TYMCDP-Communication Design: Reflective Practice

Module Provider: Typography
Number of credits: 90 [45 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Ruth Blacksell
Email: r.e.blacksell@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to reflective practice in selected areas of communication design, and enables the development of high levels of competence in the respective areas of design practice. It develops key concepts and methodologies of work in communication design, and assists students to form an understanding of the demands of professional practice. It supports the development of good working methodologies and independent learning skills in design practice. Students work on a series of projects selected in consultation with teaching staff. This module is delivered at University of Reading.

Aims:

This module aims to develop thinking in the practice of a range of areas in communication design. It focuses on systematic and thorough approaches to researching and realising practical outputs at a high level of competence, and equips students with the skills to respond to design briefs with an understanding of the context in terms of design discourse, past practice, and technological constraints. In particular, it helps to form an understanding of the demands of professional practice.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

• analyse, evaluate, and respond to the problem posed by the brief;


• research primary and secondary sources relevant to a specific project;


• explore alternative approaches to the brief;


• demonstrate working methods appropriate to task and resources;


• show evidence of sensitivity to the needs of users and readers, with an ability to utilise genre attributes;


• demonstrate craft skills and technical competence and an understanding of technical issues for production;


• present work effectively, supported by evidence of the development of their design thinking;


• show independent initiative and explore alternative approaches to a problem.

Additional outcomes:

Students should be able to work as part of a team, effectively contribute to meetings, take responsibility for the outcomes of their work, build their own additional learning objectives into a project and explain their work in public, integrate relevant research into practice, understand project management in design, and recognise current professional developments.

Outline content:

Global context:

The module situates practical work within the context of a rapidly evolving technological environment in communication design, and with sensitivity to the patterns of development in the field in different geographic areas. Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the impact of technology, and changes in social conditions globally, and integrate an awareness of evolving issues of inclusion and diversity in their work.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Teaching takes place in a series of weekly tutorials, demonstrations, and critiques which run throughout the Autumn, Spring, and Summer terms. Regular and visiting members of staff and invited lecturers or demonstrators contribute with sessions or workshops on specific topics, to guide students to develop relevant skills. The sessions are informal, and facilitate group discussion of project work. Students are encouraged to be reflective about their own work, both in private through work files , and in public during tutorial meetings. They are expected to question and defend the choices they and other students make. Students engage in a range of reflective actions (short presentations of their work to the cohort, outlines of decisions and working practices, annotating their work with reflective texts) to explain their design process.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Tutorials	20	20
Supervised time in studio/workshop	80	80	40
Guided independent study:	225	225	210
Total hours by term	325	325	250
Total hours for module	900

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Project output other than dissertation	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students work on a range of projects: some are common across the cohort, and some align with each pathway offered by the Department. The first half of the autumn term comprises common projects across the programme cohort. During that period students select a set of targeted projects to undertake in consultation with staff from the second half of the autumn term onwards.

Formative assessment methods:

Students take part in regular studio sessions with staff, demonstrators, and visitors who offer feedback on work in progress. This happens both on a one-to-one basis and in plenary sessions, such as group critiques.

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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 module mark of 50%.

Reassessment arrangements:

Resubmission of all coursework in the module.

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 September 2022