Module Handbook:
DESI1221 Professional Practice and Portfolio
(Level 6)
2019–2020
Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences
School of Design
https://moodlecurrent.gre.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=49002#section-0
Contents
1. Welcome to the Module ......................................................................................................... 2
2. Key Contacts .......................................................................................................................... 4
3. Key Module Specification Details ........................................................................................... 4
4. Employability Skills Gained .................................................................................................... 4
5. Schedule of Teaching and Learning Activities ........................................................................ 5
6. Assessment Tasks.................................................................................................................. 5
7. Reading Lists.......................................................................................................................... 7
8. Additional Module Specific Information and Costs................................................................. 8
9. Glossary of Terms .................................................................................................................. 8
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1. Welcome to the Module
The aim of this module is to provide students with the necessary expertise and
understandings to position themselves toward a successful future within design and to
develop the holistic practices that will enhance employability, encourage
entrepreneurship and develop professional adaptability. Developing a students
understanding of design practice and the professional realities of the contemporary
design industries will allow them to respond imaginatively to a wider range of
professional opportunities, which will become available to them on the completion of
their degree. The PPP module builds a deeper understanding of the design industries /
future careers, and encourages students to better articulate themselves and their working
through presentation, profile and design. The sessions, discussions and workshops
selected for this module will be developed through direct dialogue with industry
practitioners and organisations to ensure suitability and relevance to professional
disciplines. A key aspect of this module is to develop the student confidence in the
presentation of work and approaches to potential employers / collaborators, through a
design portfolio / show reel and appropriate communication channels.
This handbook provides essential information that you will need during your undertaking of this
module. It is not intended to be exhaustive, but should help you to see at a glance key
information about the module such as the aims and learning outcomes, the proposed schedule
of delivery, assessment details, reading list and any additional resources that will be needed by
you. Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with its contents.
The university will do all that it reasonably can do to provide educational services to support your
learning. Sometimes circumstances may mean that we cannot provide such educational
services or that the university has to withdraw or change aspects of this module and/or student
services detailed in the information you have been provided with by the university. This might be
because of, for example:
• industrial action by university staff or third parties;
• the unanticipated departure or absence of key members of university staff;
• acts of terrorism;
• the acts of any government or local authority;
• academic changes within subject areas; or
• where the numbers expected on a module are so low that it is not possible to deliver an
appropriate quality of education for students enrolled on it.
In these circumstances, the university will take all reasonable steps to minimise the resultant
disruption to those services and to affected students, for example by making reasonable
modifications, but to the full extent that it is possible under the general law, the university
excludes liability for any loss and/or damage suffered by any applicant or student as a result of
these circumstances.
The modifications we make may be to:
• the content and syllabus of modules, including in relation to placements;
• the timetable, location and number of classes;
• the content or method of delivery of your module;
• the examination process; and
• the timing and method of assessment
Many of the changes that we make are in response to feedback from students and are intended
to improve the experience of students and student outcomes.
In making any changes, the university will aim to keep significant changes to the minimum
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necessary and will notify and where reasonably possible also consult with you in advance about
any significant changes that are required.
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2. Key Contacts
The list below summarises the contact details of key individuals relevant to this module.
Module Leader: Kam Rehal Location: School of Design
Offices, Floor 3, Stockwell Street,
Greenwich
Email:
[email protected] Office hours: 10am-5pm Mon-Fri
(excluding Thursdays)
Module Instructor: Matt Denney Location: School of Design
Offices, Floor 3, Stockwell Street,
Greenwich
Email:
[email protected] Office hours: 10am-1pm Wed
External Examiner: Will Hill
3. Key Module Specification Details
School/Department: School of Design
Number of Credits: 15
Term of delivery: Terms 2
Site of delivery: Greenwich Maritime site
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites:
Successful completion of Level 5
Aims:
1 Develop a deeper understanding of the Creative industry and the role of the designer
2 Explore and engage in the creation of a professional and thoughtful Design Portfolio
3 Pursue links with potential design employers with whom you would like to work
4 Develop a creative Design Portfolio to support your applications to acquire a internships / work within a
professional design context
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this assignment you will be able to:
1. Identify and understand your position as a designer within a professional context.
2. Develop an holistic approach to design practice, developing criticality, exploring issues that are
important to you via professional enquiry and design.
3. Consolidate and expand professional networks and social media presence in preparation for
employment or further study.
4. Develop a portfolio / show reel of creative work that is confident in both design and positioning to enable
employability.
4. Employability Skills Gained
This module is designed to provide essential skills, knowledge and access in the context of
future employment within the creative design profession.
You can find out more about the Greenwich Employability Passport online
https://www.gre.ac.uk/articles/ils/greenwich-employability-passport-for-students
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Information about the Career Centre is also available online
https://www.abintegro.com/public/career-transition-and-job-search
You can log on to the Career Centre with your Portal ID and Password
https://orca.gre.ac.uk/cas/login?service=https://idp.gre.ac.uk/oala/auth.php
5. Schedule of Teaching and Learning Activities
Week beginning Activity
Week 1 | 15/1/20: Introduction to course – Where do you want to go?
Week 2 | 22/1/20: Portfolios – Who do you like? How are these put together?
Week 3 | 29/1/20: Reflection / Analysis: what’s right for you?
Week 4 | 5/2/20: Portfolio development / visit / 1-2-1
Week 5 | 12/2/20: Formative Assessment: presentations [walk through of Portfolio]
Week 6 | 19/2/20: Portfolio development / visit / 1-2-1
Week 7 | 26/2/20: Portfolio development / visit / 1-2-1
Week 8 | 4/3/20: Portfolio development / visit / 1-2-1
Week 9 | 11/3/20: Portfolio development / visit / 1-2-1
Week 10 | 18/3/20: Portfolio development / visit / 1-2-1
Week 11 | 25/3/20: Portfolio surgery with industry specialists
Week 12 | 1/4/20: Portfolio development / visit / 1-2-1
Easter Break – Term 3
Week 2 | 13/5/20: SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT Hand-in: Design Portfolio, research + supporting
materials
6. Assessment Tasks
The overall pass mark for this module is 40%.
Assessment Schedule
Assessment (including resits) Due date1 Weight Learning Outcomes
Design Portfolio 13/05/20 100 1-4
Summer Resit: Design Portfolio 31/07/20 100 1-4
1. Return of marked work with feedback will normally be given up to 15 working days after the
due date indicated. In exceptional circumstances where you experience a delay in receiving
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this then you will be informed by the tutor.
2. The timetable for examinations will be available closer to the examination period.
Assessment Details
Sketchbook (physical / digital) documentation of portfolio design and efforts to secure links and work within
design context. Key items to be included: cover letter / statement, cv, correspondence with potential
employers.
A complete Design Portfolio [print / screen / online] which positions you as a Graphic and Digital Designer
ready to engage in professional working. Give careful consideration to selection of work, media, format,
tone and method of delivery.
For further information around assessments, please refer to the Student Handbook.
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7. Reading Lists
ESSENTIAL
Miriam Sorrentino Creative Advertising: An Introduction Laurence King 2014 978-1780671192
Publishing
Cameron Foote The Creative Business Guide to Running a W. W. Norton 2009 978-0393732993
Graphic Design Business & Company
Philip Hughes Exhibition Design Laurence King 2015 978-1856696401
Adrian Shaughnessy How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Laurence King 2010 978-1856697095
Losing Your Soul Publishing
Darrel Rees and How to be an Illustrator Laurence King 2014 978-1780673288
Nicholas Blechman Publishing
Michael Johnson Problem Solved Phaidon Press 2012 978-0714864730
Chris Calori and Signage and Wayfinding Design: A John Wiley & 2015 978-0471748915
David Vanden- Complete Guide to Creating Sons
Eynden Environmental Graphic Design Systems
Tony Brook and Supergraphics – Transforming Space: BNN Inc. 2013 978-4861007088
Adrian Shaughnessy Graphic Design For Walls, Buildings &
Spaces
David Airey Work for Money, Design for Love: New Riders 2012 978-0321844279
Answers to the Most Frequently Asked
Questions About Starting and Running a
Successful Design Business
RECOMMENDED
Wang Shaoqiang Exhibition Art – Graphics and Space Promopress 2016 978-8416504497
Design
Drew de Soto Know Your Onions: Graphic Design: How BIS 2014 978-9063692582
to Think Like a Creative, Act Like a
Businessman and Design Like a God
Austin Kleon Show Your Work!: 10 Things Nobody Told Algonquin 2014 978-0761178972
Books
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You About Getting Discovered
Victionary You are Here A New Approach to Signage Victionary 2013 978-9881222824
and Wayfinding
Wyatt, P Digital Creatives' Survival Guide: How Design 2013 978-1440318481
Everything You Need for a Successful Books
Career in Web, App, Multimedia and
Broadcast Design
Fig Taylor How to Create a Portfolio & Get Laurence King 2013 9781856696722
Hired: A Guide for Graphic Designers
& Illustrators
8. Additional Module Specific Information and Costs
See moodle page
9. Glossary of Terms
Pre-requisites/Co-requisites This describes the learning you are expected to have
completed before starting the module or the learning (or
other modules) that you should be undertaking alongside it.
AIms These define the overall educational purpose of the module
Learning Outcomes These are subject specific statements that define the
learning that will be assessed during this module
Assessment Weight This refers to the proportion of the overall result for the
module that is based on your performance in each of the
assessment tasks
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