Overview

The primary focus of this module is to develop your knowledge and understanding of the design process when faced with a design brief. Throughout the module, you will have the opportunity to work on two 'live briefs' provided by external clients.

In order to successfully complete these briefs, you will engage in research, creative exploration and design development, and ultimately manufacture a working prototype of a new product. By working on these briefs, you will gain hands-on experience in applying the design process to real-world situations.

The module will also aim to enhance your awareness of professional expectations and standards. This will be achieved through regular communication with the identified client, providing valuable opportunities for students to develop their professional communication skills and gain a better understanding of the demands of the design industry.

This practical module is divided into two 4-week projects, both of which will be provided by external clients. To ensure current and relevant challenges, the clients and briefs may change on an annual basis.

The first project will primarily focus on fostering creativity and generating a broad range of innovative ideas. The emphasis will be on the creation of prototypes as part of the iterative design process, in order to effectively communicate the design intent to the client.

The second project will have a greater focus on conducting focused and suitable research to identify clear intents and project directions, with an eye towards identifying innovation opportunities. To communicate their concept to the client, students will be expected to develop a working prototype.

Throughout both projects, the module will also aim to deepen students' knowledge and understanding of designing for commercial manufacturing. Students will be required to consider the end user and ensure the product's safety and quality.

Assessment Strategy

-excellent -A- to A+ (70%+): Outstanding Performance. The relevant information accurately deployed. Excellent grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practice elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Strong evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

-good -B- to B+ (60-69%): Very good performance Most of the relevant information accurately deployed. Good grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Good integration of theory/practice/information in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

-another level-C- to C+ (50-59%): Much of the relevant information and skills mostly accurately deployed. Adequate grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Fair integration of theory/practice/information in the pursuit of the assessed work's objectives. Some evidence of the use of creative and reflective skills.

-threshold -D- to D+ (40-49%): No major omissions or inaccuracies in the deployment of information/skills. Some grasp of theoretical/conceptual/practical elements. Integration of theory/practice/information present intermittently in pursuit of the assessed work's objectives.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply effective visual and verbal communication techniques to communicate design value.

• Carry out research and use outcomes to determine project direction.

• Demonstrate a product’s suitability through a prototype.

• Imagine and propose a breadth and depth of innovation; communicate and explain proposals to a client.