DE4033 - Graphic Design History, Theory & Context

You will learn via a combination of staff led lectures and seminars, and active learning through whole peer group and small group collaborative activities, and individual tasks. This combination of activity will support the development of your understanding of historical contexts and socio-cultural issues of the discipline, as well as introduce you to a range of methods related to design research. In the seminars, you will work through activities with your peers that support and (sometimes challenge) the concepts introduced in the lectures. Your tutors and peers will offer formative feedback which will support your growing understanding of your discipline’s heritage, and its contribution to contemporary culture.



You will be expected to put into action some of the new analytic methods that the module will introduce you to. This will be achieved through conducting self-directed research as well as continually developing your critical thinking and reflective writing skills in the workshops. As the module progresses, you will plan and undertake an essay analysing an example of visual communication/graphic design by considering its historio-cultural context and its social and ethical impact. You will deliver your findings in a reflective essay which demonstrates you can communicate the issues around your example visually as well as in the academic written form.

Your tutors will give lectures, run seminar sessions and workshops to support the development of your understanding of key historical, contextual, and theoretical issues in relation to the historical development of visual culture and Graphic Design. You will be introduced to a variety of methods related to design research and given the opportunity to develop your academic written skills through tutor led activity, group exercises and individual tasks. You will be supported in developing an essay assignment through formative feedback by your tutors and through peer critique. Formative feedback will take place throughout the module and you will be given summative feedback by your tutor on your final assignment.

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 (KU):

Understand the historical and cultural role of graphic design and its production and consumption, beginning to locate your own practice in these evolving contexts.

Demonstrate the ability to conduct design research through a variety of methods; analyse the information or experience; and begin to formulate independent judgements.



Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities (IPSA):

Use appropriate methods to locate relevant sources of research and apply personal judgement in assessing, interpreting and presenting the findings.



Personal Values Attributes (Global/Cultural Awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA) Level 4:

Demonstrate your curiosity and enthusiasm for enquiry into the graphic design discipline by purposeful and professional engagement with staff, peers and visitors, demonstrating time management skills.

Use appropriate visual, written and verbal communication skills to professionally present and defend your work

This module will be summatively assessed via:



1 x 1250-word reflective essay including visual sources and evidence of academic referencing, appropriate image captioning and a bibliography. (KU01, KUO2, IPSA01, PVA02, PVA04)



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

N/A

N/A

This module introduces you to visual culture from social, cultural and historical perspectives. It follows the evolution in visual culture towards the digitally mediated and mixed realities of the 21st century. At the same time, you will be introduced to key concepts such as ethics, social responsibility, intersectionality and multiculturalism. You will use develop design research methods skills that will underpin your knowledge and understanding of visual culture. You will learn how to use the University library and its resources to support your understanding of the module and your ongoing individual research.