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2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DESN5125M Design Futures

30 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Ms Vanessa Walker
Email: v.j.walker@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Sep to 31 Jan (Adv pre 2223) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module encourages critical thinking and application of theoretical knowledge in combination with imagination, intuition, instinct and empathy in relation to Design Futures in constructing future scenarios and creating proposals for user-centred digital products and services.Students will develop a critical insight into digital technology and its various applications, the principles of disruption and re-definition of the value of technology within social priorities. Equally, by understanding and applying the principle theories of social science and philosophy, students will be capable of informed judgement in reviewing their creative solutions from the perspective of relevance and impact on audiences.

Objectives

Three laboratories form the structure and content of this module; Interactive Futures, Social Science and Philosophy.
Interactive Futures: Students will develop an understanding of the intangible nature of digital communications (particularly in relation to participation and consumption), mechanisms and future development of interactive media and its impact on society, with a particular focus on mobile communications, social media and the Web of Things. Under the theme “User Interface / the network“ internet services are examined, categorized and analysed and the potential of new developments in a changing media landscape identified and to understand how digital technologies can be applied to positively disrupt and re-imagine current practices.
Social Science: Students study social media within the context of developing power structures (social, economic and political) and the liquid nature of contemporary social boundaries. Equally, distinctions between private and public, work and leisure, production and consumption, individual and collective action, networking and autonomy, spatial distance and co-presence, anonymity and knowledge, appearance and disappearance, and visibility and invisibility, are blurring. This laboratory will investigate and analyse the dichotomy of whether social media creates opportunities for democratic action, or is an instrument of control and commerce.
Philosophy: Understanding how to apply philosophical theory in relation to human behaviour and decision-making, recognise the importance of philosophical concepts in identifying problems and the transfer of knowledge in order to influence a creative proposal with social impact.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of/ability to:
• In-depth knowledge of historical and contemporary case studies of innovation and digital technology.
• In-depth knowledge of key theories, writers and debates in relation to
digital technology.
• Understanding of current and future developments in relation to interactive media.
• Transfer and apply knowledge and theory about digital technology to develop on and off line communications with social impact.
• Transfer and apply Social Science theory to develop socially relevant solutions.
• Transfer and apply Philosophy theory to develop communication strategies with empathy.

Skills outcomes
Demonstrate the ability to effectively apply a range of theoretical understanding and subject knowledge in articulating the development and generation of interactive products or services and produce outline proposals for implementation or improvement for future scenarios.
Ability to describe and explain design thinking and design theories; ability to conceptualise an interactive design project, create a design strategy and to develop creative proposals; knowledge of key tools and technologies relevant to digital design.


Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction to the module
Week 2: Conceptualising Interactive Design Futures
Week 3: Interactive Futures Lab
Week 4: Social Science Lab (interim critique)
Week 5: Philosophy Lab
Week 6: Applying theory to strategy and idea generation
Week 7: Specification for interactive proposals
Week 8: Develop creative interactive proposals (interim critique)
Week 9: Tools for interactive design
Week 10: Integrated interactive communication platforms
Week 11: Presentation and critique

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture71.007.00
Practical114.0044.00
Seminar71.007.00
Independent online learning hours92.00
Private study hours150.00
Total Contact hours58.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

The interactive content of this module requires that significant online learning hours are allocated for the purposes of developing in-depth knowledge in relation to interactive media and future forecasting. However, given that this module occurs during the student exchange period, there will also be opportunities (via the programme’s dedicated online community) for significant interaction, discussion and sharing of knowledge to supplement independent online learning.
Students will be provided with a framework to engage with private study, led by instruction and guidance from academic staff and discussion groups in the practical sessions. Digital copies of lectures will be provided and uploaded to the VLE alongside audio, visual and online reading material. Critical thinking skills will be developed through on-going presentation critiques where feedback by both academic staff and fellow students can assist in continual development and review of current proposals.
• Library search, selection of brief: 20 hours
• Identification and critical review of background literature, research methods and other sources: 20 hours
• Preparation of project plan: 10 hours
• Research: 20 hours
• Creative development: 30 hours
• Production of innovation project outputs (boards, portfolio, report, log): 50

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Interim critique sessions are planned at key strategic points within the module i.e at 4 and 8 weeks. The purpose of these sessions is to provide both formative and diagnostic feedback in order that students can reflect and review their current work and consider amendment or review based on the feedback provided. These sessions are viewed as essential for the development of effective communication and presentation methods and in order to assist in the development of critical thinking and the exercise of judgement and leadership qualities.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Literature Review1250-1500 word literature review20.00
Oral Presentation5 minute project presentation20.00
Reflective logAccurate recording and documentation of the research and creative proposal development for both group and individual project (approximate word length = 2000 – 3000 words, though there will be no outer limit).20.00
PortfolioDesign Futures Project; including research insights, problem analysis, strategic and conceptual approach, creative solution and execution.40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Formative feedback provided at week 8.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 11/09/2018

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