Identify detailed and informed insights into contemporary practice in the creative industries, when critically evaluating current professional specialist practice in the UK and internationally.

Knowledge and Understanding


Critical evaluation of current arguments, assumptions and concepts of chosen specialism. Integrate considerations in the development and creation of own project.

Analysis


Define and anticipate challenges and explore alternative possibilities to generate appropriate solutions for complex projects

Problem solving


Develop appropriate project management and negotiating skills, by working with external clients, third party services, peers and staff, professionally and responsibly.

Working with Others


Reflect upon objectives that have been agreed in negotiation, demonstrate your learning ability, qualities and transferable skills gained throughout the process.

Reflection


Explain and record the process of working on a professional brief, showing the development of your intentions through to the realisation of the project to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Communication

Assessment 1: Project Proposal outlining intentions (10%) (LO 1, 2, 3 and 4)


Assessment 2: Portfolio with design development, sampling and final outcome, as well as an exhibition. (70%) (LO 3, 4, 5 and 6)


Assessment 3: Reflective presentation analysing process and discussing success of the project from concept to exhibition (12-15 minutes) (20%) (LO 5 and 6)


Further clarity will be provided in detailed project brief.

In your Practical Practice module you will have investigated and negotiated the potential for a Final Major Project that you will carry out in this module. You may wish to amend the initial proposal in light of further consideration, but the focus of this module is to implement the project in a practical way, and you should plan your time accordingly. To support the project, you will undertake a related study, culminating in a report that explores the context and influencing factors that impact on your specialism. Your ethics clearance form will have been submitted to the University Ethics Panel for approval during your Practical Practice module, and if there are any revisions to be made (the University will contact you through your student email if this is the case) you will need to make the required changes and resubmit the form for approval before you start work on your Final Major project.

Your self-initiated project will have been agreed because it will provide the opportunity to gather extensive research and informed debate on your subject, whilst allowing you to explore a personal area and practise professional working methods. Your brief should be something that is at a professional standard such as: a client or commissioned brief; a product or collection to sell, or the development of work for exhibition (with a real outlet). You should be ambitious and show awareness of your chosen field of study, but your project should be achievable in the agreed timescale.

You will begin the second stage of your project by reflecting on the original proposal and supporting research in order to re-examine your chosen area of study and plan your strategy. You will need to present your up-to-date plans to peers and tutor(s) to ensure you are still pursuing an appropriate course. Your work will be strengthened by the presentation of research into your subject area in the form of an investigative report.

As you continue through your project you will be expected to continuously document your progress, recording your project management, thoughts, ideas, experimentation, reflections, communications and all other working practices. This can take any form from process journal, sketchbook or other industry-based documents. You will be supported by regular tutorials and seminars throughout: at times you will be expected to present and review your position in the project to tutors and peers.

In this module, you'll execute your Final Major Project, refining your initial proposal through practical implementation. Align your project with professional standards—whether it's a client brief, a marketable product, or exhibition work—and conduct comprehensive research to substantiate your approach. Ethical considerations have been addressed through prior submission to the University Ethics Panel. Regular tutorials and seminars will guide you as you document your progress and present your evolving strategies to peers and tutors. This module equips you with essential project management skills and strengthens your professional portfolio, enhancing your readiness for career advancement in your chosen field.

Lectures – Proposal writing, time management
Tutor and student led tutorials, timetabled between the student and tutor/s.
Group seminars focusing on the work, research and progress.
Workshops negotiated between subject tutors and students in relation to proposals.

VLE (Virtual Learning Environment)

Books

Gingko Press, 2020. It's A Match!: Creating Colour Palettes in Design. Berkeley: Gingko Press.

Goddard, A., 2018. Mixed Media Textile Art in Three Dimensions. London: Batsford.

Kordas, L., 2018. New York Unseen (Unseen series). New York: teNeues.

Phaidon, 2019. Great Women Painters (Vitamin). London: Phaidon Press.

Victionary, 2020. DRAWING ATTENTION: Custom Illustration Solutions for Brands Today. Hong Kong: Victionary.

Wood, C., 2018. Performance in Contemporary Art: A History and Celebration. London: Tate Publishing.

Artforum Magazine
Frieze Magazine
Tate Magazine
Creative review
Eye magazine


https://www.theartnewspaper.com/

https://www.juxtapoz.com/

https://www.apollo-magazine.com/

https://spoke-art.com/blogs/news

https://beautifulbizarre.net/

https://hifructose.com/

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