CoP3 BRIEFING

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This is a 40 credit module  so it's a lot more writing involved and critical engagement. The focus at the start of level six will mainly be on this module. Will be assigned a supervisor that will have regular meetings with. A lot less support than the past two years. Come to tutorials asking the questions you need answering. 


PRODUCE A CoP3 RESEARCH PROPOSAL USING THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:

  • RESEARCH QUESTION- Essential!! Best way to ensure an aiming point for the project. 

  • RATIONALE (WHY DO YOU WANT TO RESEARCH THIS TOPIC? WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE ON YOUR PRACTICE?)- Very important to be interested in, so that what we are doing within Cop3 feeds into the rest of the modules.

  • CONTEXTS (WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXTS IN WHICH YOUR THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL RESEARCH WILL BE SITUATED? POLITICAL? SOCIAL? TECHNOLOGICAL? AESTHETIC? CULTURAL?)- And why is it one of these, do not just say “its cultural”, explain why, what makes it that sort of project?

  • THEORETICAL APPROACH (IDENTIFY NO MORE THAN TWO POTENTIAL THEORIES THAT WILL HELP STRUCTURE YOUR RESEARCH - MUST BE APPROPRIATE TO THE THEME/QUESTION)- Important to approach the question theoretically, use other theories to frame your work not a regurgitation.

  • METHODS (SECONDARY: THEORISATION, SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS, TEXTUAL ANALYSIS, CONTENT ANALYSIS, DISCOURSE ANALYSIS/ Primary: surveys, interviews, focus groups, creative method, observations)- Why are these research methods appropriate for your project. How will it inform the whole project. 

  • PRACTICAL OUTCOME (WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO PRODUCE/ DEVELOP?)- What it is that I want to produce, what is it focusing on? Publishing, branding, typography etc. be as clear as possible but no exact idea is expected now. What do you want to get out of this project practically?

  • RESOURCES (WHAT RESOURCES WILL YOU TO ACCESS?)- Plan and make sure all of these are accessible. 

  • SUMMER READING LIST (FIND 5 BOOKS THAT YOU WILL ENDEAVOUR TO READ IN PREPARATION TO CoP3- RELATED TO EITHER 3 OR 4 ABOVE- Read as much as you can in prep for year six as it is a very small time once we start to complete such a big module. Research your audience!!! No regurgitation of graphic design theory textbooks. It is not just design! We need to think about graphic design in the real world for real people. Need to grasp an understanding of the people the design is being made for. Focus on theoretical texts.

  • TIME MANAGEMENT (PLAN OF ACTIONS FROM NOW)- How are we going to get from the beginning of summer to the hand in just before xmas. 


Compile your proposal into a (minimum) 10 slide presentation. Explain as much as possible, you need to know exactly what your aim to do with this project. Not wordy, just to the point. 


WRITE A PROJECT BRIEF TO ACCOMPANY YOUR CoP3 PROPOSAL

  • Your practical brief must be clear and specific.

  • you will be expected to be working through the practical element of the module at the same time as your essay. Do not treat either element with priority over the other- Something I have done in both previous years so, definitely something to remember!

  • Having a clear and specific brief to work on from the beginning will avoid many issues later in the module. 

  • In the run up to September, prepare a project brief that you are going to explore. This is the subject to change however, it will be helpful to see a connection between the practical project and essay to see how it will develop together as they both go hand-in-hand.


WHAT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE PROJECT BRIEF

  • Title

  • Background/ Contexts- What circumstances has led to the brief?

  • Outline of the brief- What exactly are you being asked to do and why?

  • Deliverables- What will you actually produce to fulfil the brief? Be specific.

  • Mandatory requirements- Specific requirements related to the brief that must be adhered to.

  • Research aim- What do you expect to gain from doing this brief in relation to your original research question? (E.g to explore ways of utilising both modernist and postmodernist design principles in the context of a single design outcome).


TIPS AND ADVICE

  • Choose your research topic very carefully. Don't attempt to tackle something that you have no experience or knowledge about already as this will give you much more groundwork to cover even before you start- Building on stuff you know already, gaining on the experience you already have.

  • Choose a topic that will help you and your practice. Make the module meaningful in relation to your overall development. No point doing this project if it does not benefit your design practice.

  • Don't leave your practical work til last minute! It is sometimes a good idea to commit to some reading and contextual or primary research before starting the bulk of your practical work however, do not aim to finish your essay before you start your practical. IT WILL NOT WORK!!! This is where time management is key.

  • Use theory meaningfully- If you have found that exploring theoretical models is not helpful in gaining better understanding of the subject matter then focus on reading, triangulation and primary research methods.

  • Don't over theorise- Try to use one or at the most two related theoretical models that address your subject matter. This will make your outcomes much clearer and more meaningful- A more refined approach.

  • There are no "off the shelf" methods of structuring an essay!! See what works for your essay.

  • Don't listen to students on other courses! It is not the same.

  • 5000 words is not a dissertation! Don't think of his essay as a dissertation as this will cause uneccessary stress.

  • Always attend supervisor meetings and any arranged meetings for that matter as they are imperative to the project and you will not have a chance to schedule another.

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