Module Descriptors
MAJOR PROJECT IN GRAPHICS AND DIGITAL DESIGN
CCIF50757
Key Facts
School of Creative Arts and Engineering
Level 5
30 credits
Contact
Leader: Lisa Wolfe
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 80
Independent Study Hours: 220
Total Learning Hours: 300
Assessment
  • PROJECT EVALUATION weighted at 20%
  • PROJECT- INDIVIDUAL weighted at 80%
Module Details
Module Texts
Bergvist L. (2004) D'artiste: Digital Painting. Digital Artists Master Class. Ballistic Publishing
Burke R. (2003) Project Management: Planning & Control Techniques. John Wiley & Sons
D & Ad Mastercraft. (2004) The Graphics Book. Rotovision
Klenten R. Bourquin N. & Geiger T(2006). Tres Logos. Die Gestalten Verlag
Mantel S. Meredith J. Shafer S. (2011) Project Management in Practice. John Wiley & Sons
Stoklossa U. (edited by Rempen T) (2010) Advertising ? New Techniques for Visual Seduction.Thames & Hudson
Williams R. (2001) The Animators Survival Kit: A Working Manual of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Computer, Stop-motion, Games and Classical Animators. Faber and Faber
Module Learning Strategies
Introduction to module
Project management workshops
Communication methods workshops and seminars, to include promotion, information retrieval and negotiation
Practical studio workshops
Event and activity visits and critiques
Individual tutorials
Module Indicative Content
The purpose of this module is to allow you to take personal responsibility for a major project, building on the experience of the whole learning programme. You will be able to show that you understand how graphics and digital designers work to achieve success, and how this relates to the national and international creative context.

A key theme that you will work with is one of working independently, because you will be expected to identify potential projects and generate appropriate responses to fulfil a clearly articulated need and/or aspiration. This may be industry directed or academic, and in any of a range of roles, such as part of an organisation, as an individual, working as a team leader or coordinator of other practitioners, or as a significant research project relating to your academic aspirations.

Examples of projects you might work on would be setting up a company to distribute your own work, creating a major graphics/digitally designed product for a new audience, or identifying needs and working as a designer for an existing company where there has been no designer previously (such as to develop a marketing campaign to sell services or products for the company).

You will be expected to identify and engage with a client or clients, work creatively and innovatively and successfully promote work. Targets and timescales should be action planned as part of a well managed project that fully embraces professional considerations: to include financial management, health and safety, legal and ethical requirements and a wide range of communication methods.

True independent working is considered to be a reflection of your enthusiasm for the subject rather than 'locking yourself in a room and getting on with it'. Ideas should be brought to the tutorial sessions with a view to discussing possibilities rather than a presentation of set-in-stone concepts.

Communication is a key part of design and you should consult and 'bounce ideas off' as many people as possible and keep your tutors and mentors informed about the progression of your ideas.

You will be expected to identify and engage with a client or clients (who may be academic), work creatively and innovatively and successfully promote your work. Targets and timescales should be action-planned as part of a well-managed project that fully embraces professional considerations: these should include financial and time management, health and safety, legal and ethical requirements and a wide range of communication methods.

As you will be working on an individual project, individual tutorials will be an important aspect of the module. If you are intending to take an academic progression route, counselling regarding the nature and suitability of the assignment should be sought: a written academic study of an appropriate depth and breadth could be the most appropriate way to prepare yourself for further study, and this might be the major project you undertake for this module.
Module Additional Assessment Details
Assessment 1: The planning and implementation of a major project, negotiated with tutors and, where appropriate, mentor (80%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2]

Assessment 2: A 2,500 word report evaluating the project in a national and international context, supported by a portfolio of evidence of project management (20%) [Learning Outcomes 2, 3]

Formative assessment: Peer presentation explaining how your proposed major project is relevant to the contemporary national and international arena for graphic and digital designers.

Students must submit work for both assessments
Module Resources
You will have access to a range of studios and studio resources, including digital technology, photographic studios, cameras and software packages.
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