XD5010 - Emerging Technologies

The module is structured to foster critical and ethical view as students engage with these new and emerging technologies through a design lens. You will learn in a studio environment that includes lectures, seminars (also with external experts), and self-study activities that introduce you to one or a number of currents or future technological trends. You will look at them by applying the lens of various research methods and methodologies you will acquire in the module (through lectures). You will be asked to investigate different digital technologies (perhaps linked by a common real-world context) using a variety of methods before writing and visualising their results and predictions through the creation of a design report and speculative design artefact. These writing and design artefacts tasks will be supported by workshops.

Your tutor/s will provide in-person lectures, run seminar sessions (also with external experts) and workshops to support your learning. Initially, you will be introduced to one or a number of current or emerging technology as well as ethical framework (e.g. the “Algorithmic Justice League - Unmasking AI harms and biases”). In parallel, you will be introduced to investigation methods as both epistemological tools to conduct your research and lens to generate insights. You will then be asked to investigate a number of new and emerging technologies with the final aim of writing and visualising their results through the creation of a design report and design artefact (e.g. that visualises predictions – for example, in form of design scenarios – of how the technologies investigated could affect or be applied in real-world context)

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• LO1 Demonstrate knowledge and analysis of issues for designing for new and emerging technologies (KU1)
• LO 2 Demonstrate understanding and integration use new and emerging technologies in the context of digital design practice. (KU3)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• LO3 Demonstrate knowledge and use appropriate of research methods to plan and investigate a given or chosen research topic. (IPSA1)
• LO4 Demonstrate creative thinking to visualise and present design concepts in response to a design challenge. (IPSA02)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Exercise appropriate professional and ethical approach in the collection and analysis and presentation of research and outcomes. (PVA4)

You will be assessed formatively, using verbal feedback during timetabled sessions at key stages of the design development process.

You will be summatively assessed at the end of the module through the submission of a:

• Component 1: 50%
Design Report: An illustrated Design Report (1500 words)
MLOs 1, 2, 3

• Component 2: 50%
Design Artefact: A speculative design artefact, prototype or design fiction narrative
MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4



At this summative stage you will receive initial verbal feedback during your presentation, followed up with additional written feedback on your design process book and final submission.


Note, if the module tutors decide to run aspects of this module as a team-based activity, the length of the design report and ambition of the design artefact should be commensurate with the number of team members involved e.g. 3,000 words for two members or 4,500 for three.

It should also be noted that the two deliverables might have two separate submission dates and summative assessments to help you manage your deadlines effectively.

N/A

In this module, you will explore the impact of new and emerging digital technology on society, delving into how it shapes and forecasts the evolution of design. The course will a range of topics which may include: virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI) in design, blockchain, internet of things (IoT), Tangible Technologies, and 3D printing technologies.

Students will investigate on the intersection between digital technologies and get an understanding of the surrounding ethical considerations in the field of emerging design practice.
You will be introduced to ethical and theoretical frameworks and research methodologies to help you to investigate and design for new and current trends of technology use and also forecasting technological usage.
You will learn and apply speculative design methods and build design fictions and scenarios which explore the role of design within new and emerging environments and technologies and offer speculation(s) on future trajectories.