GD6015 - SUMMATION Final Major Project

This module offers you the opportunity to develop your own final project which can become a significant part of your portfolio and degree show exhibition.

You will learn through a blend of small-group critiques and one-to-one tutorials. You will be responsible for driving this project forward, alongside tutor-led sessions. This structure will allow you to create a unique and substantial project which explores and highlights your particular interests, knowledge and skills.

Technical support staff will be available to provide on-going support throughout the Module, as will departmental and faculty technical resources, needed for your project outcome.

Outside of the scheduled critique sessions running throughout the module, you have access to the Lynda.com training/skills portal and Blackboard and can also contact staff personally or by email for additional support if required.

Support and feedback will be provided throughout the module. The process starts with tutor feedback and support as you develop your own brief and concludes with your final submission as part of your end of year degree show. Support includes;

Staff Contact

• Module tutors who provide academic support.

• Module tutors will discuss your project ideas in the initial stages to develop a brief.

• Informal staff-student seminars to inform design project direction.

• Formal group seminars, which enable staff to interact with students and encourage peer learning and support.

• Project requirements are normally introduced via a briefing session, where the module is fully explained and explored by both staff and students.

• The eLearning Portal will be used to communicate all relevant module information.

Studio Contact Time

Final Major Project is delivered through formal group seminars, informal one to one studio seminars, practical demonstrations, studio teaching and guided and independent learning. The project is driven and devised by you, but must be approved and signed off by the staff team.

• Studio Culture is an important aspect of your development. It also mirrors industry practice. Studio based feedback takes place to facilitate your development, it allows for formative feedback and the identification of examples of good practice and development areas to be considered.
• Independent study hours will be utilised to continue the development and progression of studio based practice.

Peer and Independent Support

• Studio based activity also supports the development of appreciation and evaluation of your peers work.

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)

RESEARCH - Knowledge & Understanding
Demonstrate levels of critical analysis in the evaluation of your advanced research as evidenced through your development work and design solutions. 1.

CONCEPTUAL THINKING - Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities
Show you can effectively present creative and complex design solutions to professional standards as evidenced through your development work and design solutions. 3

TECHNICAL ABILITY - Intellectual/Professional Skills & Abilities
Evidence ability to use advanced technical and craft skills in the creation and production of design solutions to high standards, using appropriate application and attention to detail. 3.

STUDENTSHIP - Personal Value Attributes
Demonstrate you can Independently and critically apply decision-making, evaluate your own progress as evidenced through your development work and design solutions. 3.

Students will be assessed against a staff approved brief of their own creation with consideration to the creative processes deployed and the assigned learning outcomes highlighted in the module descriptor.

The assessment and feedback strategy is;
a. Formative Assessment?You will receive verbal formative feedback both individually and in groups throughout the module. This feedback will facilitate development of your two assignments. This feedback will allow you to reflect upon your own work and act upon feedback prior to final submission.

b. Summative assessment
The project brief/s driving the module will identify the assessment criteria and submission requirements (deliverables) appropriate to the topic of the project. This will enable you to demonstrate the process and technical skills developed throughout the module. A single grade will then be aligned to the submission based upon the deliverables.

c. Feedback strategy?Feedback will be delivered verbally at the point of each seminar, where discussion will clarify future direction.
Final project submission will be as part of the end of year degree show and by student presentation, after which staff will assess the submission, and submit your externally moderated grade to the University.

This module is exempt from the Anonymous Marking Policy. The nature of working closely and directly with the students in workshops makes anonymity unfeasible.

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This module is the culmination of three years of hard work and is designed to allow you to refine your portfolio and further tailor it towards your ultimate goal, whether that be to secure a position with a specific employer in the creative industries, or to continue your Design Education.

Your final project can be completely self-initiated, or you can respond to briefs from a range of sources including staff, industry or national and international competitions. At this point you will be aiming to produce work that combines in-depth research with innovative thinking and is finished and presented to the highest possible standard.