Assessment 1: A substantial illustrated Reflective Learning Journal, containing key creative milestones that have occurred over a significant period of time, with reference to national and international social, cultural and political context. (50%) [LO 1, 2, 3]

Assessment 2: A response to a brief requiring teamwork and negotiation skills, demonstrating involvement in the design, creation and delivery of a product/activity/event for an identified target audience (50%) [LO 4, 5, 6]

Formative assessment: Peer review of the Reflective Learning Journal, to include evaluation of the breadth and depth of the journals, and their ability to demonstrate students' analysis of the areas covered.

You will be able to explore the artistic, social and political influences on photography over a significant period, in order to evaluate reasons for current trends. You will gain insights into the impact of context on professional practice so that you can plan your practical work with a better understanding of the cultural expectations of the audience you are aiming for. By recording your findings in your Reflective Learning Journal you will be able to develop your analytical and evaluative skills through discussing the ideas and influences relating to your work.

This module helps you to deepen your experience of the application of skills, and you will be able to relate the design theory and context that you are exploring in your Reflective Learning Journal with the application of your skills in a professional context. You will be expected to gain a substantial part of the evidence for assessment from work-related projects. You will address an identified need in the working environment, which may be part of a larger programme of work being undertaken in the workplace, or experience associated with working freelance or in an entrepreneurial role. This may, for example, be producing photographs for an online platform, a private client, or creating products for an identified market or audience.

You will increasingly be working independently, and may identify and/or initiate a project in order to meet the outcomes of the module: such a project should be planned in consultation with your tutor and, where appropriate, your mentor.

Students will have access to studio space and college library and computer resources. University learning resources are available on campus at Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent, and online via the partner Need to Know pages of the university website.
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/partnerships/current_students/email/index.jsp

Books:
Briggs A. & Burke P. (2010). Social History of the Media: From Gutenberg to the Internet . 3rd ed. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Brockman J. ed. (2011). Culture: Leading Scientists Explore Societies, Art, Power, and Technology. London: Harper Perennial.
Carter D.E. (2001) The Big Book of Corporate Identity Design. Harper Collins Publishers
Creeber G. & Martin R. (2008). Digital Cultures: Understanding New Media. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Curtis, H. (2002) MTIV: Process Inspiration and Practice for the New Media Designer. New Riders Publishing
Gere C. (2008). Digital Culture . 2nd ed. London: Reaktion Books.
Gifford C. (2005) Advertising and Marketing. Heinmann
Stranks J. (2010) A Managers Guide to Health & Safety at Work. Financial Times Prentice Hall
Stone, M et al (2004). Consumer Insight: How to Use Data and Market Research to get Closer to Your Customer. Kogan Page
Tracy, J. & Gibson S. eds (2015). The Freelance Photographers Market Handbook 2010 . 26th ed. London: BFP Books
Wells, L. (2002). The Photographer Reader. London: Routledge

Journals:
AG : The International Journal of Photographic Art and Practice
British Journal of Photography
Creative Review, Centaur Communications
Design Week, Centaur Publications

www.networkstudentphotographers.co.uk www.the-aop.org
Adobe - www.adobe.com
Photostop Mail list WWW Page (unofficial) - www.bios.nui.edu/photoshop Gorgeous sites - Photoshop resources - www.elated.com/gorgeous/gallery The Pixelfoundry Graphics Forum - disc.server.com/indices/2695.html

Introduction to module
Series of lectures, visits and seminars relating to design history and design context
Workshops developing journal content with studio tutorials
Problem solving workshop
Design process
Research workshops
Practical studio workshops
Methods of evaluation
Group tutorials and critiques with formative feedback
Individual tutorials