Unit description      Briefs  
Code: TBC
Title: Contextual Practice Two
Dept:

Design
Level: 2
Semester: 3&4
Credits: 24
Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Co-ordinator: Sarah Humphreys

Unit Description
The unit further explores the contextual basis of designing for new media, both online and not, through the deconstruction of work, and discussion of a wide range of issues drawn from both “traditional” and “new” media.

Students will be encouraged to identify areas of concern that are related to their main studio practices, and they will begin to explore the parameters and possibilities of those areas, individually or in groups, through personal discussion and through individual research presentations.

Syllabus
 A series of talks, screenings and critique sessions will explore the contextual basis of designing for new media, both online and not, and the relationship to other traditional media forms. The programme will develop a further understanding of pictorial, textual, and aural communication, of narrative forms and of non-linearity, and of interface and interaction, of branding and identity and of virtual space. Students will engage in the deconstruction and critical evaluation of a range of associated material, including their own work.
The student will produce an initial project proposal(s) for their Level Three Independent Practice, and present this to staff and the student group. After discussion with peers and with academic staff, the student will be asked to identify one or two (maximum two) of these possible projects with which to proceed.

The students are required to work independently to collect and collate relevant research, and will work towards a draft of the final design document (for which a template is provided), which will outline in detail their major project.

Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:

- Demonstrate skills in analysing and deconstructing design and media products, in particular with relation to interactive products.
- Demonstrate a more confident and inquiring relationship with the design/media work they encounter, study and produce
- Demonstrate an increased awareness of the values embodied both consciously and subliminally in design/media work and products, including their own
- Understand the historical, social and stylistic contexts of designed work, including
their own
- Communicate information and ideas about designed products and information through a flexible and responsive language.
- Demonstrate the ability to initiate a project proposal which demonstrates individual strengths and direction
- Demonstrate the ability to produce an initial draft of a comprehensive design document




Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures, seminars, critiques and independent study.



Assessment
 The learning outcomes are assessed by: a personal portfolio website, structured according to guidelines to link to interactive work produced throughout the year, and to written critical evaluations of that work, and a draft design document for the Level Three Independent Practice project (100%);

Indicative Reading
All reading list material for Level Two units