USE RESEARCH TO EXPLORE AND DISCUSS KEY MOVEMENTS, PRACTITIONERS, AND INFLUENCES WITHIN THE FIELDS OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND CREATIVE PRACTICE.

Learning


IDENTIFY CONNECTIONS BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PERSONAL WORK. USE THIS KNOWLEDGE TO APPROACH PRACTICAL PROBLEMS AND CREATIVE BRIEFS.

Analysis / Visual Analysis


JUSTIFY CREATIVE WORK, CONSIDERING THE CULTURAL CONTEXTS OF AN AUDIENCE OR DESIGN PROBLEM.

Reflection


PRESENT OUTCOMES TO AN AUDIENCE, USING SPECIALIST LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION METHODS

Communication

You will present for assessment a body of work as outlined in the module information pack, this will include:


VISUAL ESSAY and supporting evidence (2000 words or equivalent) reflecting on how both contemporary and historical contexts have influenced your personal response to the assignment. Weighted 100% (LO1-4)


Your submission should contain;

An essay, report or case study presented in an appropriately ‘designed’ format.

Primary and secondary research sources and visual experimentation demonstrating visual analysis and exploration key design milestones and their impact/influence on your creative decision making.

Reflection, justification, and evaluation – referencing research sources and the influence of contemporary and historical contexts on your personal response to this assignment.

Sharing ideas, outcomes, and engaging in review discussions with lecturers and peers.


KEY INFORMATION SETS
100% coursework

Successful working in the creative industries requires insights into contemporary trends and working practices, how the past has influenced where we are now, and what might happen in the future. This module aims to help you develop an understanding of the historical background and influences on your area of study and the wider context of the creative practice industries.


You will have the opportunity to investigate the artistic, social, and political forces that have shaped art, design and creative practice over a significant period, allowing you to better understand the historical background and creative landscape linked to your area of study. You will acquire knowledge of how context influences design, enabling you to plan your practical assignments with a heightened awareness of your target audience's cultural expectations.

The module adopts a practical approach, encouraging students to apply theoretical learning to their creative practice. Reflecting on practice enables students to document their creativity, achievements, and areas for improvement.

Theories or design principles from this module can provide additional insights and improvements for studio projects. To maximise these connections, students should regularly evaluate their work and ideas to enhance their understanding and application of design concepts.

Contextual Studies 02: Creative Research; deepens students' understanding of historical influences on visual communication. The module combines theory with practice, encouraging students to apply research to their personal creative work. Assessments include a visual essay, where students reflect on historical contexts' influence on their work.

This contextual module integrates practical work (technical, aesthetic) with historical, theoretical, and reflective activities. This approach helps students understand how theory and research can enhance and support their growth as creative practitioners.


You will be required to participate in:

Introduction to module

Introductory lectures

Research workshops –¿introduction to research methods, historical data and analysis, case studies,

Presentation workshops –¿including traditional and digital methods.

Reflective practice, critical review and evaluation

Formative assessment –¿group review meetings, and mid-module presentations

Group tutorials and discussion

Individual tutorials and specialist guidance

Action planning and target setting

Independent study in support of your practical work



KEY INFORMATION SETS
24% scheduled Learning & Teaching activities
76% guided independent learning

Required Reading:

Betts, R.F. (2004). A History of Popular Culture. Oxford: Routledge.

Dempsey, A. (2010). Styles, Schools and Movements: The Essential Encyclopaedic Guide to Modern Art. 2nd ed. London: Thames and Hudson.

Eskilson, S. (2007). Graphic Design: A New History. London: Laurence King Pub.

Harrison, C. & Wood, P. eds., (2002). Art in Theory 1900-2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas. 2nd ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.

Jaeger, A.C. (2010). Image Makers Image Takers. 2nd ed. London: Thames & Hudson.

Perry, G. ed., (2004). Difference and Excess in Contemporary Art: The Visibility of Women's Practice. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.



Suggested Reading:

Benjamin, W. (2008). The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin.

Berger, J. (2008). Ways of Seeing. London: Penguin.

Clarke, M. (2007). Verbalising the Visual: Translating Art and Design Into Words. Lausanne, Switzerland: AVA Academia.

Davis, M. (2012). Graphic Design Theory - Graphic Design in Context. London: Thames and Hudson.

Dempsey, A. (2010). Styles Schools and Movements. Thames and Hudson.

Munari, B. (2008). Design as Art: Penguin Modern Classics. London: Penguin.

Sontag, S. (1979). On Photography. London: Penguin.

Sudjic, D. (2009). The Language of Things. London: Penguin.



Additional Resources:

Eye Magazine – International Review of Graphic Design. Available at: http://www.eyemagazine.com/

Modernism 101 – Rare and Unusual Books and Periodicals. Available at: https://modernism101.com/

Monoskop – Arts, Media, and Humanities Wiki. Available at: https://monoskop.org/Monoskop

Slanted Magazine – Projects and Publications in the Field of Graphic Design, Typography, Illustration, and Photography. Available at: https://www.slanted.de/ - Zaczek, I. (2017).



The Art Book – The Big Idea Simply Explained. USA: DK & Penguin.

Digital Suites

Specialist teaching spaces and resources; including studios, photographic studio, motion capture, Etc.
Lecture theatre and teaching rooms
Design collection
Library
IT facilities and digital suites.



The canvas virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.


Additional resources may be shared by the teaching team through the following digital platforms; MS Teams, Notion, OneDrive or Padlet.