2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DESN5162M Colour Design

15 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Prof Stephen Westland
Email: s.westland@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module introduces theories and principles of colour design and discusses how they contribute towards effective, usable and understandable design solutions. Colour is an important element of successful design. It has the ability to convey information and to emotionally engage users with products, services and environments. Examples of design outputs that require effective use of colour include web design, app design, leaflet and poster design, product design, fashion and interior design, and many areas of graphic design. Students will respond to set briefs, one focussed around design of a simple product (e.g. the product itself, the packaging, the brand, etc.) and the other around visual appearance (e.g. of a web page, of an app, etc.), in order to put the above theories and principles into practice. They will produce a reflectivework log to document their design process. The first brief will be carried out in small groups whereas the second brief will be individually carried out.

Objectives

This module gives students the opportunity to:
- Learn theoretical and practical aspects of colour design.
- Explore the inter-disciplinary nature of colour design in a variety of contexts – healthcare, manufacturing, marketing, branding, etc.
- Address the specific needs and motivations of clients by using colour effectively.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Analyse and interpret current theories and principles of colour design in order to define a problem or need.
2. Design and develop effective and visually stimulating design solutions in response to a specific problem or need and in relation to real-life settings.
3. Contribute to the implementation and execution of a project to a professional and commercial standard.
4. Take a proactive role in working with others and contribute to the planning and execution of group work.

Skills outcomes
User-centred research and design

Syllabus

This module will cover colour harmony and aesthetics, the role of colour in communication, colour trends and forecasting and the impact of colour on wellbeing.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	7	1.00	7.00
Seminar	15	1.00	15.00
Private study hours			128.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

In order 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 and seminars, 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. The students will engage in two briefs. The first will be the colour design of a simple product (such as a toothbrush) and the second will be the visual design and layout of a web page. Assessment will be through three deliverables: 1. Colour in Product Design: Students will work in groups to explore the use of colour in the design of a product (typically something like a toothbrush although this could vary from year to year). Students will submit a short document (no more than 5 pages) that outlines the rationale for their use of colour, detailing the target consumer, and provides visual representations of the final designs. The document should also detail their individual contribution to the group work. 2. Colour in Web Design: Students will work individually to develop a colour palette for a simple web page. Students will give a verbal presentation to illustrate their final designs and will be asked to justify their use of colour, its relationship with other design elements, and 3. Student will submit a 2000-word written essay on the use of colour in design, highlighting the principles and ideas that they have learned throughout the module.

* Literature search and reading: 30 hours * Independent research and preparation: 40 hours * Preparation and evaluation of assessed outcomes (including usability testing) - 64 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through:
- Regular attendance at lectures and seminars (absences dealt with through the normal School channels).
- Participation in seminars.
- Regular feedback given in seminars. -
- Interim feedback in week 5: Group Project.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Report	Project Report of 1900 to 2100 words	20.00
Group Project	5-page report	40.00
Presentation	Oral presentation	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The re-sit will be an individual creative design project and a 1,500 words project report.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 12/02/2019

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