RESEARCH A RANGE OF VISUAL CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES WITHIN A SPECIALIST AREA OF CREATIVE PRACTICE.

Enquiry

ENGAGE WITH VISUAL CONCEPTS AND APPROACHES TO PROPOSE SPECIALIST IDEAS.

Problem Solving

PRESENT RESEARCH FINDINGS IN APPROPRIATE FORMATS.

Communication

CONSIDER TIME, RESOURCES AND PEOPLE EFFECTIVELY IN THE PURSUIT OF A PERSONAL GOALS WITHIN A SPECIALIST AREA OF CREATIVE PRACTICE.

Application

Working with others

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


VISUAL RESEARCH REPORT (2000 words or equivalent) highlighting specialist research activities, analysis, and evaluation completed in the context of personal practice and specialist investigation. Weighted 100%. (LO1, LO2, LO3 & LO4)


The report is should contain;

A negotiated report with a clear statement of intent, goals and outcomes –¿presented in a highly visual and appropriately ‘designed’ format.

Research findings investigating the specialist and historical context a specialist theme; e.g., influential movements, organizations, designers, artists, or professionals within the area of your specialist study.

Applied research aligned with the specialist theme

Research that supports and enhances the report proposal

Industrial and professional research, progression routes and opportunities, etc.


KEY INFORMATION SETS
100% coursework

This module introduces you to the skills needed to research, evaluate, and present information - skills on which the professional practice of art and design now depends. You will be introduced to resources both within and outside the University, which enable you to gather information. You will learn the conventions employed to organize information and explore some of the techniques (and technologies) now used to present information in written, verbal and visual forms. The emphasis is very much on acquiring skills through practice. In addition to illustrated talks and informal discussion groups, you will participate in exercises designed to help you understand the methods and conventions by which you can research, evaluate, and communicate your interest in both the practice and history/theory of art. You will learn how to use research resources. You will carry out research-based projects, which will be presented in a report. You will be encouraged to identify the ways in which this new knowledge is informing your developing studio practice. You will reflectively document the process of researching, evaluating the impact of this activity on your developing practice.

This module will involve a wide variety of artist media: painting, photography, sculpture, installation art, video and digital art.

The module is directed towards students having a sound basis for an understanding of the historical and theoretical evolution of contemporary art practice. Basic issues in contemporary art and design will be addressed such as the rise of photography and video as major fine art media, the evolution of painting and sculpture into radically expanded forms (e.g. installation art) which question traditional notions of fine art and the relationship of these to broader areas in society and culture. The increased emphasis on concept and process rather than product will also be addressed. Students pursuing this module will be afforded a broad understanding of contemporary fine art at precisely the right point in the structure of their award where the experimental emphasis on studio-based practice will begin to yield new and exciting expressive outcomes that relate directly to contemporary art practice in the 21st century. In order to evaluate your own work, it is important that your knowledge of historic and contemporary art is adequate to the stimulating shifts in emphasis that will inevitably take place in your own practice in a manner that will motivate your creative ability to a higher level.

Critical Inquiry 01: Creative Influences; immerses students in researching and presenting visual concepts within their chosen creative speciality. Emphasising the practical application of these skills, students create a visual research report, examining influential aspects within their field. The module culminates in a visually-rich report, linking research to personal practice.

This contextual module links contextual, theoretical and reflective activities to practical work and studio outputs to help students better understand their specialist practice and the relationship of their work and ideas to the wider creative industries.


You will be required to participate in:

Introduction to module

Introductory lectures

Collaborative class activities exploring historical and contemporary concepts and themes linked to the development of visual communication practices.

Engagement in faculty-led discussions to initiate and evolve personal work and project responses.

Presentation workshops –¿exploring visual responses to the module.

Continuous reflection, refinement, and assessment of the work

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


This module will feature a collection of 'modulettes', including structured workshops, demonstrations, themed research activities, and lectures. These are designed to help students acquire a deeper knowledge of the history and concepts that inform each students specialist study. These activities aim is to enhance students' learning experience and strengthen their skills and specialist knowledge in one of the programme specialist streams; graphics design, illustration, photography, or animation.



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

Required Reading

Ambrose, G. and Leonard, N. (2012). Design Research - Basics Graphic Design 02. AVA Publishing, London.

Donis, A. Dondis. (1974). A Primer for Visual Literacy. MIT Press.

Grady, J., & Grady, K. (2006). A designer's research manual: Succeed in design by knowing your clients and what they really need. Rockport Publishers, Gloucester, Mass.

Robertson, J. & McDaniel, C. (2016). Themes of contemporary art: visual art after 1980, 3rd ed. Oxford University Press, New York.

Williams, G. (2014). How to write about contemporary art. Thames and Hudson, London.



Suggested Reading

Ambrose, G. (2009). Design Thinking - Basics Design 08. AVA Publishing, London.

Barson, T., Gorschlüter, P. & Tate Liverpool (2010). Afro modern: journeys through the black Atlantic: exhibition at Tate Liverpool, 29 January until 25 April 2010. Tate Liverpool, Liverpool.

Bishop, Claire (2005). Installation Art: A Critical History. Tate, London.

Burrill, A. (2016). Make it Now - creative inspiration and the art of getting things done. Virgin Books.

Cahoone L. E. ed., (2003). From Modernism to Postmodernism: An Anthology (Blackwell Philosophy Anthologies). 2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, Oxford.

Catherine Lord, Richard Meyer (2014). Queer Art and Culture. Phaidon, London.

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

Hopkins, D. (2018). After Modern Art 1945-2017. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Kleon, A. (2014). Show Your Work - 10 ways to share your creativity and get discovered. Alonquin Books.

Leborg, Christian. (2006). Visual Grammar. Princeton Architectural Press.

Lloyd C. (1997). Creating a Life Worth Living: A Practical Course in Career Design for Aspiring Writers, Artists, Filmmakers, Musicians and Others. Harper Collins, London.

Marien M.W. (2013). Photography: A Cultural History. 3rd ed. Laurence King, London.

Moon, J. (2000). Reflection in Learning and Professional Development. Routledge, London.

Reckitt, H. (2012). Art and feminism. Phaidon Press, London.

Ruder, Emil. (2004). Graphic Design Manual: Principles and Practice. Verlag Niggli.

Soles, D. (2005). The Academic Essay: How to Plan, Draft, Write and Edit. Studymates Ltd., London.

Tate (2017). Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power. Tate Publishing, London.

Taylor B. (2004). Art Today. Laurence King, London.

Wells L. (2015). Photography a Critical Introduction. Routledge, London.

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.