Ideas are a fundamental design ingredient. This module provides you with an insight into working methods for locating ideas within visual problems. You will be given the opportunity to undertake a range of design exercises which contain the following: exploration of type, image and language through a varied use of media to communicate a range of concepts with clarity. Your conceptual enquiry throughout the module will explored through a mid-semester presentation of your work through varied curatorial methods. The application of lateral thinking to a range of concepts. The examination of effective forms of communication relating to an audience and engaging this audience through humour, wit, emotional response and irony; During this module you will develop an understanding of the value of relevant research and the importance of effective presentation techniques.

At the end of this module, you will submit a body of work as outlined in the module handbook.

This will include a research file containing appropriate annotated research into the use of creative thinking, ideas generating techniques and the examination of effective forms of graphic communication relating to an audience. (Learning outcome;1)

Using sketchbooks and a layout pad you will develop a range of possible solutions through rough visuals demonstrating experimentation and creative thinking when solving design problems.

Initial ideas will be developed through to finished visuals demonstrating your use of appropriate media.
(Learning outcomes; 2,3,4.)

100% Course work submitted as complete portfolio, assessment weighting below:

80% Portfolio of work generated over module with final outcomes FINAL

20% Final presentation

A range of studio-based exercises and project work will provide the framework through which learning will take place; it will integrate the practical with the theoretical aspects of ideas generation techniques.
Studio work will be supported by introductory lectures and seminars; work in progress will be monitored through group tutorials and critiques.


KEY INFORMATION SETS

24% scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

76% guided independent learning

1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF IDEAS AND CONCEPT GENERATION TECHNIQUES, THE VALUE OF RELEVANT RESEARCH AND APPROACHES TAKEN BY OTHER GRAPHIC DESIGNERS WITHIN AN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL CONTEXT.
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING.

2. EVALUATE A RANGE OF CREATIVE IDEAS GENERATION TECHNIQUES TO SOLVE A COMMUNICATION DESIGN PROBLEM BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF THE DESIGN EXERCISE, RESEARCH AND AUDIENCE CRITERIA.
ANALYSIS

3. EVALUATE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DIFFERENT IDEAS GENERATION TECHNIQUES THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF MEDIA AND MATERIALS RELEVANT TO THE REALISATION OF THE DESIGN EXERCISES.
PROBLEM SOLVING

4. PRESENT, EVALUATE AND INTERPRET CREATIVE THINKING SKILLS, IDEAS GENERATION AND THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP IDEAS IN RESPONSE TO SET DESIGN EXERCISES INVOLVING SELF MANAGED ENQUIRY FOR THE FORMULATION OF FUTURE WORK.
ENQUIRY

Library
Internet access
Experimental workshop resources for mixed media experimentation
Macintosh G5s (graphics studio)
Software: Adobe Illustrator,Photoshop, Indesign, Quark Xpress
Black and White A4/A3 printer (graphics studio)
Colour Printer (computer workshop)

Arnheim, R. Visual Thinking. Faber 1990

De Bono, E. Lateral Thinking. Penguin 1990

Fletcher, A. The Art of Looking Sideways. Phaidon 2002

McLuhan, M. Fiore, Q. Agel, J.The Medium is the Message. Penguin 1967

McAlhone, B. Stuart, D. A Smile in the Mind. Phidon 1996

Rand, P. Design Form Chaos. Yale University Press 1993

Ideas are a fundamental design ingredient. This module provides you with an insight into working methods for locating ideas within visual problems. You will be given the opportunity to undertake a range of design exercises which contain the following: exploration of type, image and language through a varied use of media to communicate a range of concepts with clarity. Your conceptual enquiry throughout the module will explored through a mid-semester presentation of your work through varied curatorial methods. The application of lateral thinking to a range of concepts. The examination of effective forms of communication relating to an audience and engaging this audience through humour, wit, emotional response and irony; During this module you will develop an understanding of the value of relevant research and the importance of effective presentation techniques.