TY1SK-Skills for design practice

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Mrs Rachel Warner
Email: r.e.warner@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module focuses on developing technical skills for design practice, in particular design software skills, as well as providing a foundation for workplace skills such as time management and constructive evaluation of design processes and outcomes.

Aims:

To develop skills in industry standard design software to support your design practice and to explore a variety of approaches and solutions to design problems.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Plan and implement a programme of work to address strengths and weaknesses in design and software skills


• Generate a range of ideas in response to online tutorials


• Use appropriate software to effectively carry out design tasks


• Demonstrate engagement with a range of software learning resources for designers


• Evaluate soft ware learning resources and reflect on what can be learned from them

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop time management skills and engage with ways of independent working that will help them to develop design skills for professional practice.

Outline content:

In the first few weeks of the course students will evaluate their existing design and design software skills. Students will complete and evaluate compulsory project briefs and associated online tutorials to learn core design software and develop basic create animation skills. They will then develop a programme of work suited to their own strengths and weaknesses by selecting from a range of online tutorials which will address topics such as:

• digital photograph y, and image correction


• working with vector images


• working with raster images


• adapting digital letterforms


• formatting text and layout


• using templates

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Following a plenary briefing, students complete a compulsory set of project briefs and tutorials that cover core design software, before developing their own programme of study for the remainder of the module by selecting from a range of project briefs. The module focuses on building independent learning skills, self-directed learning, supported through task-based learning and exploratory exercises. Students are expected to work consistently on their own programme of work throughout the two t erms. Tutorials in each provide guidance at key milestones.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	1
Tutorials	1	1
Guided independent study:	48	49
Total hours by term	50	50
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:

The first submission, in autumn term (outcomes from three design tasks, completed learning log, and blog post), will comprise 30% of the module mark.



The second, in summer term (outcomes from five design tasks, completed learning log, a blog post, and a screencast), will comprise 70% of the module mark. 

Formative assessment methods:

In addition to ongoing feedback through online forums, and by email, individual feedback will be provided through tutorials at significant milestones. Summative feedback on the first series of tasks will also provide formative feedback for the remainder, giving students guidance as to which optional tasks to select, as well as how to approach them.

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 coursework by a specified date during the August re-examination period.

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: None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: None

Last updated: 22 June 2021