Course Title: Communication Design Major Project (Honours)

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Communication Design Major Project (Honours)

Credit Points: 36

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
GRAP2255	City Campus	Undergraduate	335H Applied Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006

Course Coordinator: Peter West

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9557

Course Coordinator Email:peter.west@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 4.05.006

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

GRAP2253
GRAP2254

Course Description

The second semester is the culmination of the previous semsters two courses. The business structure and ethos developed and documented in GRAP 2254 will be put into practice in this course along with the creative problem solving and knowledge of communication industries developed in GRAP 2253.

This semester will see the actualisation of the company philosophy as the group operates within the practices described and achieves specified goals and outcomes. You will be expected to initiate your own projects and work on university initiated tasks. The combination and emphasis of which will be a group decision.

This course will develop creative agility, experimentation, exploration, critical evaluation and production. This course will develop a critical awareness of each stage in this process and allow students to develop skills to gain the utmost from each mind set.

This course is designed to provide a basic working knowledge of a variety of communications industries so as to provide students with a range of possibilities when solving communication problems. To achieve this we will explore in theoretical and practical terms a variety of communications fields within a studio environment.     

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Foremost the students ability to meet communication objectives with creative solutions will be developed. This will be achived by fostering an environment where ideas are shared readily and developed collectively. As the course progresses students will learn how to allocate roles and opperate accordingly. Students will learn to investigate the environment with an eye for design and communication projects. Students will learn how to identify their particular strengths within the creative problem solving process. As a schedule of learning activities -   

- Analyisis of assigned or student initiated projects.
- Exploration of possible solutions to communication objectives.
- Students will be encouraged to recognise and act on opportunities.
- Presentation and curation of conceptual draughts.
- Presentation of research.
- Discussion/negotiation of roles within teams.
- Analysis and evaluation criteria .
- Utilisation of support systems when necessary.
- Group Critique
- Participation in production process.

Students will be expected to participate in group critiques, to show advancement on a weekly basis in accordance with allocated group roles.  

The course aims to give you the ability to establish your own practical business strategy which achieves your creative communication goals. You will learn how to negotiate to achieve your goals and how to utilise your collegues particular strengths.

You will learn about and apply management structures and techniques, methods of collaboration, branding and communication strategy, and basic business administration.

Overview of Learning Activities

You will learn how to set guidelines for ther operation of a communication design studio. You will learn by research and practical example -

- brief writing/templates
- self promotion
- meeting conduct
- client liason/presentation techniques

The operation of the studio will allow industry based and student initiated projects.

Overview of Learning Resources

You will learn by research and practical example. Notes and practical exercise templates will be provided. Guest tutors, practioners and clients will also provide assistance.

Overview of Assessment

Students will be assessed on their ability to apply various lateral thinking problem solving techniques, their ability to explore numerous creative possibilities. Students will be given communication objectives and will be expected to initiate their own.
Students will be required to submit completed tasks throughout the semester. The students creative process and end out come (delivery) will be the focus of the assessment. Students will be assessed on their ability to generate numerous creative solutions, critique as a group, select and manage the best possible solution through to a effective design outcome.