Curriculum Information

The final major project is the capstone to your degree and acts both as your summation of your learning, and your ‘calling card’ to employers about the kind of graduate you will be. This module intends to represent a ‘part 2’, continuing from the Final Research Project module and shifting from the approach of Design Investigator to that of a Design Practitioner.

The module initialises with the formation of your own self-directed design brief, summarising key insights and challenges from part 1 to frame an exciting design challenge for part 2. This challenge both considers and aligns with existing objectives detailed within a Professional Development Plan.

You will be expected to explore several approaches to best frame your final design challenge, and work with supervising lecturers before you embark on this independent self-directed module.

The module will draw upon all that you have learned throughout the course curriculum and sets realistic expectations to see evidence of many workflows, methodologies, techniques, and processes put into practice as you explore the territories of your final design challenge.

You are encouraged, as always, to take creative risks and to manage the time available. You must explore many visual research and ideation techniques to propose a wide range of innovative concepts, evidence informed decision making before identifying stronger concepts to be further developed.

This ‘part 2’ will result in a public exhibition of your work, be that a physical exhibition or digital graduate showcase. It is expected that all outcomes are refined for professional presentation with the highest attention to detail in production value.

A final recommendation is that you consider the University campus, services and wider commercial community that may impact upon your progress, as you are encouraged to demonstrate your capacity as a leader of your craft or specialism. Example: Collaboration with other students, learning a specialist skill or piece of equipment, liaison with campus technicians, peer-focus groups, industry mentors, connection with relevant stakeholders and live briefs are all considerations that should be made during the initial planning stages of this module.

Whichever approach you decide to take you will be expected to work with a supervisor, and to attend regular design discussion groups during this final major project, enabling continuous critical feedback and support through project consultation.

Outcomes of this module are to be recognised and emphasised as material for professional graduate showcasing opportunities.