Postgraduate Course: Global Design Culture (DESI11196)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course will investigate the global environment within which Digital Design operates, focusing on the implications this has for art, design, crafts and culture at a global, regional and local level. Topics will be selected and presented by guest lecturers to explore within broad themes such as 'Global vs Local'; 'Cultural Commodification'; and 'Artifice and Artisan'. Topics will be updated in line with current developments in digital design.
Students will gain a foundation in research techniques and academic writing skills for creative practice at postgraduate level. They will also develop video editorial skills in producing a video report. Students will be supported through the course to develop research techniques, critical analysis and evaluation, writing skills, and audiovisual editorial and production skills.
For your assessed work, you will select a topic from a list of options provided, which will be consonant with the topics covered in the lecture and discussion series. |
| Course description |
This course investigates and discusses the relationship between media and culture, particularly with reference to the rapidly changing environment afforded by the global uptake of digital media. The course offers an opportunity for students to develop research techniques, and to explore how the rapidly changing environment of Digital Design has an impact on both global and local cultures. With the development of the World Wide Web and the internationalisation of many markets, digital assets, branding, and communications have become a frontline in the commodification of distinct cultures to ether exploit for commercial gain, or overwhelm with cultural imperialism for commercial or political reasons.
The course will be based around a series of weekly 2-hour lectures, examining the impact of digital technology and design ideals at both a global and local level. As well as introducing students to basic creative practice research techniques, the lectures will examine themes such as cultural commodification, IPR acquisition, issues of copyright, the dominance of global players within local cultures, and the ability of local culture to resist and develop against these pressures to exploit digital opportunities.
A proportion of the lecture will feature guest speakers from across the world, discussing different aspects of digital design and how it affects the global and local. These guests lectures will tie in to the subjects available for the students to explore further for the course assessment tasks. Students will also take part in weekly 1-hour seminar sessions to discuss their own research into the key topics within the course. Two 2-hour workshops will also run during the session, looking at research techniques and academic writing skills. Video guidance will be made available online to support students in creating an audiovisual presentation of their research and findings to accompany the written coursework material required for assessment.
This course is delivered on campus, students will attend lectures, tutorials and workshops in person. Additional resources will be available online.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 40 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 4,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 15,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
143 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
There are 3 assessed submissions, which assist you in developing your research and presentation skills over the duration of the course.
There are 3 components of summative assessment:
(1) 300-500 written component submitted early in the semester for feedback (20%)
Preparation for a research case study and a video presentation, to be submitted for feedback. Submission in week 5.
(2) video recording (40%)
A video recording of 10 minutes duration, communicating the research and findings undertaken by the student. Submission in week 12.
(3) 3000 word research case study (40%)
Submission in week 12.
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| Feedback |
Ongoing formative feedback will be provided through the weekly group tutorials.
The weekly group tutorials on campus will inform the work presented for each summative assessment. These tutorials offer an avenue to guide the students along their learning journey, provide advice on the work that should be submitted for submission 1, and show how this work on submission 1 should feed forward into submissions 2 and 3.
Summative written and oral feedback will be provided on the preparation draft submitted for submission 1 as per University regulations.
The summative feedback from submission 1 will directly inform the work presented for submissions 2 and 3.
Summative written feedback will be provided on the video recording (submission 2) and written research case study (submission 3) as per University regulations. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Research: Show a critical understanding of research methods that are appropriate to the materials, techniques and theories you engage with in your practice.
- Analyse: Demonstrate how you have reviewed, developed and structured your practice in ways that are informed by original, creative and pertinent research.
- Synthesise & Communicate: Display imagination, resourcefulness and initiative in the written, spoken and visual communication of your current research ideas.
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Reading List
Indicative Bibliography
Blaxter, L. et al., 2001. How to Research. Buckingham: OUP.
Bryman, Alan. 2015. Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Lucas, Raymond. 2016. Research Methods for Architecture. London. Laurence King.
Markham, Annette N. 2011. Internet research. (In David Silverman (ed.), Qualitative Research: 111-127. London: Sage.) See earlier version online.
Muratovzki, G. 2016. Research for Designers: A Guide to Methods and Practice. London: SAGE.
Other reading material will be recommended based on the subject matter covered in the lectures and discussions. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Students will develop a set of attributes, personal and professional skills through their engagement with this course.
- Course graduates will be able to draw on the quality, depth and breadth of their research skills to engage with the communities and world around them, particularly with regard to digital media and design.
- Graduates will develop an informed international perspective, allowing them to contribute positively, ethically and respectfully within their discipline.
- Graduates will develop effective skills in research and enquiry to identify and creatively tackle problems and identify suitable design solutions.
- Graduates will develop their personal and intellectual autonomy to critically evaluate ideas, evidence and experiences, working from an open-minded and reasoned perspective.
- Graduates will develop skills in various forms of communication to enhance their understanding of a topic or context and to engage effectively with others.
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| Keywords | Digital Design,Creative Practice Research,Cultural Imperialism,Global Culture,Local Culture |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Andrew Connor
Tel: (0131 6)50 2808
Email: Andrew.Connor@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Barbara Bianchi
Tel: (0131 6)51 5736
Email: barbara.bianchi@ed.ac.uk |
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