module specification

The Experience and Environment module is part of the Visual Communication MAs, including the Graphic Design and Illustration courses. On the Experience and Environment module students investigate and design spaces and experiences as part of visual communication. Building on learning about storytelling and narrative students apply an understanding of human responses to character and narrative to propose, design and implement a workshop, event, installation or performance. Students are challenged to respond to a problem or need and use design thinking and principles of human-centred design and socially responsible design to create encounters and interactions between people or communities. 

Learning on the module will explore the power of human encounters to respond to changes in technology, culture and society. By engaging in research, discussion and analysis, students are encouraged to develop and bring a personal viewpoint to identifying themes for their project. Through a process of discovery, defining a response to a need and developing solutions, students will work in an iterative way to propose, test, prototype and deliver a physical environment or experience that addresses any number of purposes: to educate or inform, to overcome divides, create relationships or conversations, communicate a message, sell a product or service.

As well as exploring visual communication, narrative, storytelling, art direction, set design and branding techniques, students will learn how to use a range of materials, objects, sound, an understanding of space to realise their project outcome. The module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars, talks from visiting lecturers and practitioners, studio-based and specialist workshops, visits and group activities. The module is assessed by submission of documentation of their experience or environment, along with a critical report.

This module aims to:
• give students an understanding of developing, pitching and presenting a design concept for a spatial /interactive event or experience;
• apply visual communication skills and techniques in communicating a message, solving a problem, meeting a client’s needs or facilitating resolutions;
• examine the role of human encounters and interaction as part of problem solving in design and visual communication;
• equip students to think critically and theoretically about human-centred design and its application as part of visual communication;
• apply their learning to design, execute and document a spatial / interactive project to a professional standard.

N/A
Available for Study Abroad? NO

The syllabus typically includes initial lecture and seminar discussion of the concepts of human-centred design, performative design, interactive design, spatial design and socially responsible design with the presentation of brief discussion papers representing differing positions. LO1

Students will develop research methods and investigate how such approaches can be synthesised with visual communication skills and techniques to develop a project proposal and personal response to their research which will be subject to peer and tutor discussion and feedback. LO2 LO3

Students will use an iterative process to prototype and test solutions, explore appropriate technologies materials to prototype and finally execute an original experience or environment. This will be documented and reflected upon to produce a critical report, which must be designed and produced using a visual language in keeping with the experience or environment. LO4

As a taught postgraduate module, all of the teaching and learning strategies promote reflective learning, enquiry, and independence of thought, rigour of research and testing, and professionalism in presentation.

Scheduled teaching ensures that independent study is effective and addresses the learning outcomes and assessment tasks. Students are expected to, and have the opportunity to, continue with their studies outside of scheduled classes. There will be a range of learning strategies deployed and individual learning styles will be accommodated. The module’s learning outcomes, its contents and delivery, have been scrutinised and will be regularly reviewed to ensure an inclusive approach to pedagogic practice.

The module and course utilise the University’s blended learning platform to support and reinforce learning, to foster peer-to-peer communication and to facilitate tutorial support for students. Reflective learning is promoted through assessment items and interim formative feedback points that ask students to reflect on their progress, seek help where they identify the opportunity for improvement in learning strategies and outcomes, and make recommendations to themselves for future development. Throughout the module, students build a body of work, including reflections on progress and achievement.

The School’s programme of employability events and embedded work-related learning within the curriculum supports students’ personal development planning. Through these initiatives, students are increasingly able, as they progress through the course, to understand the professional environment of their disciplines, the various opportunities available to them, and how to shape their learning according to their ambitions.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Knowledge and Understanding
LO1 demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of theoretical, social and cultural contexts for design in relation to human-centred design and socially responsible design;

• Cognitive Intellectual Abilities
LO2 clearly articulate a personal position in response to a design problem or human need through the development and execution of an original concept;

• Transferable Skills
LO3 through a designed, collaborative, human-centred design research process, test and evaluate their own designs in practice, and present the process and outcomes convincingly;

• Subject Specific Skills
LO4 employ effective design and illustration skills to produce and present a piece of original design to a highly professional standard.

The module is assessed through a submission of a portfolio containing:

1. 60% a fully realised and executed environment or experience;

2. 40% a critical report, designed, illustrated and produced in an appropriate visual language documenting and reflecting on the process and the outcome (minimum 1000 words).

Precise requirements will be set at the start of the module.

Students’ submissions will be assessed in relation to:

• evidence of clear and accurate understanding of theoretical, social and cultural contexts for design in relation to human-centred design and socially responsible design;
• the demonstrated ability to evaluate the needs of a design problem and how to resolve it using narrative, space and experience to connect with people, a community or audience;
• the appropriateness and success in design and delivery of a fully resolved experience or environment;
• the quality of the design proposition and its communication;
• clear evidence of understanding of documentation, critical reflection and presentation of the outcome.

The following are indicative only.  Refereed journals/ articles and electronic resources: issued according to seminar topics.

Link to e-reading list

RAWSTHORNE, A. (2018) Design as An Attitude
MANZINI, E. (2018) Design When Everyone Designs
HELLER, S. & VIENNE, V (2018) Citizen Designer: Perspectives on Design Responsibilities
AUSTIN, T. (2020) Narrative Environments and Experience Design : Space as a Medium of Communication
ATKINS, A. (2020) Love Letters, Forged Telegrams and Prison Escape Maps: Designing Graphic props for Filmmaking