TY1DAT-Design across time

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Summer term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites: TY1HG1 History of graphic communication 1 and TY1PRI Printing and printmaking
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Rob Banham
Email: r.e.banham@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Centuries of development and change in print and graphic communication have developed from the rich interplay of technologies, personalities, cultural movements, and stylistic trends. In this module you will develop an understanding of both long-term trends and specific details, making connections across design history. You will combine research with design practice in responding to a creative design brief that will explore ways in which graphic communication can engage, inform, and educate. The module will take place in summer term, allowing BA Graphic Communication students to spread their workload across the year.

Aims:

This module aims to provide students with a means to make connections across history, technology, styles, and cultures through a combination of practical design work and research. Students will build on their work in TY1HG1 and TY1PRI while learning about how design can both engage and inform audiences effectively. They will become more proficient in gathering and synthesising historical information and consider how to use design to structure, link, and communicate their findings. Through secondary reading, personal reflection, and a practical design task, students will be encouraged to engage in critical debate about how we teach about and learn from the past.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to

• demonstrate creative thinking in response to a design problem


• develop, implement, and explain appropriate concepts/solutions


• structure and present information to achieve effective communication


• outline the main developments in various aspects of the history of graphic communication and discuss their interrelation


• reflect on and contextualise thei r learning about the history of graphic communication


• develop skills in academic research and writing

Additional outcomes:

Students will additionally develop their skills in

• project management


• working collaboratively


• expressing ideas, and presenting and critiquing design work

Outline content:

Students will combine research and design work as part of a team to create a timeline/diagram/explanation of key points in the history of graphic communication. At the end of the project, students will have used graphic communication to structure and communicate centuries of design history and development.

Global context:

Students will examine the work of a diverse range of technologies and graphic designers from a variety of countries and cultures and consider issues relating to the decolonization of design history.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module is centred around a practical design task, but one which requires academic reading and writing to complete. Teaching will combine seminars and practical studio classes to support critical, exploratory reading and practical design work. In these sessions, and in guided independent study, students will need to be able conduct this work as individuals, but also combine their work with classmates.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars			4
Practicals classes and workshops			4
Supervised time in studio/workshop			12
Guided independent study:
Advance preparation for classes		60
Group study tasks			20
Total hours by term	0	60	40
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

A single coursework project containing both academic writing and practical graphic communication work. The project assessment contains mark both for individual research and design, and the combination of the individual research and design as part of a larger group project. Students will be shown the marking criteria for assessment at the start of the module.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative feedback is given during the project in seminars and practical classes.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of individual elements of failed coursework

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: None

2) Specialist equipment or materials: None

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: None

4) Printing and binding: £5–10

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 27 June 2022