Studio - Content Design

 

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Main Description show detail >>
 
 
 
Department: Creative Media and Info Tech Module Code: PROJ91005
Level: Level 9 Contact Hours: 48
Duration: 1 Semester Directed Study Hours: 0
Effective Term: 2011/12 Indep. Study Hours: 152
Credits: 10

Prerequisite Knowledge:

  Honours degree in cognate subject or APL

Module Description/Aims:

  Within the Studio - Content Design module students will focus on self-initiated, reflective work practices, which will be supported through weekly critique sessions, by a collective pool of lecturing/supervisory staff, and fortnightly supervisory meetings. This module will engender a culture of independent learning and creative exploration in the context of a well-supported, disciplined and challenging environment, reflective of professional media practice. Students will conceive content-driven media artefacts, and devise strategies for bringing them to fruition.
On completion of the module, students will produce a complex Design Proposal Document, which will provide the structure and plan for the Studio - Content Production component of the programme in Semester 2. The module will be delivered as a half-day session, (4 hours), where lecturing staff, with a range of relevant expertise, will be available to discuss project proposals and the various stages of pre-production.
 


 
Contact Hours show detail >>
   
 
Contact Type Hours
Practical/Workshop.5 Every 2 Weeks
Practical/Workshop3.75 Per Week


 
Learning Outcomes show detail >>
   
 
On successful completion of the module, the learner will be able to:
No. Description/Learning Outcomes
1Generate a project concept and utilise the studio model to interrogate and evolve the concept, from initial iteration to the production planning phase
2Take personal responsibility for the progression of a media project throughout the various stages of its production
3Produce a detailed Design Proposal Document, within the framework and guidelines provided, which will address the Production and Post-Production phases of a creative media artefact
4Analyse work and creative practice, independently, and as part of a collective peer group in critique sessions
5Reflect upon individual work-practices, identify strengths and challenges in practice patterns and address methods to extend and improve working practices
6Synthesise the relative knowledge, and resulting content, from other programme components and allow this to inform studio practice, integrate this material into the Design Proposal Document
7Work autonomously and as part of a group, initiate meetings with members of the collective pool of supervisory academics and utilise resources available


 
Learning Strategies show detail >>
   
 
Learning Strategies
A programme co-ordinator will assume responsibility for the arrangements associated with undertaking projects, including monitoring the progress of the student group as a whole and organising the assessment of productions.
Projects may be prepared on an individual, or group, basis and will be supervised by a member of the related course boards. A collective group (pool) will meet early in the academic year to review project proposals and outline specifications. Over the course of this module students will develop their own detailed Project Proposals in response to specifications provided.
During the early stages of the Content Design module students will be expected to identify their `area of interest?. While ideas need not be wholly defined at the very outset, they will need to have identified particular questions and loci of attention. The student, with advice from supervisor(s), will establish detailed project specifications in terms of individual objectives, methods and resource requirements. The student will meet regularly with the supervisor who will monitor progress, checking achievement against the agreed (original, or revised) objectives.
Over the course of the semester, each student will make 2 interim and 1 final presentation of their project, in a formal setting, to their peers and to members of the supervisory collective. The final presentation of the research and design will be made at the end of the semester.
Throughout the semester the proposed concepts will be evaluated from a range of perspectives during critique sessions; presentations and submission of reflective journals/sketchbooks. The Critique Sessions and collective workshops will be delivered in a dedicated studio space, allocated to the MA Creative Media candidates, to facilitate the Studio - Content Design module. Collective sessions will allow the students to reflect on their creative processes and those of others.
Some aspects of the programme, such as guest lectures, will be delivered remotely within the fully-equipped dedicated workspace provided
This module will potentially support either individual or collaborative project proposals and will assist the students in their interrogation of the project idea, any roles within it and it?s planned execution. Any collaborative aspects must be identified, thoroughly explored and documentated at the pre-production stage.
While the student?s creative processes will be supported directly through this module, it is envisaged that the other concurrent modules will impact the work produced in the studio module. These influences will too be represented in the final Design Proposal document, such as: the research methodologies used to explore the area of interest; the ability to critique and contextualise the proposed artifact; the engagement with appropriate technologies; the commercialisation of the proposal deliverable where appropriate and/or, the professional issues surrounding its production. The Studio Practice module thereby brings the independent modules together, to ensure that ideas are thoroughly challenged via this array of contexts.
The sections of the Major Design Proposal Document:<br>Section 1: Technology, Art, Society: Theories of Displacement, Fracture and Simulacra<br>Section 2: Creative Media Research (included as the submission for assessment for the Research module)<br>Section 3: Technologies in Context (included as the submission for assessment for the Technologies in context module)<br>Section 4: Professional Practice/Issues (included as the submission for assessment for the Professional Practice module)<br>Section 5: Studio Practice (Design) - Creative processes and content pre-production (included as the submission for assessment for the Studio Practice module) Students will outline their creative process and the planned execution of their major project using a set of headings provided<br>
Section 5 - Design Proposal Document will include:<br>Part A: Working Title; Project Rational/ Background of proposed work; Aim(s) and Objective(s) of proposed work; Identification of Audience/Context<br>Part B:Form, Media and Format choices for the proposed work; Technical Research & Delivery Mechanism(s); Anticipated Challenges for Production and Post-Production stages; Content Documents for each phase (i.e. what content will be generated for each component) and Anticipated user experience<br>Part C: Ideas Log; Process Trail; Sketching; Information Structures; Navigation/Interactivity Structure; Schematics; Storyboards; scripts; maps; illustrative diagrams, Visual flats or models where applicable<br>Part D: Functional technological research; basic working application of any new software or hardware, if applicable<br>Iterative prototyping (cognitive walkthrough using simulations, audience response)<br>Part E: Log of processes, Reflective jounals/sketchbooks<br>
The Indicative Syllabus Content of the Studio Content Design module outlines a set of 10 areas and associated practices that may be addressed over the course of the module. These 10 areas are listed to provide detail and clarity in relation to the chronology and structure of the module. For the purposes of assessment these 10 headings will be assessed over 3 assessments, bundled together as a 10%, 30% and 60% assessment respectively
Hard copy and electronic reading lists will be devised on a year-by-year basis, and will be given to students as part of the Project Guidelines Documentation. In addition to this each student will devise their own reading list which will be dependent on their area of interest.


 
Indicative Syllabus Content show detail >>
   
 
Content Detail
Diagnostics; Identification of areas of interest; Reflective practice:Candidates will identify and classify media specialisations, determine their existing capabilities, and identify areas for potential development
Concept generation; proposal ideas:Interrogation of Ideas; presentation of concepts, communication and articulation of approaches
Collaborative and Independent processes:Communications and management for creative processes; techniques and methods for working in creative environments, visualisation techniques, communicating ideas
Creative Processes: Candidates will identify critique, log and evolve their creative processes using tangible and electronic sketchbooks and reflective journals
On-going Critical Analysis and Contextualisation: Critiquing progess weekly and building contextual histories around the area of interest, across a range of media types, from the perspectives of people, activities, contexts and technologies
Treatment Statements; how to address the proposed idea: Identification of the scope of the proposed project; Identification of defining conceptual issues of the proposed project and how they are to be explored
Alternative views/approaches: 360˚ analysis of the project concepts, from a range of perspectives and areas of expertise; reconciling differing perspectives
Devices for Organising and Communicating Media concepts:Ideas Log/Sketchbooks and journals; Sketching; Information Structures; Navigation/Interactivity Structure; Schematics;
Storyboards; Scripts; Scores; Maps; Illustrative Diagrams, Visual Flats or Models where applicable
Production methods & Resourcing: Resources, techniques and technologies required for delivery of project; Schedules; Budgets, and IP
Technical enquiry: Prototyping and iterative evaluations, technical skills research and skills acquisition


 
Assessment Strategies show detail >>
   
Assessment Strategies
Initial proposal pitch - concept outlined in under 1000 words, supporting media references and content samples where appropriate. Submission of relevant sketchbooks and journals
Production of an academic Poster and accompanying presentation, this should include the proposed project concept and should detail the approaches and processes they intend to use to progress the project developement. Students will be required to illustrate a comprehensive degree of enquiry into their chosen media genre and their project concept.
Students will present the final concept(s) and discuss their evolution. Students will produce a Design Proposal Document which will provide a roadmap for the project production phase, (Section 5), including a variety of media which will augment the written component within the document. This will be developed with guidance from the supervisor. Students will identify the resources required for the build phase and sourcing of this material should begin at this stage.
Repeat Assessment Strategy:
Students will be afforded the opportunity to resubmit the document at the early stages of Semester 2. Assessment of the repeat submission will involve the recreation of the design proposal, in response to a set of defined criteria, taking on-board critique to date. Students will be required to attend a presentation and a question and answers session assessing all aspects of the design (100%).
If a candidate fails the Studio Practice Design module it would not be feasible for them to continue with the production phase.


 
Indicative Assessments show detail >>
   
Learning Outcome Assessment Category Assessment Method Additional Information % alloc
1, 2, 7Continuous AssessmentPresentationStudents are required to present (pitch) their initial proposals to the panel and their peers. Following this they must review their concept by considering feedback and further research. Supporting sketchbook/journal contributions will be made available for this assessment.10
1, 2, 4, 5, 7Continuous AssessmentPoster PresentationAn interim presentation of project development is presented to the panel as a combined presentation and poster session. Supporting sketchbook/journal contributions will be made available for this assessment phase. 30
1, 2, 3, 6, 7Final Exam (Other)Research ProposalThis submission includes a presentation of the final design to the examiners, submission of the Design Proposal Document which details comprehensive research, development and findings and associated media content. Supporting sketchbook/journal contributions will be made available for this assessment phase. 60


 
Reading List show detail >>
   
 
Type ISBN Title Author Publisher Year Edition Library Link
Essential0465068782The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think In Action
Donald A. Schon
Basic Books
1983-


 
Journals and Websites show detail >>
   
 
Type Description
Course MaterialDynamic hard copy and electronic reading lists will be devised on a year-by-year basis, and will be given to students as part of the Project Guidelines Documentation. In addition to this each student will devise their own reading list which will be dependent on their area of interest.
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