Professional Design Practice 4  (SP 3109) - (Visual Communication Design).

This module explores procedures utilised in design studios, design development and best practices in communication design.



Module Delivery
This module is delivered in Semester 2, Year 3 of TU973, the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Design—Visual Communication, at the TU Dublin School of Art and Design (Option).

Learning and Teaching Methods
Learning modes include weekly lectures, presentations, and hands-on demonstrations of the various topics covered in the course. This module predominantly uses project-based learning to ensure active participation and encourage students to learn by doing and reflect on their learning. Group discussions are facilitated with practical laboratory practice.

This module is delivered through lectures, workshops, class discussions, Studio projects, team-based learning, guest lecturers, group discussions, peer-based critiques, and studio visits.

Delivery will align with best practices and use student-centred, active, communicative, and problem-based methodologies. The lecturer will act as a facilitator in the classroom, ensuring students actively contribute through pair work, group work and peer learning activities. Students will receive regular feedback on their progress per the concept of ‘feedback to feedforward’. More specifically, the feedback will inform students what they need to do to improve their professional design knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The lecturer will advise them on how to amend their class materials to meet students’ needs.

Assessment
This module is assessed through the delivery of a written academic paper in which students will discuss key literature on the topic and derive conclusions and arguments based on specific questions or themes.

Upon successful completion of this module, the learner will be able to:

  1. Understand the importance of Best Practices in Design Practice

  2. Understand the various approaches to design process and problem-solving

  3. Understand the importance of data archiving and backup

  4. Awareness of ethical behaviour is required of a professional communications designer in the industry

  5. Define the role and skills required of a professional communications designer

Learning Hours: Lecture 24 / Self-Directed 76

ECTS Credits:  5.

Reading List
Best, K. (2015) Design Management Pub. Bloomsbury Publishing [ISBN: 9781472573674].

Shaughnessy, S. (2010) How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul Pub. Laurence King Publishing[ISBN: 9781856697095].
Shaughnessy, A. and Brook, T. (2009) Studio Culture Pub. Laurence King Publishing [ISBN: 0956207103].

Foote, C.S. (2009) The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business (Updated Edition) Pub. W. W. Norton & Company [ISBN: 9780393732993].