AH4007 - Historical and Contemporary Influences on Interior Design

‘Historical and Contemporary Influences on Interior Design’ is taught through illustrated weekly lectures supported by seminars. Your participation in seminars will help you to develop and communicate your ideas. Each session will involve presentations by the tutor to establish key terms of reference, followed by group discussion of the issues raised. Hands-on or online workshops will help you to develop study skills relevant to interior design practice, including archival research, fieldwork, visual analysis and presentation skills. Off-campus learning will be delivered through field trips to historic buildings and townscapes. Directed learning and reading will encourage independent research, visual analysis of designed interiors and critical reflection on design theory and practice. You will be supported in the skills of academic essay writing though the use of formative and summative learning and through the use of Turnitin.

Academic support will be provided through seminars, individual tutorials and use of the eLearning Portal;
• Lectures
• Seminars and tutorials will give you the opportunity to identify and discuss assessment criteria, both at the planning stage and as you engage with tasks. Tutorials will offer you support with any specific issues or concerns.
• Sample student work will be provided via the eLearning Portal to guide you in your preparation.
• Study skills sessions will ensure good practice for everyone following the module.
• Formative feedback will be ongoing in group learning sessions.
• Written feedback will be provided upon assignment submission.

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)

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:
Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:

• 1 - Demonstrate your awareness of historical, cultural and contemporary issues in interior design through seminar discussion, group presentation and essay writing.
• 2 - Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of interior design research methodologies through fieldwork, archival research and a formal group presentation.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:
• 1 - Select appropriate methods of research to enable you to produce a critical analysis of designed interiors through group presentation and written work.
• 1 - Identify, review and discuss design related issues or topics in a scholarly manner as evidenced through seminar participation, group work and independent research.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
Upon successful completion of the module you will be able to:
• 1 - Demonstrate engagement and commitment for your studies as evidenced through seminar participation, self-directed learning and engagement with assessment activities.

Semester one
Group Presentation (30%)
Group Presentation Report (20%)
The first assignment is a tool to prompt you to think critically about the designed environment around you either in Newcastle or the wider world, and to demonstrate the inspiration historic buildings and interiors offer to you as a designer.
Each group will select one building from the designated list and will develop a presentation providing a critical analysis of the building and its interior. Each group member will complete an individual report form assessing and evidencing her or his contribution, as well as that of the other members of the group, to the presentation.
The group presentation will assist you in developing your research and writing skills. It also gives you the opportunity to work effectively in a group.
Semester Two
Essay (1500 words) 50%

You will develop an individual 1500-word essay that answers one of the designated questions relating to the main themes of the module.
The essay requires you to communicate your investigations into an aspect of interior design history. Before submitting the essay for summative assessment, you have the opportunity to submit it to Turnitin and make any revisions necessary to ensure that all source material has been referenced correctly.

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‘Historical and Contemporary Influences on Interior Design’ examines historical influences on interior design within a global context. You will explore the history of interior design through a chronological survey of key styles and movements from c.1800 to the present. You will also consider the underlying historical and cultural factors that shape the history of design. The module will develop your knowledge of interior design history, expanding your visual vocabulary as a designer and enabling you to take inspiration from the design of the past alongside the wider social and cultural significance of design practice. You will learn how to research specific buildings and sites in order to understand the context and setting of your own work and through seminars, workshops and off-campus field trips, you will develop study skills vital for academic success and for your future career as interior design professionals.