OUGD406 DESIGN PRACTICE 1 MODULE BRIEFING

MODULE AIMS:

Aims of this module are:

To investigate and develop an increasingly self determined approach to the design process in response to the brief.
To develop a practical and conceptual understanding of issues relating to function, context and audience in response to graphic design practice.
To further develop critical and reflective approaches to the documentation and evaluation of individual and group-based studio/design practices.
To establish a critical approach to the documentation, analysis and evaluation of work and its contextualisation within current graphic design practice.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

4A7 - Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between formal language, visual communication and problem solving in the development of appropriate solutions to defined problems. - 20%

4B6 - Demonstrate a critical awareness of individual intentions in the production and contextualisation of work related to appropriate graphic design practices. - 20%

4C8 - Identify, evaluate and select appropriate practical and conceptual approaches to the development of effective solutions to set problems. - 20%

4C9 - Demonstrate the ability to incorporate visual skills and sensitivity to appropriate media in the development of a body of individually identified design solutions. - 20%

4D6 - Effectively manage time and resources in order to document, present and evaluate a self-determined body of work in response to set briefs. - 20%

INDICATIVE CONTENT 

A brief lead, structured module that will allow students to develop a more self-directed, diagnostic body of work that will focus on Communication through Type and/or Image. Students will be encouraged to individually and collaboratively explore solutions to problems through the individually identified investigation of typography, layout, packaging graphics, information graphics, editorial, reportage, sequential imagery, photo media, and paper based print.

Set briefs will support the development of individual interests and practices in Graphic Design by encouraging students to explore critical/conceptual approaches to form, function & audience/context as integral considerations in communication and design. Drop in workshop access will be available to develop practical skills in support of individual practice. Project management and self evaluation methods will be reinforced through the development of a practice based rationale and research file.

This module will be delivered through oral briefings, lectures, group critiques group/individual tutorials and project surgeries.

MODULE BRIEF

BRIEF TITLE - A GRAPHIC RESPONSE

CONTEXT

“[Graphic Design is] An ongoing examination/conversation between the dynamics of personal exploration and professional practice” – Matt Owens, Volume one

Graphic design represents a constant dialogue between the client lead brief and the individual voice of the designer. Design problems, Content, audience and context are often given however resolutions often stem from your own interests, experiences and opinions. It is an investigation into these personal creative concerns that help you to develop an individual voice within the creative industries.

In a professional context your individuality and effectiveness as a designer will be measured by the skills you have and more importantly how you apply them. You are viewed through your work, its personality, its tone of voice and creative concerns.

This Brief offers you the opportunity to identify, develop and exploit your own individual design identity within the context of contemporary Graphic Design practice. You will be encouraged to make independent choices regarding the focus of your investigation and appropriate resolution of your ideas.

Your progress will be supported by studio briefings, crits and studio support but you will be expected to demonstrate an increasingly independent approach to research, development and presentation within the context of set problems.

BRIEFS:

You will develop and present a body of practical solutions to set problems outlined in individual studio briefs. These will include:

STUDIO BRIEF 1: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - this brief will offer you the opportunity to respond to a given live or competition brief.

STUDIO BRIEF 2: INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE - an opportunity to develop an individual response to a set design problem, which will be exhibited alongside Level 05 responses externally.

STUDIO BRIEF 3: COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE - you will work in small groups to solve a problem based on communication, audience and context.

STUDIO BRIEF 4: REFLECTIVE PRACTICE - an opportunity to use your own individual experience of your first year to identify a problem and design and produce a Graphic Design response.

Each brief will have its own mandatory requirements, deliverables and set studio deadline but all will be submitted at the end of the module as a body of work that reflects your emerging creative interests and individual design practice. Your practical and conceptual development of responses to set problems should be informed by and ongoing investigation of graphic design practices and appropriate contextual references.

PREPARATION

The practical development of your work will need to be supported through appropriate contextual research, reference and on going evaluation evidenced through notebooks and your blog. You should ensure that all posts to your Design Practice and Design Context blogs. are tagged/labelled with OUGD406 and Studio brief 1,2,3,4 where appropriate

You will be expected to document and evidence your project management skills through the use of personal timetables, statements of intent and other appropriate methods of time management. Comprehensive records of your own organisation and reflections should be thoroughly documented on your Design Practice Blog. and labelled with the OUGD406 module code.

REQUIRED READING

Author(s)	Year	Title (Chapter)	Publisher
Shaughnessy, A. Bierut, M.	2009	Graphic Design: A User’s Manual	Laurence King
Ambrose, G. Harris P.	2009	Design Basics: Design Thinking	AVA
Twemlow, A.	2006	What is Graphic Design For?	Rotovision
Ambrose, G. Harris P.	2011	The Fundamentals of Typography	AVA

GENERAL REQUIRED READING

Graphic Design: A User’s Manual - Shaughnessy, A. Bierut, M. - Laurence King, 2009

The Fundamentals of Graphic Design – Ambrose, G. Harris P. - AVA, 2008

The Fundamentals of Typography - Ambrose, G. Harris P. - AVA, 2011

What Is Graphic Design? – Newark, Q. – Rotovision, 2007

Visual Research: An Introduction to Research Methodologies in Graphic Design. – Noble, I. Bestley, R. – AVA, 2007

Visible Signs: An Introduction to Semiotics. – Crow, D. – AVA 2007

EVIDENCE FOR SUBMISSION

EVIDENCE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT – including records of time management, project planning, action plans and evaluations.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT - including notebooks, design sheets, test pieces, prototypes etc. demonstrating ongoing visual and conceptual investigation, design development, exploration of media and project evaluation

DESIGN SOLUTIONS/PROPOSALS – demonstrating the ability to clearly identify, resolve and present appropriate solutions to brief led problems.

CRITICAL JOURNAL (in the form of a blog)– demonstrating the contextual referencing of contemporary design practice appropriate to the project