Unit 7 project briefing

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Course: BA (Hons) Textiles Year: Three

Unit: BA7: Final Project 1: Research, development and reflection

Project Title: Project Preparation

Project 1 of 1 within this unit

Start Date: 03/10/11 Study Hours: 320

Submission Dates: 21/11/11 Draft research report 28/11/11 Studio practice

• Description This project initiates your final year of study and aims to prepare you in planning, developing and organising your final project work for the next unit. In the early stages of the project you will be given advice on designing a Learning Agreement. This document will propose the direction of your study for the rest of the year and you will need to pay careful attention to explaining how your intended course of study will address the Learning Outcomes for the year.

• Description This project initiates your final year of study and aims to prepare you in planning, developing and organising your final project work for the next unit. In the early stages of the project you will be given advice on designing a Learning Agreement. This document will propose the direction of your study for the rest of the year and you will need to pay careful attention to explaining how your intended course of study will address the Learning Outcomes for the year.

• Description

• prepare you in planning, developing and organising your final project work for the next unit. In the early stages of the project you will be

• designing a Learning Agreement. This document • propose the direction of your study for the rest

of the year • address the Learning Outcomes for the year.

• The project also enables you to broaden and deepen your understanding of the importance of research and the types of research that are appropriate and relevant to your area of study within textiles. Experimentation and development of ideas, techniques and materials will need to be considered in the development of your project into its final stages in the next unit. You may want to consider how your work in each unit will prepare you for employment or further study.

• The project also enables you to broaden and deepen your understanding of the importance of research and the types of research that are appropriate and relevant to your area of study within surface design. Experimentation and development of ideas, techniques and materials will need to be considered in the development of your project into its final stages in the next unit. You may want to consider how your work in each unit will prepare you for employment or further study.

• broaden and deepen your understanding of the importance of research and the types of research

• appropriate and relevant to your area of study• Experimentation and development of ideas,

techniques and materials will need to be• development of your project into its final stages

in the next unit. You may want to consider how• employment or further study.

• The project involves development of a research report alongside your studio development. Your research report will be developed independently with support from your tutors and will form an investigation into an area closely related to your practice in textiles. This could be a theoretical, social or cultural issue or something more closely aligned to the industry practice associated with your subject.

• The project involves development of a research report alongside your studio development. Your research report will be developed independently with support from your tutors and will form an investigation into an area closely related to your practice in textiles. This could be a theoretical, social or cultural issue or something more closely aligned to the industry practice associated with your subject.

• development of a research report alongside your studio development.

• investigation into an area closely related to your practice in textiles.

• theoretical, social or cultural issue or something • closely aligned to the industry practice associated

with your subject.

• This project addresses the key areas of study as follows:

• Studio Practice: Your studio practice will be determined by the direction of your intended project. You will be expected to experiment with techniques, materials and concepts that you have learnt in Years 1 and 2. Time management and organisation are essential in planning your project and access to appropriate workshops, as is your ability to assess risks and use safe working practices. It is important that you develop a range of visual, text based and material research throughout this project. You should also consider the contexts that you may want to explore.

• This project addresses the key areas of study as follows:

• Studio Practice: Your studio practice will be determined by the direction of your intended project. You will be expected to experiment with techniques, materials and concepts that you have learnt in Years 1 and 2. Time management and organisation are essential in planning your project and access to appropriate workshops, as is your ability to assess risks and use safe working practices. It is important that you develop a range of visual, text based and material research throughout this project. You should also consider the contexts that you may want to explore.

• determined by the direction of your intended project.

• experiment with techniques, materials and concepts that you have learnt in Years 1 and 2.

• Time management and organisation are essential• develop a range of visual, text based and material

research throughout this project. You should also • consider the contexts that you may want to

explore.

• Business and Professional Skills: This project will include sessions on fund-raising, entrepreneurship and effective communication to a variety of audiences. Your independent research report may be wholly or partially concerned with investigating aspects of the creative industries associated with your subject. You will receive tutorial support throughout this project.

•

• Business and Professional Skills: This project will include sessions on fund-raising, entrepreneurship and effective communication to a variety of audiences. Your independent research report may be wholly or partially concerned with investigating aspects of the creative industries associated with your subject. You will receive tutorial support throughout this project.

•

• fund-raising, entrepreneurship• effective communication to a variety of

audiences.• independent research report associated with

your subject. You will receive tutorial support throughout this

project. •

• Contextual Studies: The project will address historical and theoretical research methods that will help you to critically engage with your work. You will be guided in planning, researching and writing a sustained research report. Your independent research report may be wholly or partially concerned with investigating contextual issues concerned with your studio project. You will be supported in your learning by a series of seminars where you will consider the content and presentation of your draft research report

• Contextual Studies: The project will address historical and theoretical research methods that will help you to critically engage with your work. You will be guided in planning, researching and writing a sustained research report. Your independent research report may be wholly or partially concerned with investigating contextual issues concerned with your studio project. You will be supported in your learning by a series of seminars where you will consider the content and presentation of your draft research report

• historical and theoretical research methods • critically engage with your work. • planning, researching and writing a sustained

research report. • independent research report concerned with

investigating contextual issues concerned with your studio project. You will be supported in your

• consider the content and presentation of your draft research report

Work required for this project:

Area of study Which Unit Assessment Requirement this work contributes to:

A Learning Agreement Studio practice Body of studio work

A body of studio work and supporting evidence of research

Studio practice Body of studio work and research files.

A draft research report (minimum 1000 words)

Contextual Studies / Business and Professional Skills

Research Report

Learning Outcome How you will be assessed:

LO1: Demonstrate consistent knowledge and understanding of your subject area, making detailed reference to current and emerging practice

We will be looking for breadth and depth in your references to contemporary practices in textiles and we will be looking at the scope and context of your project in relation to textile design practice, particularly through your Learning Agreement and draft Research Report.

LO2: To identify issues or questions relevant to your subject and adopt established research methods, clear analysis and appropriate written and visual communication through a draft research report.

We will be looking for a focused approach to ideas generation and evidence of how selection and development has been made. We will be looking for indications that you have identified research methods appropriate to your project, particularly through your supporting research for your studio work and draft Research Report.

Learning Outcome How you will be assessed:

LO3: Evidence a clear understanding of contextual, historical and ethical concepts using research material from a variety of sources relevant to your own practice.

We will be looking for documentation of movements, periods, designers, artists, visual work, concepts and issues that relate to your project and indications of their links and importance to your work, particularly through your draft Research Report.

LO4: Plan your learning, using a range of techniques, references and approaches appropriate to your subject.

We will be looking for an organised approach to planning through charts, schedules, mind maps, timelines, collation of information into appropriate folders, technical plans, costings, material sourcing, etc.

Learning Outcome How you will be assessed:

LO5: Evaluate a diversified field of information and ideas in order to make informed judgments about appropriate questions and potential solutions to problems

We will be looking for development of ideas using a range of information (technical, historical, theoretical, practical, etc) and how you have used the information to make decisions on how to take the project forward.

LO6: Communicate creatively and appropriately to a variety of audiences using spoken word, text and images

We will be looking for easily accessible, well organised and clearly labelled material in all of your submission. We will be looking at how easily we are able to follow your ideas and the relationships and approaches you have taken.

• Reference material • The nature of your independent project will

determine the reading list for this project. Your tutors will guide you towards appropriate reading material.

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Research Report Guidelines

• 5,000 word Research Report• The Research Report is • a piece of written work that captures and

communicates your thoughts on a particular theme, idea, practice or subject, supported by reasoned argument based on research, analysis and interpretation.

• The topic of your Research Report is negotiated and agreed with your course tutors through a written Learning Agreement

• The RR might involve the following:• Research focused on practices, theories or

socio-cultural issues related to your work.• Research around the creative industries and

professional concerns that are associated with your practice.

• Research which involves advancing your practice through experimentation with processes and/or materials.

• Style and Form• Your Research Report will take one of the

following forms

Extended essay

• takes a theoretical or historical topic that addresses an aspect of visual culture and uses a writing style similar to that of an academic paper. Topics could involve areas such as: fine art and post-colonial theory; contemporary film and narrative; or fashion and identity. Your research would usually be based around reading and understanding secondary and primary texts on your subject and, where appropriate, visual analysis.

Industry report

• Topics concerning aspects of industry practices related to your area of study may be presented as an industry report. Examples might include a report considering viral advertising techniques; the ethics of the British textile industry; or surviving as a freelance artist or designer in Norfolk. Your research could include trade journals, interviews, financial reports and marketing data in addition to books and websites

Technical report

• You may chose to examine processes, techniques and/or materials that you use in your studio practice and use your report to document and analyse the results of your experimentation. You could, for example, look at natural dying methods; printing substrates; digital technologies; lighting techniques; casting techniques; or painting techniques. For this type of report there would usually be a review and analysis of current and/or historical practices using the techniques or materials in question and rationale for your experiments.

Reflective report

• A reflective report directly addresses your practice. You may well combine the styles of report described above and include sections that address relevant theories, historical references, industry information and technical experimentation. This type of report would give a holistic view of your studio practice and allow you to critically reflect on your work and development.

Reportage

• You could choose to write an article suitable for a specific magazine, newspaper or journal. In this case your article would be accompanied by a supporting text that detailed your research on the subject chosen, and your rationale for the style and topic of the article for the publication you have chosen. The supporting text would require rigorous evidence of research, references and a full bibliography.

In all cases your report will

Identify a problem or question as the subject of your investigation.

In all cases your report will

Articulate the relationship between your creative practice and chosen topic of research.

In all cases your report will

Utilise appropriate research methods (visual analysis, interviews, case studies, etc) to enable you to address the issue or issues identified.

In all cases your report will

Provide evidence of analysis, reflection, evaluation and conclusions.

In all cases your report will

Be appropriately structured with an introduction, chapters or sections and a conclusion.

In all cases your report will

Be thoroughly referenced; use images and quotations to reinforce points and support arguments; and include a full bibliography of sources.

In all cases your report will

Identify a problem or question as the subject of your investigation.• Articulate the relationship between your creative practice and chosen

topic of research.• Utilise appropriate research methods (visual analysis, interviews, case

studies, etc) to enable you to address the issue or issues identified.• Provide evidence of analysis, reflection, evaluation and conclusions.• Be appropriately structured with an introduction, chapters or sections and

a conclusion.• Be thoroughly referenced; use images and quotations to reinforce points

and support arguments; and include a full bibliography of sources.

Learning Outcomes

• Your draft report submitted for BA7 must meet Learning Outcome 2 in order to pass the unit. Your final Research Report must meet Learning Outcome 8 in order to pass unit BA8.

Schedule

• You will begin work on your Research Report in the Autumn Term of Year 3 and be guided in your study through seminars and tutorials. You will be expected to submit a draft of at least 1,000 words on Monday 21 November 2011 on which you will be assessed and receive feedback as part of Unit BA7. In the Spring Term, as part of Unit BA8, you will be supported in finalising your Research Report for submission on Monday 30 January 2012.

Draft Report

• The draft report that you will need to submit in Unit BA7 must be at least 1,000 words and must include a bibliography and references.

Draft Report

The draft report that you will need to submit • 1,000 words • bibliography and references.

• The draft should clearly show the structure that the final report will take, i.e. the chapters or sections that will form the body of the work. You may chose to write an equal amount of each chapter, or concentrate on one chapter, with a brief outline of the content of the others.

• The draft should clearly show the structure that the final report will take, i.e. the chapters or sections that will form the body of the work. You may chose to write an equal amount of each chapter, or concentrate on one chapter, with a brief outline of the content of the others.

• show the structure that the final report will take, i.e. the chapters or sections that will form the body of the work. You may chose to write an equal amount of each chapter, or concentrate on one chapter, with a brief outline of the content of the others.

• The minimum you should include for each chapter is: a title for the chapter, a paragraph explaining what the chapter will be about and a paragraph explaining your initial research for the chapter and further research you will be carrying out.

• The minimum you should include for each chapter is: a title for the chapter, a paragraph explaining what the chapter will be about and a paragraph explaining your initial research for the chapter and further research you will be carrying out.

• title for the chapter, • a paragraph explaining the chapter will be• a paragraph explaining your initial research• a paragraph explaining further research you

will be carrying out.

• You may wish to submit more than 1,000 words if you feel that your research has progressed enough to do so. Your draft should be clearly written and well organised. Submitting notes, bullet pointed text, annotated photocopies etc. will not enable you to sufficiently demonstrate that you have met the appropriate Learning Outcomes for the unit.

• clearly written and well organised. Submitting notes, bullet pointed text, annotated photocopies etc. will not enable you to sufficiently demonstrate that you have met the appropriate Learning Outcomes for the unit.

• Extended Research Report• In negotiation and agreement with your

Course Leader, you may elect to produce an Extended Research Report of up to 10,000 words. Your submissions and deadlines will be adjusted to reflect the study hours required to complete a longer Research Report.