Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Design Explorations
SCQF level: 08:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: DES08132
Module leader: Peter Buwert
School School of Arts and Creative Industries
Subject area group: Art Design and Photography
Prerequisites

There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added
Description of module content:

What are the foundations of our design processes? How do we apply them and what are their impacts? Who do these processes serve? Who do they neglect and exclude? How can we reflect on, and evaluate our design processes in order to improve them? In this interdisciplinary design module you will critically examine and reflect on commonly employed design processes, exploring how our designing might become better informed and more critically reflective, in order to better serve our communities and environments.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Apply knowledge and understanding of key theoretical concepts within design activity

LO2: Critically analyse, evaluate, and reflect on design processes

LO3: Critically reflect on the evolving nature and role of design activity within complex social contexts

LO4: Utilise iterative testing and evaluation approaches to gain feedback, explore, develop, and implement insights within design processes to improve outcomes

LO5: Communicate key insights gained through research and design processes to relevant audiences
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 2, IN PERSON,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: IN PERSON
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Peter Buwert
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 12 Through weekly interactive talks, tutors will introduce you to key ideas, ways of thinking, and practical processes, which you will explore further through assigned coursework tasks, group discussion and independent study.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 24 In weekly class sessions you will explore the ideas presented in the weekly talks by tutors further through interactive practical tasks, discussion and reflection.
Face To Face GROUPIND_STUDY 24 Each week you will meet with your peer-learning group of classmates to discuss and support each other with your learning on the module, and to work together on practical coursework assignments.
Online Guided independent study 140 You will be provided with starting points for reading and resources to guide your independent study as you explore course content and work to complete coursework assignments outside of scheduled class time.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Portfolio 100 1~2~3~4~5 Week 13 , WORDS= Portfolio Summative assessment will take place through a single submission of a portfolio of work in week 13. This submission will constitute 100% of your summative module grade. The portfolio will present a selection of the tasks you have undertaken throughout the module. These might include, for example: curated process/sketchbook work; a written or verbal presentation reflecting on key theoretical concepts in design (500 words equivalent); a report presenting and reflecting on insights gained through iterative testing and evaluation at different levels of fidelity (2,500 words equivalent).The portfolio must demonstrate a clear theoretical and practical understanding of the role and operation of design processes within complex social contexts. Portfolios will be assessed based on their overall demonstration of achievement of module learning outcomes, rather than solely on specific attributes of individual tasks. In this way the portfolio submission will allow you to present a personalised account of your engagement and activity throughout the module in order to demonstrate that you have achieved the learning outcomes for the module.
Component 1 subtotal: 100
Component 2 subtotal: 0
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader
 

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