Creative Technologies module (DJ51037)

Being able to design and make concepts that integrate working technologies into product prototypes is an important skill for Product Designers.

In this module, you will work with open source microcontroller platforms like Arduino to make working hardware and software prototypes. This typically involves coding, testing, building, and communicating concepts.

Learning about creative technologies will help you gain the confidence to design, produce, and document working physical digital prototypes that tell a story about connectivity.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• learn current issues and trends relating to social uses of technology
• learn how to use open hardware and software platforms (e.g. Arduino) to design and make concepts
• learn to use narrative storytelling techniques like storyboarding and video to create a compelling scenario and story for a concept
• learn to use digital fabrication tools and techniques (e.g. 3D printing and laser cutting)

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

• critically build narratives around current issues relating to social uses of technology
• build models and other related props to assist narrative creation and produce a short video communicating your concept
• use specialised research methods such as experience prototyping, user scenarios, and storyboarding

Assignments / assessment

This module follows a four-stage design process, .

This module is assessed through the submission of a prototype, presentation, video, and process blog.

The summative assessment is based on the following percentages for each stage (FIND, PLAY, MAKE, and TALK) of the design process:

• Find (10%): generate insights through desk research and develop original ideas
• Play (40%): exploration of technology and materials to create prototypes
• Make (25%): create highly resolved prototypes that are believable in the context of the story you tell
• Talk (25%): reflect critically on your process and the future of technology through both video and text

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

Learning will take place in the MSc Product studio using a range of teaching methods.

• Lectures will include demonstrations of software development and hardware use
• Workshops will provide students with practical hands-on experience in making and testing circuits
• Tutorials will enable students to share their work with small groups and gain formative feedback from tutors
• Formative presentations at each stage of the design process allow students to present work to the class and receive feedback from tutors and classmates

This module is delivered as an intensive four-week block from weeks 5 - 8 in semester one.