2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN1245 Creative Thinking

20 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Catherine Stones
Email: c.m.stones@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module explores the subject of ‘creativity’ both from a theoretical and practical perspective. In this module you will learn how creativity is examined within the disciplines of both Psychology (what is creativity and how it can be defined/measured?) and Design (what design processes can foster creativity?). It allows you to learn and practice a range of creative tools, individually and in teams, to improve your own design process whilst also examining how creative practitioners from a range of disciplines talk about their own personal creativity. In interactive workshops a range of theories and principles are introduced and examined. Students work individually and in groups using in-class ideation exercises or short research projects to devise and evaluate processes and solutions for a range of design challenges

Objectives

This module explores the subject of ‘creativity’ both from a theoretical and practical perspective.
You will learn how creativity is defined and how it can be nurtured within a range of design-related contexts.
It allows you to learn and practice a range of creative tools to improve your own design process whilst also examining how creative practitioners from a range of disciplines talk about their own personal creativity.
Interactive workshops introduce you to a range of theories and principles for you to apply. You’ll work both individually and in groups on short creative challenges.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Understand and apply key principles/terms of creative thinking from a range of literatures/disciplines to their own practice.
2. Understand and utilise a range of creative thinking techniques in response to a range of design challenges.
3. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate creative outcomes and processes.
4. Demonstrate ability to participate in and reflect on team work in the context of creative thinking.

Syllabus

Indicative Content for Workshop Themes
1. What is Creativity
2. Research skills for divergent thinking/concept development
3. Sketching Techniques for optimising creative thinking
4. Lateral Thinking - Divergent and Convergent Thinking
5. Random and Bi-Association
6. Collaborative and Inclusive Creativity
7. Moving between literal and metaphorical approaches
8. Concepts of Time and Flow
9. Measuring Creativity and Evaluating Creative Work.
10. Opportunities and Challenges of AI

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	11	2.00	22.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

· 28 hours of primary research (site visits, encounters, observation)

· 20 hours of set reading /looking.

· 10 hours group meetings

· 90 Hours of creative practice and written reflection (individual)

· 30 hours of creative practice and written reflection (team)

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students will receive feedback on their portfolios /portfolios within group crits. These will take place twice during the semester. There will be additional opportunities throughout the workshops for optional/informal feedback.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Group Project	1 x Group Creative Project (verbal and visual response to a design challenge)	30.00
Portfolio	1 x Portfolio of Creative Practice (individual)	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Both projects include an evaluative report. This is a report written at the end of the projects that evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of various methods tried. The resit will consist of an individual portfolio submission only.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/04/2023 14:38:37

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