The document outlines the plan and structure for a DES 806 2013 Module. It includes the following key details: - The module runs over 12 weeks, with weekly classes/lectures and assignments on various design topics. - Assignments are graded and contribute different percentages to the overall module mark. - Week 1 covers introductions to design concepts. Weeks 2-5 focus on research methods and user perspectives. Weeks 6-10 involve student presentations and planning assignments. Weeks 11-12 are for final presentations and tutorials. - Typical attributes of a strong student project for the module include a clearly defined problem, well-developed process, consideration of user views, measurable outcomes, self-awareness

1. DES 806 2013 Module Plan
Wk
Class/Lecture
Assignments
Mark %
What is Design?/What makes a good
1
Mdes?/Set postcards
2 Quality before Design
Presentation of postcards
10
3 Value/Principle of totality
Quality before Design
10
Customers/Users
20
Manufacturing/Technology/
Media
20
Time/Place
20
Elevator Pitch + plan
20
4 3 Ways of looking
5 Ethnography/Ethics
6 Presentations
7 Information vs Intuition and Creativity
8 Presentations
9 Planning
10 Presentations
11 Tutorials
12 Presentations

2. What is Design?
is multi-factorial
is rational (defendable
decisions)
solves a problem
maybe novel
Design
maybe highly crafted
maybe creative
is iterative
is a response to a
specification or brief
has a step by step
process and uses
tools
There are a number of things design aspires to be, good, ingenious, creative. etc. Not all
design is these things. I am tempted also to say therefore that Design is inherently
competitive!
http://www.andyrutledge.com/creativity-is-not-design-test-2.php

3. Typical attributes of good MDes project:
A problem clearly stated
MDes
Good Project

4. Typical attributes of good MDes project:
A well developed
method/style/process
Considers views from
users/viewers/customers
A costed, measured,
quantified outcome
A problem clearly stated
Self awareness of practice
Realistic design
proposals
A rational business context
Well presented
MDes
Good Project
Excellent drawing/image
making quality
Organised well written
documentation
Good Planning skills
Completeness
A good technical understanding
Contact with an
external entity
Global context
awareness of own
project work
A clear vision of the final
outcome and its place in the
world
And often has:
Brilliance and Creativity

5. Quality before Design
Context free questions
Meta questions
Who is the client for this project?
Am I asking too many questions?
What is a highly successful solution worth to this
Do the questions seem relevant?
client?
Are you the right person to
What is the real reason for wanting to solve this
answer?
problem?
Are your answers official?
Who are the end users/audience for this project?
Is there somewhere I can go to
Who should be on the Design team?
see this problem?
How much time do we have for this project?
Is there anything else I should
If there was more time would we get greater value?
ask?
Where else can a solution to this problem be found?
Is there something you want to
ask me?

12. Presentations