback will facilitate the development of your assignment. This feedback will allow you to reflect upon your own work and act upon feedback prior to final submission.



b. Summative assessment

The summative assessment is a physical and digital portfolio comprising one or more design briefs. The brief(s) stipulate(s) outcome dimensions, format, and extent or equivalents.

N/A

N/A

You will engage with intellectually stimulating and complex professional live briefs – projects set by industry professionals, professional bodies, or related organisations. As you move towards your careers as graphic design practitioner this module helps you develop a professional and intellectual stimulating portfolio of graphic design work. It also offers you the opportunity to be awarded, commended or otherwise recognised in a professional capacity.



The module will enable you to explore, develop and demonstrate an advanced knowledge of graphic design processes and conceptual thinking and visual problem solving. It will give you the opportunity to engage with authentic and intellectually stimulating professional live briefs – projects set by industry professionals, professional bodies, or related organisations. These briefs will cover a range of areas within graphic design, giving you the opportunity to showcase the knowledge, skills and interests you have developed on the programme and aspirations you may have for your future career or further study.



This module offers you the opportunity to showcase yourself to the industry and to think strategically about the kind of work you want in your portfolio and they kind of designer you want to be.



The module will foster a deep understanding of intellectual and visual problem solving within the context of graphic design.



You will continue to develop a professional and intellectual understanding of the creative processes through an authentic experience of reflection, development and presentation, mirroring industry practice.



You will select an assignment from a range of ‘live briefs’ set by industry professionals, professional bodies or related organisations or take the opportunity to develop an area of personal interest and develop build on a self-initiated project.