Bernstein, M. M. and G. Yatchisin. (2001). Writing for the Visual Arts. Upper Saddle River, N.J, Prentice Hall
Burnham, Douglas. (2008). Studying Independently and Producing Better Written Work. Staffordshire University: Faculty of Arts, Media and Design [Booklet]
Cottrell, Stella. (2008). The Study Skills Handbook. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan
Dormer, Peter. (2004). The Art of the Maker. London, Thames and Hudson.
Dormer, Peter. (1997). The Culture of Crafts: Status and Future. Manchester, Manchester University Press.
Grant, Catherine. (2005). New directions in Jewellery. London: Black Dog.
Greenhalgh, Paul. (2002). The Persistence of Craft: the Applied Arts Today. London, A & C Black.
Naylor, Gillian. (1990). The Arts and Crafts Movement: A Study of its Sources, ideals and Influences. London, Trefoil.
Pye, David. (1995). The Nature and Art of Workmanship. London, Herbert Press.

Lecture Theatre
Data Projector
Design Collection
Library
IT Suites
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

You will present for assessment a body of work as outlined in the module information pack. This is will include:

A presentation based on the research gathered in preparation for the essay component of the module essay [Learning Outcome 2 & 3].

An essay length of 1000 [Learning Outcomes 1,2,3 & 4].

Academic workshops (formal Technical Instruction sessions and library, design collection and gallery/museum based activities)
Small group sessions (seminars, tutorials)
Independent study in support of your project work
Short exercises and assignments that help you to apply and evaluate your learning

This module will introduce you to the skills needed to research, evaluate and present information in relation to both your practical design work and academic written material - skills on which the professional practice of the three dimensional designer depends. This module will focus on the mechanics of how and why a designer researches, how to use historical, contextual research to inform, enrich and underpin your practical work. In addition, it will also explore ways to evaluate, construct and present information in written, verbal and visual forms allowing you to articulate your views on historical and contemporary practice including your own.

You will be introduced to resources within and outside the University that will enable you to gather information. You will learn the conventions employed to organise 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 taught practical and theoretical session 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 three dimensional design. You will be required to consider this module in relation to your practical design work exploring the context in which your work sits and how factors such as history, function, ethics, politics, culture, gender, religion etc impacts on your design ideas.

You will learn how to use University facilities such as the Design Collection and Thompson Library as well as external resources including a museum/gallery visit, through a range of practical exercises. You will also gain the IT skills needed for the gathering and presenting of information in an academic context.

You will carry out a research-based, specialist project, make a presentation of your findings to staff and students, produce a folder documenting the short exercise that you have undertaken and write a brief essay that will utilise some of the skills learnt.