2023/24 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

ODES5112M Design in a Digital World

15 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Kimberly Sheen
Email: texkshe@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Jan to 28 Feb, 1 Jan to 28 Feb (adv year), 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are required to meet the programme entry requirements prior to studying the module

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Digital technologies and platforms provide a broad field of application for communication design. Developing effective solutions for those channels require a knowledge on how to best deliver a message, taking in consideration characteristics of digital and interactive media, as well as theories in design and communication. When effectively designed, solutions in digital communication can be highly informative, persuasive, and engaging. Digital communication design can be applied to diverse sectors and industries, from entertainment to civic engagement, branding to data journalism, instruction to education. This module provides insight into key aspects of digital communication design. Students will learn theory and principles on User Experience, User Interface, and Interaction Design; Information Design; and Branded Interactions. These theoretical frameworks will provide them with tools to both evaluate and propose design solutions.

Objectives

This module will give students the opportunity to:

1. Critically discuss current design practices,
2. Conceptualise solutions that reflect relevant theories and effective design principles, applied to a variety of digital platforms and channels.
3. Learn about challenges and opportunities in the use of digital media and platforms for informing, persuading, and engaging audiences in sectors as diverse as data journalism, branding, and citizen science.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of relevant theories and principles in digital communication design, and their application in a variety of sectors.
2. Evaluate pre-existing communication design solutions considering key theoretical frameworks of reference.
3. Propose effective communication design solutions informed by relevant theories and principles, given context of application.

Syllabus

Indicative content for this module includes:

1. Introduction to digital media and communication.
2. UX/UI and Interaction Design for communication.
3. Institutional/brand communication and persuasion.
4. Digital communication and information design.
5. Digital design for collaboration and engagement
6. Accessible and inclusive digital design

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	6	1.00	6.00
Discussion forum	6	2.00	12.00
Independent online learning hours			12.00
Private study hours			120.00
Total Contact hours			18.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Independent online learning (12 hours):
Online learning materials provide links to appropriate journal papers, books, videos and websites. Students need to plan their own time to study these instructional and supporting materials independently before and after synchronised sessions.

To gain confidence to develop and articulate their own ideas, students will engage in private study (120 hours):
- Explore further online materials: 24 hours
- Independent research: 18 hours
- Preparation and evaluation of assessed work: 78 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Online learning materials will provide regular opportunity for students to check their understanding (for example through formative MCQs with automated feedback).

The individual unit webinars and discussion forums provide opportunities for formative feedback from peers and tutors.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Mock-ups or prototypes of final design solution (visual) and report including introduction to problem, rationale, development and concept for solution (1000-1500 words).	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The project report consists of two elements: 1) mock-ups or prototypes of final design solution; 2) A project report for design/re-design of digital communication solution, informed by relevant theories and fully referenced, 1000-1500 words. These elements are submitted together.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 16/08/2023

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