Design Analysis
What does the course involve?
The purpose of this course is to encourage design practitioners to explore the determinants of effective design practice, from perspectives beyond those encountered in everyday professional life. The learning programme is structured to enable the analysis of design and designing, in relation to emerging societal, ideological and commercial factors relevant to contemporary practice. The course is delivered over 12 weeks, which comprise eight taught inputs, two personal tutorials and two weeks of access to tutorial support, by negotiation, with an assigned supervisor.
Whilst this may be seen as a free standing course, in its own right, this programme also satisfies the necessary outcomes for one module of the Postgraduate Certificate Design Context and Practice. Students may wish to build upon this 20 credit module toward the Certificate, through undertaking the remaining 40 credits, consecutively or at a later date.
The course aims to help define personal career or research ambitions, and devise strategies for meeting them. Applying theoretical models, applicable to current practice, students will be encouraged to re-evaluate their approach and devise personal frameworks for enhanced professional development. A key component of this experience is the opportunity to discuss, debate and engage in discourse, with other practitioners, around themes concerning design in an increasingly global environment.
Assessment
For the accreditation of 20 Masters level points students will need to submit a written document, of approximately 6,000 words, (excluding quotations and references) supported by associated audio visual references where appropriate. This submission will be a response to set assignments which ask students to develop a personal ‘position’, argument or discussion around the themes encountered within the taught programme.
The course will address such issues as:
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Realist Stakeholder Analysis
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Problematisation
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Iconoclastic
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Thinking
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Sharing Ideas and Knowledge Transfer
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Innovation
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Who are the Arbiters of Design Success?
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Design for Need – Design for Greed
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Design and Social Responsibility (CSR)
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Reflective/Reflexive Practice