Lorraine

each task has requirements restrictions etc.

If we pick our own projects we will ply to our existing strengths and, although we may develop them, we won’t learn anything new.

On the other hand we may want to do exactly that and use the tools available in the college to create a piece that would look good in a portfolio, but I think we can do that at any stage.

If we have a brief that is designed to look like a brief that an employer would give us to create a piece of media about a subject we have no interest in with defined requirements that have to be met, I think we would be less precious about the outcome, we can show our versatility and it would be easier to grade based on how well it met the requirements and expanded on them, innovated, etc.

I do like the idea that we could do it as part of a group or individually as I like working alone, like when I don a bat suit and keep the streets free of scum. You’re all welcome by the way.

See below as quoted from course handbook:

“Module Assessment:
Final Project Submission: 60%

Candidates will be asked to create a ‘branding’ campaign for an existing or imaginary
product. Design for logos. Print (e.g. magazine ad, business livery, brochure, etc.) and
choice of web site layout, CD/DVD ROM app. Layout or storyboard for TV spot will
be expected in this project.

Written Report: 40%
Candidates will discuss, analyse and evaluate their design strategies and the research
that informed their design rationale.
*These weightings apply to the MA CDM: other programmes utilizing this module for different
purposes may require a different balance of weighting”

If the module assessment is to be changed substantially what is outlined in the course handbook, does this have implications on the academic council approval of the module?

Functionality and usability aside..

Design is about creation, or execution in an artistic or highly skilled manner. Sitting down deciphering the fundamentals of design implementation is helpful, but it is only when you criticise your own work can you truly understand the concept of design for others. Tim, When you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him he will win..

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” Mahatma Gandhi

as this is design Practice, i think we should have a design brief that would get us to implement any design knowledge that we have already, or for those in the class who are only learning the basics of design these year-i think this would be more benifical to them. As we are learning photoshop and illustrator i think a brief, incorporating these two would be helpful, and along the lines of what Brian and Ciaron have already said, this would give us something solid for our portfolio.

Niamh

I think our project should be based on a practical application. To be honest the crossover between your class and Design Principles is to great. I think an Idea could be design a Poster in Illustrator or Photoshop. Most of our other modules are based on functionality. So I think it would be good to have assessment on the look and feel of a piece.

Ciaran

I fully appreciate the value of preparing and putting some foresight into projects before beginning them. Equally I understand the need to reflect on the work that we do once it’s done and consider possible improvements in order to become better designers.

Having said that, I would like it if Design Practice was more practical. I for one would like to have an impressive piece of design to put in a portfolio – “Look what I can do, please give me a job”

I’m also not sure how satisfying writing a brief for a project that never will be, would be. I would find it hard to get excited about something that will never materialise. I’m sure we would learn something in the process but I think it would be more meaningful if we could apply Norman’s method of evaluation to something that we actually made ourselves as we would have an understanding of the decisions we made during the design process, why we made them and could then begin to look at possible alternatives that may have been more suitable without compromising usability or aesthetic appeal.

I think this learner outcome from the course document is what I would like to focus on for the remainder of the module:

– Implement and produce coherent on-screen design for interfaces (i.e. web
page, DVD menus, interactive games/e-learning apps, etc.)

Brian