222.

453 VCD Research & Development

Assignment Title: VCD Research & Development
Assignment No: One assessment comprising two stages; 1st stage formative, final stage summative
Assessors: Gray Hodgkinson, (Coordinator) Mark Bradford, Caroline Campbell, Karen Curley,
Tanya Marriot, Mike McAuley, Annette O’Sullivan, Roy Parkhurst, Donald Preston,
Euan Robertson, Patricia Thomas (Theory coordinator), Gerbrand Van Melle
Due Dates: Formative assessment: week 6, 29–31 March.
Summative (final) assessment week 10–13 May (100% weighting)

Introduction
VCD Research and Development is a pivotal paper in your Bachelor of Design with Honours (BDes Hons)
VCD Research & Development

study. This paper focuses on establishing the skills and processes to carry you forward to a design
222.453

completion in the paper 222.454 VCD Research Project in semester 2. Completion of this paper will position
you to produce your final and probably most significant work of your degree.
Design practice is always underpinned by research. This paper requires you to develop a topic which can be
addressed through design activity. The written components in this paper guide you to use appropriate
methods to investigate a topic through analysis, synthesis and reflection resulting in a design direction or
response. The written components and creative work are conducted at the same time as each informs the
other.
Aim
The aim of this paper is to equip you with the necessary skills to conduct research and to present this study
in a scholarly format. Individual aims include:
‣ To develop ability to investigate a topic in both written and visual form
‣ To develop ability to collate, analyse, and evaluate material associated with a topic
‣ To present research in a coherent and concise manner
‣ To form a design proposal or brief that will enable further execution as a design production project.

The paper also aims to encourage you to develop teamwork skills and to experience the benefits of working
collaboratively. These teams are able to be carried through to semester 2 research project if you so wish.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this paper the student should be able to:
1. Identify and critique contemporary visual communication design issues as a collaborative activity.
2. Articulate strategies through which contemporary visual communication design issues are addressed
and resolved with use of design research methods.
3. Consolidate understanding of contemporary visual communication design issues by focusing on a
specific area of interest and by the development of a critical perspective towards that interest.
4. Apply understanding of a critical perspective through generation and development of design concepts.
5. Develop a research proposal which articulates an identified visual communication design issue and
strategy, and methods for its resolution.

Assessment Criteria
Workbook, Research Summary and Abstract
1. Evidence that shows identification and critique of contemporary visual communication design issues as
a collaborative activity.
2. Articulation of strategies that describe how contemporary visual communication design issues are
addressed and resolved with use of design research methods.
3. Demonstration of an understanding of contemporary visual communication design issues, focusing on
a specific area of interest and by the development of a critical perspective towards that interest.
Working Paper and Poster
4. Evidence of understanding of a critical perspective through generation and development of design
concepts.
5. Articulation of an identified visual communication design issue and strategy, and methods for its
resolution.