Teaching and assessment for DJCAD Summer School

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design

Urquhart Castle near Inverness. People walk around the ruins on a bright summer's day. Behind the castle are some hills and an expanse of water

Teaching

We’ve curated a vibrant mix of weekly activities. They will combine interactive learning sessions with cultural experiences.
lectures
- This will cover essential concepts such as design thinking and civic innovation. It also covers research methods, communication and the impact of design
hands-on design sprint workshops
- You will apply what you have learned of the essential concepts and collaborate with peers and experts.
cultural visits
- These will encourage you to gather inspiration. This can be done through photos, videos, sketches, and personal observations.
You will also explore strategies for effectively communicating your ideas. This will allow you to present your work to a broader audience.

Assessments

Concept and Process demonstration (50%)
- You will document your project concept and development process in your preferred medium. This can be a poster, an object, a sketchbook, or a video.
Presentation (50%)
- You will walk us through your project development. This will be an opportunity to reflect on your learning journey and inspirations from cultural excursions.
- You will show how your project reflects your understanding of using design knowledge to achieve innovation and tackle social, economic, or environmental challenges. You will also be able to show how you plan to apply your learning in future studies and work.

How you will experience the course from week to week

Open all sections

You’ll be introduced to the Design Thinking for Civic Innovation course. You will participate in workshops at V&A Dundee. You will receive expert guidance as you begin your project development.

You will enhance your understanding of Scotland's design heritage with a tour of the Dundee campus and museum collections.

A welcome dinner will help you connect with fellow participants.

At the weekend, you will have the opportunity to explore Scotland’s stunning landscapes. You will also experience a traditional Highland Games event.

Building on your inspiration from Week 1, you’ll continue developing your project. You will be supported and guided by experts and research teams. They will introduce you to diverse world-class design research projects in DJCAD. These will showcase to you the multifaceted value of design.

You’ll be introduced to DJCAD’s workshop facilities. These include metal, textile, 3D printing, and ceramics workshops. Specialists will share the importance of hands-on prototyping in delivering final outcomes.

A group dinner in a local restaurant will allow you to catch up with your fellow students. You will be able to discuss and share your Summer School experiences to date. This will hopefully lead in to some excitement for the weekend’s activities.

The weekend will feature an overnight trip to Loch Ness. This will allow you a deep dive into Highland culture. We hope that this will inspire you in the way that design connects with environmental sustainability and cultural diversity.

You’ll be given self-directed study time. This will allow you to develop and design your project outputs, focusing on finalising and presenting your project.

A fun souvenir-making workshop will provide an opportunity to create a personalised keepsake. This will hopefully let you capture your memories of the course.

You will share your project outcomes in a final presentation. This is an opportunity for you to reflect on your learning experiences with faculty and peers.

We’ll conclude the course with a celebratory dinner in a local restaurant.

All activities are subject to change

Credit transfer information

On successful completion of the Design Thinking for Civic Innovation module as part of the DJCAD Summer School, you will be awarded 15 credits under the Scottish Credits and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at level 9.

15 SCQF is equivalent to 7.5 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) and 4 US credits.

Please check with your home institution how credit attainment transfers as this may differ in each institution.

Contact our enquiry team

If you have any questions about the admissions process, studying, or living in Dundee, please contact us

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