2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

DESN5180M Design Speculation

40 creditsClass Size: 50

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

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Speculative design is a design practice whereby designers use critical thinking to rethink current systems, products and ways of living to produce alternative tangible futures which can then be interrogated by stakeholders. In this module through lectures and case studies, students will be introduced to this area of design practice and will use the acquired knowledge to produce a creative speculative project.

Objectives

This module gives students the opportunity to develop an appreciation of differing perspectives regarding speculative design. They will gain a critical understanding of how to imagine and present near-future products, systems and services & learn how to work in an ethical manner. Finally, they will be introduced to the tools used in order to create a speculative design project of their own.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will have provided evidence of being able to:
1. Show consideration of the differing perspectives on speculative design.
2. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate speculative design projects.
3. Use speculative design tools in an ethical manner.
4. Illustrate the ability to imagine and present near-future products, systems or services.
5. Complete a creative project incorporating speculative design.

Syllabus

This module will deliver a combination of lectures & practical sessions in XLAB. Lectures will familiarise students with the area of speculative design by exploring a variety of perspectives and approaches. Students will learn how it can be used for research as well in a commercial context. A focus will be on ways to achieve a critical mindset and how to work ethically. They will then be taught the various tools and how to apply them to projects in a variety of contexts

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	11	1.00	11.00
Practicals	11	3.00	33.00
Tutorial	3	1.00	3.00
Independent online learning hours			80.00
Private study hours			273.00
Total Contact hours			47.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			400.00

Private study

Private study

To gain confidence to develop and articulate their own ideas, students will engage in private study.
· Literature search and reading: 100 hours
· Independent research and preparation: 100 hours
· Preparation and evaluation of assessed outcomes: 73 hours

Independent online learning

Each lecture and practical class is supported by material that is available on the Minerva. This material provides links to appropriate journal papers, books, videos and websites. Digital copies of the lectures will be also available on Minerva so that students can follow up in a systematic and structured manner.
· Reviewing supplied material online (papers, books, videos & websites): 80 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored through:
* Regular attendance at lectures, practicals and tutorials (absences dealt with through the normal School channels).
* Participation in lectures, practicals and tutorials.
* Feedback given in every tutorial.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	Project Report inc literature review 3000-4000 words (Individual)	40.00
Portfolio	Final design output(s) fully developed, implemented and evaluated. (Group)	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/09/2022

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