It’s just an essay of my design subject
Dcx101_Assessment_3_T1_2017 Page 1 of 8 ASSESSMENT BRIEF 3 Subject Code and Title DCX101: Design Context Assessment 3 Essay Individual/Group Individual Length 1500 words (with supporting imagery) Learning Outcomes a) Have applied software skills learnt in this subject to develop and complete assessments. b) Have demonstrated capacity to research and report key socio-political movements and design trends of an historical era through reading, writing and illustration. Submission For face to face classes, this assessment is due in class on Week 12 (Module 6.2). For online classes, this assessment task is due by 11:55 pm Sunday of Week 12 (Module 6.2) Weighting 40% Total Marks 100 marks Context: This assessment task is designed to enhance skills in research and writing. You are required to select a particular essay topic (3 in total), thoroughly conduct suitable research, and apply your knowledge by formulating an academic response. This will include writing to an appropriate academic standard paying particular attention to essay writing format, APA referencing (see APA guide on Blackboard for detailed instructions), and fine details such as grammar, spelling and sentence structure. If at any time you need assistance with this please contact your Learning Facilitator. Conducting research and formulating your findings into a professional document is an essential part of a designer’s professional practice. You need to be able to clearly communicate not only your personal design thinking, but also how it draws on and extends work that has come before. Understanding where your work sits in relation to history and being able to articulate that to a range of key stakeholders is a very valuable skill. As such, it is important to pay attention to details such as spelling and grammar as your work can quickly come across as unprofessional if it is riddled with mistakes. This will rarely instil confidence in a client who is Dcx101_Assessment_3_T1_2017 Page 2 of 8 entrusting you with their livelihood. As such it is a skill that must be practiced in order for it to become a natural part of operating and succeeding within a professional context. Instructions: This assessment task will involve the selection of an essay topic (choose any one from the three outlined below), thorough research around the key components of the subject using a variety of sources, and writing up your 1500-word response in appropriate academic style. A suggested plan for your essay has been included below for you to follow. If you wish to deviate from this guide, please discuss first with your Learning Facilitator. You should begin by researching your chosen historical era to expand your knowledge. In this, you should explore key design examples that are significant to that particular period and discuss their social and cultural context as well as their lasting impact or legacy. From the essay topics listed below select one and reflect on your selection during Weeks 3 to 8 ensuring you are ready to commence Assessment 3 in Module 5 (5.1). • The role of Semiotics within design context: - Emergence of verbal language and iconography as a communication device (broad) and discuss these about the selected period. Or the development of the language and function of clothing and adornment within society in a selected period. Explore the value proposition of design and its ability to galvanise a community – consider things like status, identity, culture and context, ritual within societies, and performance art forms (Image creation, the emergence of type, song and dance). • Same but different: A comparison of design innovation and application in various periods: - Necessity is the mother of invention and innovation. The needs and rhythm of society (regardless of cultural differences) have remained fundamentally the same throughout history. You are to investigate innovative design thinking (focusing on one example of design) in the context of one period and a particular culture and compare a similar innovation (a similar example of design) in another period. For example, the introduction of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg and launch of the Apple Mac computer in 1984 by Steve Jobs (540 years apart). Both designed objects provided access to information to the general populous (information is power). Consider design impact and its perception of value, profile unique design attributes and how they have helped to improve the quality of life. • Own choice: suggest own in consultation with their Learning Facilitator Dcx101_Assessment_3_T1_2017 Page 3 of 8 Your essay will be 1500 words and will include: • An introductory paragraph that outlines your discussion to follow with at least three key points you will address. • The body of your essay will discuss each of these three points, using appropriate paragraphs to separate each idea. You will include discussion of the main historical components as well as any additional theories and design examples that may be relevant. • A concluding paragraph that will succinctly summarise everything you have just discussed and bring it to a concise point. • Include reference list for every document you cite within your essay (do not include material in your reference list that you did not refer to in-text). Reference your list in alphabetical order using the APA style of referencing (see the APA guide for more details). You should include reference material from at least three books and two journal articles and integrate them in a meaningful way into your discussion to demonstrate your understanding and engagement. Note: do not include your reference list as part of your 1500 word count. Your essay should use appropriate academic language and adhere to the referencing conventions of the design discipline (see APA Guide). Please discuss any questions you may have regarding this with your Learning Facilitator as soon as possible. As with the previous assessment task, drawing should be utilised as a way of learning and thinking. Where necessary you may include your sketches (analogue or digital), and any other useful images (make sure they are properly referenced), to help illustrate important points within your essay. Signed objects provided access to information to the general populous (information is power). Dcx101_Assessment_3_T1_2017 Page 4 of 8 Submission Details: For face to face classes, this assessment is due in class on Week 12 (Module 6.2). For online classes, this assessment task is due by 11:55 pm Sunday of Week 12 (Module 6.2). When submitting your written essay is to be uploaded to Blackboard as a PDF document. Please be mindful of your document design as part of the communication of this material. You should also have submitted a plain word document with your essay text to Turnitin and received your Turnitin Originality report before you submit your PDF. For more information on how to do this please refer to this Turnitin QuickStart Guide which includes a video - (https://guides.turnitin.com/01_Manuals_and_Guides/Student_Guides/01_Student_QuickS tart_Guide) Your Learning Facilitator will grade your submission out of 40% and provide you with formative feedback DCX101_Assessment_3_T1_2017 Page 5 of 8 Learning Rubrics Assessment Attributes Fail (Unacceptable) Pass (Functional) Credit (Proficient) Distinction (Advanced) High Distinction (Exceptional) Content and Purpose 10% 10 Does not meet minimum standard Demonstrates no awareness of context and/or purpose of the assignment. 0 – 4.9 Meets minimum standard Demonstrates limited awareness of context and/or purpose of the assignment 5.0 – 6.4 Moves beyond minimum standard Demonstrates consistent awareness of context and/or purpose of the assignment. 6.5 – 7.4 Exceeds minimum standard Demonstrates an advanced and integrated understanding of context and/or purpose of the assignment. 7.5 – 8.4 Exceeds minimum standard and exhibits high levels of independence Consistently demonstrates a systematic and critical understanding of context and purpose of the assignment. 8.5 – 10 Knowledge, understanding, and evaluation of research material used 40% Limited understanding of required concepts and knowledge. Key components of the assignment are not addressed. Little to no research undertaken to support discussion. Viewpoints of experts are taken as fact with little questioning. Knowledge or understanding of chosen historical period and key issues. Resembles a recall or summary of key ideas. Often conflates/confuses assertion of personal opinion with information substantiated by Thorough knowledge or understanding of chosen historical period and key issues. Supports personal opinion and information substantiated by evidence from the research/course materials. Demonstrates a Highly developed understanding of chosen historical period and key issues. Discriminates between assertion of personal opinion and information substantiated by robust evidence from the A sophisticated understanding of chosen historical period and key issues. Systematically and critically discriminates between assertion of personal opinion and information substantiated by robust evidence from the research/course materials and extended DCX101_Assessment_3_T1_2017 Page 6 of 8 40