Think big

I’m doing a lecture for undergraduates on Friday morning at 10am in 5018 entitled Think Big. You are probably all busy then, but if you want to come along, then you are most welcome.

A little light advice…

So, you are all coming up to your first assessment on your Masters course at DJCAD. I am aware how hard you have all worked, and the commitment that you have put into your studies on this module. So, you need to focus on how this can reflect best on our assessment of your work. I suggest you do this:

• Read the Deliverables page and make sure you understand EVERYTHING. If there is anything you don’t understand then just ask.
• Module log – this requires SIX things to be present – just make sure they are. In some cases I have gone to your online log and found… nothing! So please ensure that the required content is there. At the end of Friday afternoon I will download the content of all of your blogs for some light reading over the weekend! So if the content is not there by Friday afternoon, then it won’t be read. Most importantly, I want to read what you have learned from this module, and how you think it will carry forward into your future learning and work.
• Your research presentation on Friday afternoon requires FOUR things. Make sure they are all present. And in doing it, please make use of all the advise and experience you have been exposed to over the last three weeks. You are submitting three boards, supporting documentation (that will of course show off the rigour and detail of your research) and a 10 minute presentation. Bear in mind that the presentation is the menu, not the meal. Pitch us your insights and ideas – don’t obscure it with too much detail. Take into account both the Made to Stick book that we recommended you read, and the talk given by Joanna Montgomery on how to pitch ideas effectively.
• We have five assessment criteria. We apply these strictly in assessing you. Criteria 1, 3 and 4 are assessed mainly through the group presentation, while the others are assessed mainly through your own individual blog. Ensure that you understand the criteria and think self-critically about how your work best emphasises them.
• Use the rehearsals on Thursday afternoon to help refine your presentation.

Remember, assessment is not a process where we try to trip you up or knock your confidence. It is a stage where you have the opportunity to share your thinking, insights and ideas, and to have pride in them. It is also an opportunity for us to identify the strengths of your learning, and to suggest how you can strengthen your already considerable talents.

Assessment this Friday

Assessed presentations will commence at 2pm this Friday in the MDes studio. Each team will present for 10 minutes, following which there will be questions from the panel. Questions will also be invited from all those present. All students will be expected to attend all presentations.

Presentation rehearsals

Thursday 13 October – If you wish to do a run through of your presentation on this Thursday, then I have made the following slots available – MDes studio: Group A (13.30) Group B (14.00) Group C (14.30) Group D (15.15) Group E (15.45). Alternatively, you may wish to use this time to talk through your work so far.

Use ‘the think tanks’

A think tank (or policy institute) is a non-profit organisation that undertakes research in areas of government and/or social policy. The UK has a number of world-leading think tanks, and there is a good list provided by The Guardian in addition to one on Wikipedia. In most cases they have a broad political alignment, although in many cases they seek to transcend traditional left/right definitions.

Even light research on your part will reveal research undertaken by the think tanks that fall within your area of interest for the current project. For example:

• The IPPR’s Older Londoners project is looking at the problems raised by the lack of social contact on the part of older people.
• Demos has also recently produced a report on the ageing population.
• The New Economics Foundation has published research on creating stronger and more inclusive communities.
• The Young Foundation also does research on the ageing population.
• The Work Foundation conducts research into the future of work and employment.

These are just tasters, and I would recommend that you look through the websites of these and other think tanks. In most cases their research publications are freely downloadable.

Ceramics: a fragile history

Last night’s BBC TV programme on the history of ceramics (the first in a series of three) was a total delight. If you have any interest in how we read objects to tell us social history and to help us understand culture, then this is a must see series.

While next week’s programme will focus on Josiah Wedgwood – very much the Steve Jobs of his day – last night’s included a fascinating section on how the UK imported China’s tea drinking culture, redefined it, and used it – through ceramics – to create spaces and rituals for sharing and mediation.

I’m a photographer….

The UK’s anti-terrorist laws create some challenges for people who have a legitimate reason to take photographs in public places – like photographers and/or design researchers.

It is important that you know your legal rights as you photograph, and know how to deal with security staff, police and others who may attempt to confiscate your camera, or insist that you delete images.

I’m a photographer not a terrorist is a campaigning organisation on this issue. In particular I’d recommend downloading their bust-card and keeping it with you.