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Internal
College Learning and Teaching Strategy
College Academic Plan
College Procedure for Course Development
Approval and Validation
Academic Regulations for the Awards of BA and
BSc
9. Date of Production June 2005
10. Overview
in product design, furniture design, design for batch production, design for
manufacture, brand development and sustainable design. A comprehensive technical
and theoretical understanding of the forces driving the conception, design and
development of products will reinforce these skills.
The first level of the course deals with the design process and the underpinning skills
and theory. Curriculum areas will include: design skills; product origination; human
factors; key material and manufacturing technologies; semantics and semiotics; 2D
and 3D communication and representation; and CAD/software skills.
Level 3 is where students will explore and expand the envelope of their knowledge
through the medium of self-initiated projects that, through the creative process, may
be of an investigative and exploratory nature. The focus is on the student’s own aims
and ambitions, which reflect their knowledge and understanding of their graduate
potential within the area of study. Students will also have the opportunity to take part
in national and international design competitions. This final year leads to the
construction of a professional portfolio in a relevant and appropriate form.
The course aims to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills appropriate to a
range of career outcomes in product design. Students are encouraged to develop
their individual creative ability and support this with the development of a high level of
technical skills. In particular, the programme aims to enable students to develop:
• the ability to make creative use of and experiment with new and existing
technologies;
• a clear vision of where their creative strengths lie and how this can be utilised
in product development and potential career opportunities;
• skills in research, analysis, problem solving and critical reflection and the
visual, written and verbal communication skills required of a graduate entrant
to the product design industry;
1. the design process in general and Learning and teaching in relation to these
specifically in product design learning outcomes tends to be primarily
2. the nature of three dimensional form and project based (see Practical and
the processes that determine and govern Professional Skills below). This is
the development and creation of form supported by varied learning and teaching
3. the nature of space and form and the methods which may include as
representation of these in two and three appropriate: project briefings, studio
dimensions based lectures, (staff and student led)
4. technology, materials and manufacturing group seminars, technical or practical
processes and the relationship of these to workshops, demonstrations, critiques,
the design process and resulting artefacts individual or group tutorials and self
5. the nature of human form, thought directed study by the student.
processes, needs and responses in given
situations relating to the usability of Learning is facilitated by well qualified
designed artefacts permanent teaching staff and by sessional
6. a critical understanding of design practice staff and visiting speakers who are
and theory in a contemporary context practising professionals and bring an
7. the factors that govern product important industry perspective to the
origination and markets course. Traditional modes of delivery may
8. how creative professional practice is be supported where appropriate by e-
located within historical, social and cultural learning and/or resource based learning.
contexts
9. the nature of change in the technological, Contextual and theoretical learning are
business and social realms delivered both as an integral part of the
10. key business processes necessary to practice based units and separately in a
underpin graduate employment in the progressive series of mandatory cross-
creative industries College units. This prevents a
11. the creative potential of digital theory/practice dichotomy while ensuring
technologies that this aspect of learning is sufficiently
weighted in the curriculum.
Assessment Methods
Assessment Methods
Applications are positively welcomed from those who may not possess formal entry
qualifications, mature students, those with work experience or with qualifications
other than those listed above.
Students will be expected to attend for interview and submit a portfolio of examples of
work.
Students will be selected according to the criteria set out in the College Procedure
for the Admission of Students and Guidance Notes for Selecting Candidates for
interview.
When appropriate the College’s Accreditation of Prior Learning Policy and Procedure
will be used to assess applicants at interview. The key criterion for entry is evidence
of commitment and motivation to study in the subject area.
In common with all Ravensbourne honours degree courses, this course is subject to
the Academic Regulations for the Awards of BA and BSc.
In summary, in order to complete a unit, a student must successfully complete all the
assessment specified for that unit. In order to progress from level one of the course
to level two or from level two to level three, a student must successfully complete all
the units in that level of the course. In order to achieve the award, a student (having
completed level one and two of the course) must successfully complete all the units
in level three. In certain circumstances, the Examination Board may at its discretion
choose to permit performance in one area to compensate for underachievement in
another subject to the provisions of the Academic Regulations for the Awards of BA
and BSc. However, there is no automatic right to such compensation.
The final degree is classified on the basis of the level three units only. Classification is
determined by the average of the final results achieved in each of the final year units
weighted by their credit size, according to the banding below:
The course differs from most others courses in that it has a blend of related study
topics that combine creativity with new and emerging technologies and techniques.
Students will be exposed to a wide range of different project environments,
techniques and technologies.
Students on the course will have access to an extensive range of College resources.
These are set out in the current Ravensbourne College Resources statement.
Facilities pertinent to this course currently include:
• Learning Resource Centre (32,000 books, 10,000 hours off-air video recordings,
over 100 separate periodicals, plus an impressive range of electronic resources).
Support for students with learning difficulties and study support needs are in place
through the College Student Support Services.
16. E Learning
In addition to the aspects of the curriculum delivered in the traditional manner through
lectures, workshops and other face to face delivery methods, learning will also be
supported by the developing ‘Moodle’ Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Course
Handbooks, project briefs and other course materials will be stored for retrieval and
access on or off campus. Similarly students are able to apply themselves to on-line
group forums and critiques and tasks at the time and place most suitable to their
personal schedules and commitments.
The course operates within a College quality assurance framework which ensures
that the standards set at validation are maintained and enhanced and the quality of
the student learning experience is good. As part of this framework the course is
subject to the following processes:
• Course Review;
• Mapping against FHEQ and Subject Benchmark Statement during development;
• College Internal Validation;
• External Validation by the University of Sussex;
• External Examiner Reports;
• Annual Course Monitoring;
• Student Feedback;
• Student Representation;
• Peer Observation of Staff;
• Staff Training Programme;
• Industry collaboration (for specific projects);
• An advisory committee which ensures that the programme is up to date and in
line with the thinking and direction of the industry and professional world;
• National and Internal Student Competition/Show Entry.
Like many courses, working on projects with students from other disciplines is central
to the aims of this programme. Many of the projects in the BA (Hons) Product Design
programme offer the opportunity for working in teams with students on other courses
at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication. These would include BA
(Hons) Fashion, BA (Hons) Design for Interaction, BA (Hons) Interior Design
Environment Architectures and BA (Hons) Graphic Design.
In line with the College’s aim of ensuring the continued commercial relevance of our
academic provision, the course actively collaborates with industry:
Placement is not a compulsory part of the course and is not assessed. However,
students are strongly encouraged to undertake placement and are supported in this
by the College Employability Unit. Recent voluntary placements achieved by students
have involved:
• Epson;
• Philips;
• Landor & Associates;
• Mathmos;
• ERA Design Studio.
In roles such as junior designers, visualising, model making, website designers and
product researchers as well as establishing their own studios and offices.
C101/PD103 Design and Communication Media, Theory and Context D101/PD105 The Design Elective
20 Credits 10 Credits
.
Term one Term two Term three
Unit C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8 C9 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7
1. the design process in general and specifically in product design 1. demonstrate an understanding of the skills used by the various branches
2. the nature of three dimensional form and the processes that determine of product design
and govern the development and creation of form 2. identify and research the key opportunities and issues raised by a brief
3. the nature of space and form and the representation of these in two and 3. select, test and make appropriate use of processes and materials in the
three dimensions development of prototypes from design ideas
4. technology, materials and manufacturing processes and the relationship 4. analyse and deconstruct three dimensional form and materials and to
of these to the design process and resulting artefacts simulate and interpret these through the use of two and three dimensional
5. the nature of human form, thought processes, needs and responses in media
given situations relating to the usability of designed artefacts 5. generate design solutions in response to a defined need within a time
6. a critical understanding of design practice and theory in a contemporary framework
context 6. articulate design thoughts and concepts clearly, concisely and with
7. the factors that govern product origination and markets accuracy by a variety of media
8. how creative professional practice is located within historical, social and 7. understand the external constraints acting on the design process and
cultural contexts refine their own process to accommodate these
9. the nature of change in the technological, business and social realms 8. work effectively within and contribute to the design process
10. key business processes necessary to underpin graduate employment in 9. conduct user testing and synthesise the results in a design solution
the creative industries 10. complete a significant design project proposal and carry it through to a
11. the creative potential of digital technologies successful professional conclusion
1. be intellectually curious, analytical and reflective, capable of carrying out 1. work independently, setting own aims, objectives and deadlines to
sustained independent enquiry and developing the skills that underpin manage learning, workload and projects, including time, personnel and
professional development and life-long learning resources
2. analyse, interpret and synthesise the project constraints and present this 2. work effectively and collaboratively with others in a team from a variety of
in a coherent and informative manner backgrounds and disciplines
3. understand that the acquisition of knowledge is continuous and ongoing 3. manage information in a range of media, selecting and using a variety of
professional and personal development is essential sources and technologies to evaluate and record/present information
4. be entrepreneurial, imaginative, have divergent thinking skills and think 4. articulate ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms, and
creatively whilst still satisfying the needs of the project/client communicate ideas and work clearly and appropriately to a variety of
5. delineate the similarities and differences between the interrelated audiences, including technical and non-technical audiences
disciplines of design, and form an understanding of their interaction 5. produce work that is literate, numerate and coherent, deploying
6. creatively solve problems and issues that are revealed during the established techniques of analysis and enquiry
generation of their work 6. identify, define and creatively solve problems, using appropriate
7. place their own work critically in relation to existing and emerging knowledge, tools and methods, often in complex and unpredictable
professional and/or academic debates and form a personal creative situations
critique 7. demonstrate critical awareness and reflection through evaluating own
8. recognise the cultural, conceptual and professional contexts relevant to strengths and weaknesses, and adapting proposals and plans accordingly
the evaluation and understanding of their work
9. analyse and interpret the nature of forms and space and their depiction
and construction in two and three dimensional media and digital form
Please note, this specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and
the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate
if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information
on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each unit can be
found in the Course Handbook, Unit Descriptors and Project Briefs. The accuracy of the information
contained in this document is reviewed by the College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education.