THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Edinburgh College of Art : Design

Undergraduate Course: Graphic Design Agency Junior (DESI08099)

Course Outline
SchoolEdinburgh College of Art CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryActing as junior designers, students undertaking this course will work with peers across different year groups in Graphic Design, working collectively towards a common objective regardless of experience. They will have the ability to apply to an established in-house student design agency within the Graphics Programme. These agencies, mentored by industry professionals will respond to briefs and self-initiated commercial projects. Students will also be guided through the principles, practice and strategies behind the world of design agency structures. The student agencies experience work-like scenarios within the safety of the academic environment, developing rounded, real world skill sets, such as design thinking, risk-taking, selling, presenting, delegating and networking.
Course description This course guides students through the principles, practice and business strategies behind the world of graphic design agencies and their structures. Through practical projects and collaboration with peers in both junior and senior years, students will form a personal vision for their place within the creative sector. Students will learn to articulate their ideas and make clear intentions and persuasive arguments about their practice, context and career path.

Students will gain an essential understanding of the value of observing, analysing and documenting information, discovering that innovation can occur through collaborations, connections and relationships with others. There will be opportunities to explore the myriad of working practices of the professional world of this discipline and therefore will learn new methods of working - relevant to whatever field they subsequently choose. There is obviously an element of employability and an understanding of personal, professional and transferable skills.

Throughout the course there will be weekly analysis of key events and discoveries recorded through a visual journal and an opportunity to present these findings at formative and summative review. Peer group reviews take place throughout the duration of the course.

The indicative structure of the course is outlined on Learn.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Graphic Design Agency Intern (DESI08100)
Other requirements It is recommended students undertaking DESI08099 do not subsequently take DESI08100 as the courses happen in a recommended sequence. A student taking DESI08099 Design Agency Junior (SCQF Level 8) would be advised not to take DESI08100 Design Agency Intern as this is a SCQF Level 7 course.
Additional Costs Approx £30. Minimal costs related to visits plus materials students may wish to purchase to facilitate their practice such as printing, paper, props etc.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesThis Course is only available to students with an Art/Design background.
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  35
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 1, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 6, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 25, External Visit Hours 1, Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2, Other Study Hours 1, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 160 )
Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) Other study hours: Graphics
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Summative Assessment:
A body of work comprising of:
Film
Upload a 1 minute (maximum) film to LEARN. It's expected the content will be gleaned, in part, from the reflective journal.

Reflective Journal
Submit a completed journal which records your day to day experience, contribution and understanding of design agency.

The Learning Outcomes are equally weighted at 33.3% each.
LO 1 and 2 for the Journal and LO 3 for the Film.

Formative Assessment:
Reflective Journal¿
Submit work in progress through the reflective journal which records your day to day experience and understanding of design agency.
Storyboard¿
A storyboard using image and speech bubbles, of your experience so far, should be prepared.
Feedback Formative Feedback
Mid-way through the Course students will be given verbal feedback.

Summative Feedback
At the end of the Course students will be given written feedback plus summative grades within 15 days.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explore multiple design agency structures and various methods of working.
  2. Reflect upon their role and contribution as a junior designer within a group context.
  3. Employ appropriate methods for communicating a personal direction and career plan to an audience.
Reading List
Millman, D. How to Think Like a Great Graphic Designer
Purkiss, J. and Royston-Lee, D. Brand You: Turn Your Unique Talents into a Winning Formula
Gladwell, M. The Tipping Point
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Enquiry Gain new knowledge and opportunities for learning.
Personal Effectiveness be responsive to the varying situations and environments in which you will operate.
Communication negotiating and creating new understanding, collaborating with others and furthering your own learning.
KeywordsGraphic Design,Teamwork,Agency,Commercial,Projects,Peer Learning,Professional Skills,Junior
Contacts
Course organiserMs Zoe Patterson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5720
Email: z.patterson@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Ruth Lee
Tel:
Email: clee5@ed.ac.uk
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