2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DESN5152M Design Thinking

20 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Maria Lonsdale
Email: m.lonsdale@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module explores the way designers and companies think about and approach design projects. This will be done through theoretical concepts, literature review, and design practice. The module is divided in two main sections: a theory-focused section and a practice-focused section.In the theory-focused section, students will gain a theoretical understanding of design thinking by exploring the four main stages of the design process: research and problem definition, idea development, prototyping, and design evaluation. In the practice-focused section, students will be given a series of short exploratory design briefs focusing on the main specialisms offered in the programme. This will allow students to: 1) explore different areas of design before deciding the theme for their specialist design project; 2) create an opportunity for students to apply theoretical concepts and learn by doing, exploring and experimenting in a wide range of design areas.

Objectives

This module gives students the opportunity to:
- Explore and identify the different stages of intervention in the design process.
- Learn various design concepts, methods, tools and skills to help in the application of creative and design thinking.
- Understand the application of design thinking and creativity via case studies and practical activities (short briefs).

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Engage and respond creatively to short set briefs.
2. Understand and master design concepts, methods, tools and skills and apply them to design projects.
3. Present design solutions effectively.
4. Write critically about design choices made and design solutions given to a particular problem or need.

Skills outcomes
User-centred research and design

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to the module
Week 2: The Design process
Week 3: Brief 1 – Graphic and Visual Communication Design
Week 4: Brief 2 – Typographic Design
Week 5: Interim feedback
Week 6: Brief 3 – Digital and Interactive Design
Week 7: Brief 4 – Information Design
Week 8: Brief 5 – Branding and Packaging Design
Week 9: Brief 6 – Service Design
Week 10: Brief 7 – Instructional Design
Week 11: Design evaluation and feedback

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	4	1.00	4.00
Practical	7	2.00	14.00
Seminar	4	1.00	4.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

To gain confidence to develop and articulate their own ideas, students will engage in private study.

Each lecture is supported by material that is available on the Blackboard VLE. This material provides links to appropriate journal papers, books, videos and websites. Digital copies of the lectures will be also available on the VLE so that students can follow up in a systematic and structured manner.

Students will bring and discuss their ideas to the lectures, allowing them to gain confidence in their own critical thinking. Students will also be asked to find and provide design examples to show their understanding of the theoretical content addressed in the lecture.

- Literature search and reading: 50 hours
- Independent research and preparation: 58 hours
- Preparation of visual, written and verbal assessed outcomes: 70 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through:
- Regular attendance at lectures, seminars and practical classes (absences dealt with through the normal School channels).
- Participation in lectures, seminars and practical classes.
- Feedback will be given in every class from week 3 to 10. An interim feedback session will be held in week 5 and a final feedback session will be held in week 11 before submission in week 12.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Project Report 2,500-3,000 words	40.00
Portfolio	7 short briefs outcomes	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Due to the range of briefs, double marking will be substituted by check marking.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2017

Disclaimer

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