The Look of the Future module (DJ31047)

Experience Designers have a role in helping to shape future technologies and will meet new technologies throughout their career.

This module will support you to apply a speculative design method to imagine and visualise different kinds of possible, plausible, probable and preferred technology futures.

They will generate written and visual documentation showing their design vision and situate this within an imagined future context.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• research contemporary and historical future aesthetics, reflecting on trends in digital technology (short term futures).
• use futures thinking to speculate on what will happen in the near future
• generate and select Speculative Design concepts
• make 'Wizard of Oz' prototypes and explore an experience enabled by technology
• design information, visual instructions and use photography to communicate the experience with technology
• produce a demonstrator and/or concept video

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• use visual design skills to create forward looking aesthetics
• understand and apply futures thinking and speculative design methods
• develop a written critical perspective
• consider and seek out placements at the end of the third year

Assignments / assessment

Assessment will be conducted through series of project briefs with deadlines timetabled across the semester.

Learning outcomes will be assessed through 100% coursework and will typically include:

• individual & group presentations
• a series of deliverables relating to specific learning outcomes
• portfolio submission on completion of module
• written critical reflection

Formative assessment throughout the module will be supported by group crits.

Summative written feedback and feedforward will be provided at the end of the module and grades will be issued at the end of the Semester.

All components must be passed in order to successfully complete the module.

Teaching methods / timetable

• lectures with demonstrations of design practice and prototyping techniques
• workshops providing students with practical hands-on experience of thinking through making
• talks by invited speakers
• tutorials to enable students to share work with small groups and gain supportive feedback from tutors and class discussion
• project work combining individual and teamwork