Contextualising Design, Process and Practice
“Take a simple idea and take it seriously”
— Charlie Munger.
Information
Contextual Studies:
Devised to encourage learners to make imaginative links between history, theory, writing, research and design practice. It is also an opportunity for learners to develop themselves intellectually and culturally beyond the scope of their core studies and develop their own voice.
To participate in critical enquiry, to improve their skills and establish an individual practice that not only supports them in academia but in a challenging and demanding work environment. It will also examine design for commerce, sustainability, community and culture.
Overview:
Year one, learners are equipped for a challenging workplace with skills such as research methods, methodologies, and ideation and a set of tools for designing while examining industry standard design practices. During Year two learners are introduced to skills such as, presentation and communication some elements of this will also be taught in year one, two and three. Year three focuses on developing an individual professional practice examining employability and aspects of entrepreneurialism.
Summary: Year One
Developing theory, history, research, writing and practice:
● Contextual Studies History of Graphic Design - lectures, design practitioner series and practical
exercises (for example, design movements)
● Principles of Design - lectures and practical exercises (for example, alignment
and hierarchy etc)
● Typographic (typography and graphic design) Exploration and Experimentation - lectures and practical exercises (focusing on implementing design principles)
● Contextual and Theoretical Studies One - lectures and practical exercises (for example, critical
thinking, research, theories, presentation, practice, and models to develop research/writing
skills etc)
Studio Practice
Projects are devised to allow you to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. The aim is for learners to push boundaries and challenged and interrogate ideas. It also focuses exploring areas such as, commerce, sustainability, community and culture.
Technical Skills
Introduction to industry standard software - focusing on appropriateness and use, and critical thinking and creative problem solving examining how the use of software is an aid to design development, processes, and final artefact.
Summary: Year Two
Developing theory, history, research, writing and practice:
● Narrative, Methods, Methodologies, Form and Function - lectures and practical exercises
● Group Project - lectures and practical exercises
● Typographic Exploration and Experimentation - lectures and practical exercises
● Contextual and Theoretical Studies Two (for example, critical thinking, research, theories,
presentation practice etc ) - lectures and practical exercises
Studio Practice
Projects are devised to allow you to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills and is an important element of graphic design. The aim is for learners use the knowledge they have gained in year one and experiment further armed with knowledge of design theories, history, processes and practice, to build and strengthen their design work with narratives that visually tells a story about, for example, sustainability, community and culture etc.
Technical Skills
Introduction to industry standard software - focusing on appropriateness and use, thus building on the previous year learners will engage with a range of skills.
Summary: Year Three
Developing theory, history, research, writing and practice:
● Narrative, Methods, Methodologies, Form and Function - lectures and practical exercises
● Group Project - lectures and practical exercises
● Typographic Exploration and Experimentation (focusing on narrative, symbolism and form etc)
- lectures and practical exercises
● Contextual and Theoretical Studies Three (for example, critical thinking, research, theories,
presentation practice etc) - lectures and practical exercises
Studio Practice
Learners are encouraged to develop their own projects supported by their tutor. Typographic workshops are included as they enable learners to develop a project to its completion. The major project encourage learners to narrow their focus and underpin a strong conceptual articulated rationale and position. There is also a final presentation and exhibition of portfolio work.
Major Project: Research/Writing
This major project consists of researching an area of interest and utilising methods/methodologies of research that has been taught throughout the course and writing a 5,000-word report. This piece of writing is prepared alongside the learner's practical project.