1. Understand the important aspects of related disciplines including cultural, manufacturing, costing, marketing and professional issues. (MQF1). 2. Select and employ a range of appropriate research methodologies and the ability to apply the knowledge gained in the pursuit of a successful self-initiated project. (MQF1, MQF2) 3. Effective communication of design solutions to a real or simulated client, using a variety of visual and verbal methods. Presentation formats and content should be representative of standards maintained within a professional commercial environment. (MQF3, MQF5, MQF8). 4. Critical analysis of the identified target market and the production of a cohesive and reasoned design brief and design specification. (MQF7). 5. Identify problems, and use design methods to apply the most appropriate solution. (MQF6). 6. Critically appraise designs and artefacts in respect to aesthetics and semantics and evaluate this aspect in your own work. Have developed a sound understanding of the importance of aesthetics in the successful marketing and promotion of products, artefacts, scenarios or systems. (MQF4, MQF6, MQF7).


MQF Learning Outcome Area MQF1 - Knowledge MQF2 - Practical skills MQF3 - Social skills & responsibilities MQF4 - Values, attitudes and professionalism MQF5 - Communications, leadership and team skills MQF6 - Problem solving & scientific skills MQF7 - Information management and lifelong learning skills MQF8 - Managerial and entrepreneurial skills

Development of an appropriate programme of work (in conjunction with staff) that demonstrates practical design and development and encompasses topics such as problem solving, analysis, defining objectives, research, design evaluation and determining media and production methods. Negotiations should ensure that the programme can be resourced and will meet the learning outcomes of the module.

Project planning, using Gantt charts and other time organisational methods to manage the project from research to completion.

Developing design concepts, detail design solutions and final design proposals. Investigating materials, processes and technologies relevant to the negotiated brief and making these evident through visual and verbal communication methods throughout the project.

Visits to local and national ventures and organisations as required by your personal programme.

Preparation of a structured presentation to an external client or other relevant external body.

Preparation of a structured presentation to staff and fellow students of work in progress and on completion.

Self-assessment, regular interim group critiques and tutorials.

This module is designed to enable you to attain professional levels of competence by analysing problems, researching information, developing strategies, generating ideas and developing design specifications, all of which are intellectually challenging and demanding.

You are expected to carry out and substantially complete the research for the design phase of which is Professional Project 2. You will devise a personal programme of study that demonstrates and exploits the knowledge and experience you have gained in your previous studies, and is approved following discussions between yourself and your supervising tutor and occasionally with the external examiner.

You are expected to demonstrate high levels of project management and selforganisational skills. Manufacturing, technical and costing issues must be considered and demonstrated.

A COURSEWORK - ART & DESIGN weighted at 100%.

100% coursework (LOs 1 – 6) Assessment activity: the production of a substantial body of conclusive design work containing: Design brief and specification (Analysis) Work schedule, primary and secondary research file (Knowledge and understanding/Enquiry/Learning) Sketchbooks, Sketch models, (Problem solving/Communication) Facsimile model and/or CAD model and presentation boards. (Communication) Verbal presentation (Communication)

Staff will consider the production and presentation of your work as detailed in the documentation supplied by you in support of your individual negotiated programme of study. A single assessment grade will result, staff having taken an holistic view of your achievements.

Luis Perez-Breva (2017), Innovating: A Doer’s Manifesto for Starting from a Hunch, Prototyping Problems, Scaling Up and Learning to Be Productively Wrong, The MIT Press. ASIN: B06W2MFZZN

Cagan, M. (2017) Inspired How to create tech products customers love, Wiley, 2nd edition. ISBN: 978-1119387503

David Bramston, Ye Li (2016), Idea Searching for Design: How to Research and Develop Design Concepts (Basic Product Design) 2nd Edition, Fairchild Books. ISBN: 978-1472581969

Ulrich, (2016) Product Design and Development, Mc Graw Hill India, 5th Edition. ISBN: 978-9352601851

Hurff, S. (2016) Designing Products People Love: How Great Designers Create Successful Product, O’ Reilly Media, 1st Edition. ISBN: 1491923679

Additional Readings

Peter. F, C.(2016) Industrial Design A-Z, Taschen. ISBN: 3836522160

DK, (2015) Design: The Definitive Visual History, DK. ISBN: 1465438017

Ellen, L. (2014) Beautiful Users: Designing for people, Copper Hewitt, New York. ISBN: 9781616892913

Milton, A & Rodgers, P. (2013) Research Methods for Product Design, Laurence King Publishing Limited, London. ISBN: 9781780673028