Assessment 1: Project
This assessment focuses on exploratory creative practice through a structured project brief. You will investigate how materials, methods, and processes contribute to meaning within creative work. The project encourages experimentation, risk-taking, and iterative development across one or more creative disciplines. Emphasis is placed on exploration, process, and creative curiosity, with outcomes demonstrating how ideas have evolved through making.

Assessment 2: Journal
You will maintain a process journal that documents your creative development throughout the project. This could be written, audio, or digital format. Evidence of research, experimentation, testing, and reflection is required. The journal should demonstrate how ideas progressed, how feedback was considered, and how materials and methods influenced outcomes. The focus is on learning through process rather than producing a polished academic document.

Option 1: Written reflection with supporting visuals – word count 900
Option 2: Audio recording with image folder – 3-5 mins
Option 3: Video reflection with supporting visuals – 3-5 mins

Formative Assessment:
Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

- Introduction to project-based creative working
- Exploring how ideas develop from materials, methods, and experimentation
- Translating simple concepts into creative outcomes
- Developing introductory planning skills (idea generation, timelines, resources)
- Experimentation with materials, processes, or media outside comfort zones
- Introduction to sustainability through material choice and process awareness
- Developing personal interests and creative voice
- Responding to a set creative brief
- Informal presentation of work and peer discussion
- Reflecting on creative decisions and outcomes

1. Apply creative methods and techniques to produce a resolved practical outcome.

Programme Learning Outcome: Application & Problem Solving

2. Explore materials and processes to generate ideas that respond to a brief.

Programme Learning Outcome: Knowledge & Understanding

3. Communicate the intention and meaning behind your creative work to non specialist audiences.

Programme Learning Outcome: Communication

4. Reflect on your creative decisions and their impact on the development of your project.

Programme Learning Outcome: Reflection

Lectures
Workshop/ Lab/ Studio activities
Seminar discussions
Tutorials
Drop-in support sessions

- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Media Store
- Betty Smithers Design collection

3DTotal Publishing (2020) Art fundamentals: Light, shape, color, perspective, depth, composition & anatomy. 2nd edn. Worcester: 3DTotal Publishing.

Phaidon (2020) The art book. London: Phaidon Press.

Sloman, P. (2009) Paper: Tear, fold, rip, crease, cut. London: Black Dog Publishing.

Ward, C. (2018) Modern drawing: A contemporary exploration of drawing and illustration. Minneapolis, MN: Walter Foster Publishing.

Yanagi, S. (2018) The beauty of everyday things. London: Penguin Books.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

This project-based module encourages you to experiment with materials, processes, and creative methods to produce a resolved piece of work. You will explore how meaning, narrative, and intention can be communicated through creative practice, supported by workshops and tutorials. Sustainability and ethical awareness are introduced as part of decision-making. This module helps you develop independence, problem-solving skills, and confidence in managing a creative project in preparation for final major work.