Product Design Major Project

Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

School:

School of Arts and Humanities

Credit Rating:

Level (including FHEQ):

M (FHEQ Level 7)

Graded or Non Graded:

Graded

Version Valid From:

2022-09-01

Module Leader:

Austin Houldsworth

Version Number

2024.01

Learning Methods

Guided Independent Study

Seminar

Tutorial and Project Supervision

Practical Classes and Demonstrations

Supervised Time in Studio/Workshop

Synopsis

The Major Project is the culmination of your research and development in Product Design. In this module you will undertake a comprehensive design project of your own choice that must be at a level of complexity and depth of resolution comparable to that which pertains in advanced contemporary practice. The … For more content click the Read More button below. You will build upon your project proposal to develop a final stage framework to realise your outcomes, and this may include group work subject to negotiation with your specialist supervisor. The Final Major Project will bring together the aesthetic, functional and professional features in the development of a comprehensive Product Design proposal that will explore and address issues of form generation and ergonomics, modes of representation and testing, manufacturing processes and the development of suitable prototypes, innovations in materials, new developments in digital systems and interfaces, the internet of things and the ethical use of materials. You are required to develop an innovative, rigorous and robust Product Design project informed by a range of technological, social, cultural, ecological, theoretical and professional contexts. You will present your ideas through a design portfolio that may include drawings, illustrations, models, installations, prototypes, films, animations, interactive media, performance and written text.

The Major Project addresses critical issues relating to contemporary Product Design. It is a focused interrogation of technological, theoretical and design contexts and manufacturing processes relevant to the Product Design subject area. The Major Project provides an opportunity for in-depth research into your area of interest and the development of design methods and processes that support this. You will work to research, develop, critically reflect, refine and communicate both your methodological approach, design outcomes and your conclusions.

You will build upon your project proposal to develop a final stage framework to realise your outcomes, and this may include group work subject to negotiation with your specialist supervisor. The Final Major Project will bring together the aesthetic, functional and professional features in the development of a comprehensive Product Design proposal that will explore and address issues of form generation and ergonomics, modes of representation and testing, manufacturing processes and the development of suitable prototypes, innovations in materials, new developments in digital systems and interfaces, the internet of things and the ethical use of materials.

You are required to develop an innovative, rigorous and robust Product Design project informed by a range of technological, social, cultural, ecological, theoretical and professional contexts. You will present your ideas through a design portfolio that may include drawings, illustrations, models, installations, prototypes, films, animations, interactive media, performance and written text.

Learning Strategy

The self-directed focus of this module allows you to dedicate your time and energy to realising your outcomes and outputs for your major project. In this respect, the management of your study is at the core of this module. You will be encouraged to demonstrate a mature and highly self-motivated … For more content click the Read More button below. You will receive seminars, lectures and workshops at the beginning of this module to plan the final stages of your project and to manage this process efficiently, individually or as part of a group. You will continue to work with members of specialist staff and will agree the learning strategy and assessment outcomes for your major project. You will be supported by personal tutorials and small group seminars. Reasonable adjustments will be made for the benefit of students with disabilities in line with the requirements detailed in learning plans provided by Student Services.

You will receive seminars, lectures and workshops at the beginning of this module to plan the final stages of your project and to manage this process efficiently, individually or as part of a group. You will continue to work with members of specialist staff and will agree the learning strategy and assessment outcomes for your major project. You will be supported by personal tutorials and small group seminars.

Reasonable adjustments will be made for the benefit of students with disabilities in line with the requirements detailed in learning plans provided by Student Services.

Outline Syllabus

As part of the final development stage for your major product design project, you will reconsider the critical and contextual frameworks for your outcomes, evaluate the currency and direction of your work, justify the research methods used, and assess the subject-specific approaches taken to realise your outputs. You will draw … For more content click the Read More button below. Input and supervisory support will include such aspects as: Examination of relevant research topics (e.g. product design and its impact on individual and community well-being) and the objectives for your major project.Confirmation of intended outcomes in agreement with your supervisor.The nature of your outcomes/output: portfolio, exhibition, presentation for display, samples, artefacts, digital display, report, written thesis, journal article, book etc.Negotiation of individual outputs and approach to major project.Identification of a personal philosophical or commercial standpoint for the major project.Identification of specific roles and responsibilities for research and outcomes for a group project option.Identification of suitable approaches to design practice, materials and manufacturing processes and the development of the requisite skills to implement them.Evidence of ongoing evaluation of the evolution of concept research and development of ideas.Industry/Commercial/Business/Agencies/Network ideologies and links.Negotiation of format of written work for major project (report, thesis, reflective essay).Presentation and its relevance to your major project. Emphasis will be placed on the realisation of your output(s) in line with the developmental stages of your project proposal.

Input and supervisory support will include such aspects as:

Examination of relevant research topics (e.g. product design and its impact on individual and community well-being) and the objectives for your major project.
Confirmation of intended outcomes in agreement with your supervisor.
The nature of your outcomes/output: portfolio, exhibition, presentation for display, samples, artefacts, digital display, report, written thesis, journal article, book etc.
Negotiation of individual outputs and approach to major project.
Identification of a personal philosophical or commercial standpoint for the major project.
Identification of specific roles and responsibilities for research and outcomes for a group project option.
Identification of suitable approaches to design practice, materials and manufacturing processes and the development of the requisite skills to implement them.
Evidence of ongoing evaluation of the evolution of concept research and development of ideas.
Industry/Commercial/Business/Agencies/Network ideologies and links.
Negotiation of format of written work for major project (report, thesis, reflective essay).
Presentation and its relevance to your major project.

Emphasis will be placed on the realisation of your output(s) in line with the developmental stages of your project proposal.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will

be able to systematically appraise and demonstrate how subject knowledge is advanced through research development to produce original outcomes in Product Design.

be able to critically evaluate and apply selected techniques applicable to the design, development and realisation of contemporary Product Design.

be able to assess the currency, relevance and suitability of your project (individual or group) within the subject specific context.

be able to generate advanced design proposals in a highly resolved and creative piece of Product Design responsive to an innovative and ethical use of form, materials and manufacturing processes.

be able to systematically plan, organise and project manage your outcomes, using appropriate formats.

be able to evaluate and apply a comprehensive range of visual, oral and written media to test, analyse and critically appraise and explain design proposals and to communicate ideas and information in a sophisticated and appropriate professional manner.

Formative Assessment

Assessment 1: Project work

Summative Assessment

Assessment 1: Portfolio

Assessment 2: Written Assignment

Assessment Criteria

Research methodologies for major project (individual or group) are clearly analysed and evaluated to inform intended outcomes and outputs.Major project (individual or group) is contextualised, critically evaluating its framework and the focus of its outcomes in relation to professional design standards.Ability to produce a comprehensive design proposal which satisfies the … For more content click the Read More button below.

Research methodologies for major project (individual or group) are clearly analysed and evaluated to inform intended outcomes and outputs.
Major project (individual or group) is contextualised, critically evaluating its framework and the focus of its outcomes in relation to professional design standards.
Ability to produce a comprehensive design proposal which satisfies the objectives of a brief in a highly resolved technical and creative design solution, to a level of detail comparable to that which pertains in contemporary design practice, is demonstrated.
Professional levels of presentation of content, style, visuals and communication skills, are consistently demonstrated in verbal and written work, using appropriate formats and the University’s preferred choice of referencing systems.

My Reading

Reading List

http://library.hud.ac.uk/my/TMA1451

Dunne, A., Raby, F. (2013). Speculate Everything: Design, Fiction and Social Dreaming. Cambridge MA: MIT Press

Norman, D.A. (2013). THE Design of Everyday Things (Revised and Expanded). Cambridge MA: MIT Press.

Parsons, T. (2009). Thinking: Objects – Contemporary Approaches to Product Design. London: Thames and Hudson.

Rodgers, P. (Editor), Milton, A. (Editor) (2013) Research Methods for Product Design. Laurence King, London. ISBN 9781780673028

Carpo, M. (2017) – The Second Digital Turn: Design Beyond Intelligence. Cambridge MA: MIT Press

Rodgers, P. (Editor), Yee, J. (Editor) (2014). The Routledge Companion to Design Research. Abingdon: Routledge.

Vaughan, L. (Editor) (2017) Practice Based Design Research. London / NY: Bloomsbury Academic.

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