DE6005 - Major Design Study

This module, the subject matter of which is self-determined, places an emphasis on you taking responsibility for the study undertaken. By negotiating the content of the Major Design Study with academic staff at the outset of the academic year and with regular one to one tutorials throughout the course of the module you will be prompted to hone existing and develop new employability skills of enterprise, flexibility and resourcefulness and reflect on the requirements of the project as they emerge. You will learn by evaluating your actions and articulating thoughtful responses to the feedback you get along the way.

This module is supported by tutor-led studio critiques, peer review sessions and one to one tutorials with academic staff. You will be supported with timetabled academic support both in the studio and workshop environment. Indeed the nature of a design and make project requires the workshop to be not just a place for a mechanical realisation of concepts but a venue for robust discussion with direct reference to work in progress.

In addition to the timetabled slots with academic staff the important workshop aspects of the module are supported by dedicated technical staff based in the 3d workshops.

The module is supported by a specific virtual learning environment (eLearning Portal) where you will find all the relevant documentation (briefs, module guides, assessment requirements etc.) The digital submission of interim works for tutorial guidance and formative assessment allows for expedient communication and the effective review of work whilst also utilising industry standard 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)

Effectively utilise making skills in the development of your design practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

? Effectively use media and advanced model making techniques to accurately communicate concepts and solutions as evidenced through the project portfolio.
? Demonstrate sophisticated skill in the creation of design solutions to highly creative standards.

Personal Values Attributes:

? Show enterprise and entrepreneurship in addressing opportunities and challenges.
? Engage autonomously in your studies, requiring minimal supervision to achieve outcomes.

Assessment will be conducted through;

Interim critiques and individual tutorials provide regular formative feedback as part of the module’s teaching and learning strategy.

The submission of a Contextual Review and briefing document is a Pass/ Fail summative assessment point at the end of semester 1. The feedback is written and via 1:1 tutorial.

The Major Design Study is summatively assessed via the submission of a project portfolio. Summative feedback is written and via 1:1 tutorials.

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The module offers you the opportunity to combine your design and making skills in the development and presentation of a Major Design Study that should demonstrate an ambitious and insightful response to an identified opportunity in the contemporary world.

Whilst the nature of the project’s content is ultimately defined by you, this studio and workshop based module will require the negotiated content of the major study to contain an engagement with the complex issues that surround designing, developing and manufacturing economically, culturally, technologically, socially and aesthetically relevant 3d products.