Module Information

Module Identifier
TP11820
Module Title
Design Skills
Academic Year
2023/2024
Co-ordinator
Professor Simon Banham
Semester
Semester 1
Reading List
View on Aspire
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Design Practice Portfolio  A collation of design elements and artefacts supported by research documents built up through the workshop and studio sessions to support the development and completion of a 1:25 scale model of a given place (provided by the module tutor).  50%
Semester Assessment Conceptual Proposal  Working in small groups (2/3), students conceive and present a scenographic proposal composed within parameters determined by the course tutors. Each presentation should be accompanied by 1 x A4 sheet of bullet-points, identifying the aims underpinning the presentation.  50%
Supplementary Assessment Essay with supporting visual material  An essay (equivalent to 2,500 words) with supporting visual material, presenting a hypothetical resolution of the initial group task. The submission should include an element of analysis outlining the aims, strategies and intended outcomes of the proposal. 1500 Words  50%
Supplementary Assessment Research Portfolio  A collation of research documents and artefacts (equivalent to 1,500 words) drawn from and evidencing each of the workshop explorations. To include supporting and annotated visual material. The portfolio is to be submitted within one A4 box file. The box itself should be treated as part of the submission.  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Recognise a range of key scenographic methodologies and approaches.

Demonstrate awareness of these methodologies and approaches within a range of methods and modes of enquiry, including an individual process of research.

Demonstrate skills of personal organisation and management necessary for the effective conduct of individual tasks of enquiry.

Demonstrate a basic ability to present and communicate scenographic ideas.

Brief description

In this module students are invited, through practical explorations and workshops in design skills, to look at how we can communicate ideas through 'sketching in space', specifically through the creation of scale models, the use of the costumed body as a design element, and how light and sound might shape these proposals. Combined with the acquiring of design skills you will undertake research, documentation, analysis and and interpretation of theatre texts or design provocations and we will look afresh at the ways in which space, time, light, sound, object, costume, colour and form may be woven together to impact upon, and communicate with, the spectator. The module aims to open up the possibilities of Scenography (literally, ‘space drawing’) for students interested in ‘design’ as a vital element in the making of theatre, performance, or related artworks.

Aims

  • To introduce key scenographic practices and approaches.
  • To engage students with relevant methods and modes of enquiry, including practical explorations and an individual process of research.
  • To introduce key practical skills employed in the generation and communication of basic scenographic ideas.
  • To introduce notions of critical analysis of practice.

Content

Week 1
Workshop: Introduction. module outline and the model as communicative tool.
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 2
Workshop: Figures and scale.
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 3
Workshop: Costume, as scenic element.
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 4
Workshop: Construction techniques
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 5
Workshop: Furniture
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 6:
Workshop: Textures
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 7
Workshop: Preparation of Proposals for final assessments, first sketches and research
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 8
Workshop: Project development
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 9
Workshop: Project development
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Week 10
Workshop: Project development
Studio practice: independent skills development with tutor support

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Application of number may be necessary for the development of proposed ideas, but this element is not overtly addressed or assessed.
Communication The individual student’s ability to articulate and communicate ideas and opinions is developed across the duration of the module. This area of development is encouraged and assessed within all aspects of the processes and presentations required, and the assessment forms recognise effective communication through written, verbal and visual media.
Improving own Learning and Performance Self-regulation, motivation and time-management are demanded to maintain engagement with the development of the course and the completion of its assignments. Assessment criteria recognise effective personal management and performance.
Information Technology Skills of information handling are not formally assessed, but are exercised through the conduct of research, presentation processes, and the collation of materials within research portfolios.
Personal Development and Career planning The module encourages the initial development of skills directly applicable to careers within cultural (particularly theatre/performance) industries. Further transferable skills (project planning and execution, the development of personal creative initiatives) are also developed through the completion of assessment tasks, though careers need awareness does not of itself constitute an assessed element.
Problem solving Creative problem solving, outcome recognition, and the identification of appropriate strategies and procedures, are encouraged and assessed across the duration of the module.
Research skills Appropriate personal research and information literacy skills, are exercised and assessed through the development and presentation of the research portfolio.
Subject Specific Skills The following subject specific skills are developed and directly or indirectly assessed: • describing, theorising, interpreting and evaluating performance texts and performance events from a range of critical perspectives; • reading the performance possibilities implied by a script, score and other textual or documentary sources; • engaging in performance and production, based on an acquisition and understanding of appropriate performance and production vocabularies, skills, structures and working methods; • developing skills of observation and visual, aural and spatial awareness; • engaging in research, whether independent, group or performance-based.
Team work Group working is addressed and exercised throughout the module. Practical classes demand the application of skills necessary to conduct successful collaborative activity. Assessment criteria relate directly to the development and employment of collaborative skills.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4