DE4009 - Communicating Design

You may learn through studio, workshop and independent learning. A series of practical exercises will focus on developing your communication skills in various media and will become progressively more demanding. These exercises will introduce you to relevant core industrial standard techniques (such as sketching), software (such as Adobe Creative Suite), and machines (such as a laser cutter).

You will work on these exercises both independently and in tutor guided studio, workshop, computer lab sessions or online delivery through streamed / video workshop activity or demonstrations. Spending time in the studio and workshop environments (equip with industry standard machines and software) is integral to the learning process of this module, as it encourages the engagement/construction of a creative collaborative community with your tutors and peers.

Hands-on participation and the exploration of physical and digital skills and processes will enable you to have greater confidence in developing and displaying evidence of your creative process. Experimental learning, through both success and failure, will help to build independence and confidence in the various environments (Physical and Digital).

This module is supported by staff with specialism in studio, lab and workshop-based activity, along with online virtual delivery methods; video tutorials and demonstrations. They will provide a combination of formally taught sessions and informal studio sessions. Studio sessions present you with the opportunity to benefit from on-going feedback from both tutors and peers throughout a project assignment. Where studio/workshop sessions are unavailable, online virtual environments will be used or streamed workshop activities (individually and/or peer groups.)

It is expected that you will also undertake independent learning to support your progress in this module, reflecting on and making constructive use of the feedback you receive. Learning through creative playing and experimentation, in both the physical and digital environments.

There are dedicated Mac/PC Labs equipped with the latest relevant software, workshops spaces with dedicated technical staff, and adaptable studio spaces that all provide a suitable learning environment for this module.

Supporting materials, such as lecture slides, module guides, assignment briefs, and references to additional learning resources will all be provided via the eLearning portal. Appropriate digital submissions of particular assignments will allow for efficient and effective communication in the review of work and delivery of feedback.

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

MK4.5 – Understand the fundamental principles of using digital, physical and mechanical design tools safely, appropriately, responsibly or ethically.

Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities

MI4.5 – Demonstrate the suitable application of digital, physical and mechanical design tools in the pursuit of concept generation, presentation or evaluation.

MI4.6 – Operate machinery and technology safely with proficiency, due care and attention.

Personal Value Attributes

MP4.5 – Consider professional standards in Industrial Design and how your own work is improving to meet those standards.

You will undergo a series of practical assignments, containing a number of individual projects within them, throughout the year.

Each project will be introduced with its own brief designed to stimulate and challenge your practical skills so that you can achieve the learning outcomes. Each brief will clearly set out the task requirments and identify the criteria against which it will be marked.

Tutors will review your work created at the end of these assignments and give you feedback on the strengths and weaknesses that are evident, as well as areas that require improvement.

The summative assessment for this module is based on your combined collection of assignments over semester 1 and semester 2.

The summative assessments will be a split 50/50 between semester 1 and 2, broken down as follows: Semester 1, 15% Physical Model Making Assignment(s), 15% Visual Communicating Assignment(s) and 20% Digital Skills Assignment(s). Semester 2, 25% Physical Model Making Assignment(s), 25% Visual Communication Assignment(s).

Summative feedback will be provided for each assignment (containing a group of projects), a written / verbal review of how well you have met the learning outcomes and offer guidance on how to make improvements.

Formative feedback will be offered during timetabled sessions to support your completion of the exercises. These will be offered either in studio / workshop or via online virtual delivery methods such as Blackboard Collaborate or Teams etc.

The module will conclude at the end of the year with a similar formative review of the work and feedback. This is normally done in an exhibition format so that you can gain an appreciation of the standard of work across the whole cohort in relation to your own work. If an exhibition is not feasible then individual feedback will be given through virtual delivery methods such as Blackboard Collaborate or Teams etc.

You will be encouraged to reflect on your own performance and learning in order to develop your ability to critically evaluate your own design communication skills.

None

DE4007 - Industrial Design Foundation
DE4008 - Design History, Theory & Context

You will be introduced to and start to develop a range of core essential practical design skills for the development and communication of design concepts. These skills will comprise both physical and digital production techniques and processes.

You will acquire and develop knowledge of correct techniques and practices so that you are able to select and apply appropriate skills both within this module and your design practice in other modules. You will be given an induction into the safe use of machinery and professional working practices within a workshop, studio, computer lab environment and online streamed / video workshop activity or demonstrations. You will undertake a range of tasks in physical and digital mediums to communicate design intent to others (tutors and peers).

You will build your competence and confidence in your design making and communication skills, whilst developing an experimental approach.

Practical exercises will reflect contemporary design skills and techniques and will include, but are not limited to:
• Visualisation techniques including sketching
• Design software techniques
• Making skills including model making