Contemporary Design Issues

Overview

This unit explores key issues in contemporary design and media practice and their relation to social, economic and political contexts. Students will be introduced to appropriate research and writing methodologies and apply these skills to design practice and projects.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Investigate and analyse design and media issues in relation to social, economic and political contexts using primary sources
2. Articulate a range of contemporary issues related to design and media practice
3. Use a body of relevant critical theory in the form of an argument and apply it to design and/or media practice
4. Develop a cohesive argument about a design issue that articulates a point of view, suitable for a published (professional) journal

Teaching methods

All Applicable Locations

Assessment

Content

The unit will explore a wide range of thematic areas that may include discussions on topics such as:

• The role of design, new technologies and new materials in the 21st Century
• Cross/inter-disciplinary practices in design and new media
• Key contemporary practitioners
• Design philosophies
• Aesthetics in the 21st Century
• Design for environmental and social sustainability
• Design for emotion
• Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication