module specification

Together with the Major Project Realisation module, this module is intended to prepare 3D Design students for independent practice, entry into the professional workplace, or for higher studies.

Through synthesis of knowledge of processes and principles, using an appropriate range of intellectual, creative and practical skills, you will design and develop a self-directed project, relevant to your discipline. This will naturally require in-depth research, a well-constructed design & making process, and the exercise of practical and thinking skills, resulting in a significant body of creative work for public exhibition.

A negotiated and approved proposal will confirm your individual project. Using creative exploration and experimentation, you will develop research, concept development, material investigation, sampling, modelling or prototyping and visualisation. The final outcome will be produced in Major Project Realisation.

The module will ensure that you critique and reflect upon your own work, the professional standards of your discipline and your position in your creative sector. The module emphasizes self-direction and personal focus whilst acknowledging external and professional expectations and constraints.

Pass & Completion of Prior Level

This module seeks to enable you to;

• Select or devise and conduct a comprehensive 3d design project resulting in a significant body of work displaying the synthesis of your conceptual and technical skills within the final presentation
• Demonstrate your ability to determine the required 3d design and making research and construct a research and development process suitable for successful completion of the project
• Affirm your creative identity as you enter your professional field and indicate your sense of your future direction and position including in the context of principal and ethical issues
• Evidence self-management of the design project in respect of planning, monitoring, recording and evaluation

The module will provide opportunities to learn;

• problem exploration and definition
• construction and  conduct  of research programmes
• project research and development in professional context
• presentation and defence of proposals to a professional standard
• refinement and presentation of personal professional creative identity
• articulation of position in discipline context

Projects will seek to enable a range of learning opportunities such as;

• formative feedback from industry-specialist staff
• self-directed and managed study and practice
• live critique and creative feedback from peers
• online forum to share progress and support
• advanced visual and material experimentation
• specialised publication, presentation or exhibition practice

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding
Present and convincingly defend your design and making process and outcomes, demonstrating critical self-reflection and clear understanding of the professional and ethical context and presentation requirements for your work

Cognitive Intellectual Skills
Manage and continuously evaluate the project development process in the context of complex and changing problems, aware of the professional standards required for graduate practice

Transferable Skills
Identify a design problem or situation requiring analysis and resolution, providing a rationale for your choice and decisions and construct a viable project proposal appropriate to your discipline

Subject Specific Practical Skills
Design and undertake a sustained 3D design development process using an appropriate range of resources, techniques, materials, media and discipline-specific knowledge, developing a personal design identity and articulating your creative direction

At regular critiques or tutorials, students are expected to produce a coherent account of their design & making project in progress, together with critical evaluation of successes and issues for further research, development or revision. Formative feedback will be given in response to the project plan.

All students are required to undertake formal interim presentations with evidence of continuous reflective journals responding to studio critique and tutorial guidance. Work presented will be subject to formal studio feedback from a panel of disciplinary specialists. This will inform final assessment marks and must be considered and acted upon by the student.

The final mark is given at the end of the module, following assessment of a comprehensive portfolio of all relevant developmental and presentation work and the final proposal itself. Work must be carefully organized and presented to indicate the development of work and the content clearly labeled. Students are required to attend timetabled studio and workshop sessions.

Boyle, G (2003) Design Project Management, Ashgate Publishing
Cooper, R and Press, M (1994) The Design Agenda, Wiley

Additional texts and other reference materials will be identified by studio tutors annually in support of the specific studio theme.