vcc.ca
VCDP 1292: Guided Design Exploration
Effective date
September 2020
Department
Visual Comm Design Diploma
School
Trades, Technology and Design
Description
Being able to independently and proactively engage in design exploration is a great asset to every designer, and this course gives first-year students the opportunity to freely explore various design-related topics through self-selected projects. The self-selected projects are intended to help students develop their skills in independent thinking and time management as they select and plan their own work. Students will also expand their skills in teamwork and communication by completing at least one collaborative project during the course. In selecting projects, students will be asked to consider how their selections will help build skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful design career after graduation - for example, by gaining skill in an area of specialization, bolstering an area of weakness, or creating unique work for a portfolio. The course will include mentorship from an instructor who will check in with each student personally each class and will also lead learning activities related to creative thinking, personal and project management, professional development, and communication.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
1st Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Select a personal design project that will help build important career skills
- Assess weaknesses in personal management, time management, learning, or organization skills and develop strategies to overcome those weaknesses
- Organize a collaborative project into tasks and roles that can be assigned to various teammates
- Identify skill or knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to complete a given design project
- Request and respond to feedback
- Participate in critique discussions using accurate design terminology and clear language
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
1. Interview with department to discuss previous experience
2. A portfolio assessment of previously completed related work OR
3. The demonstration of skills via the successful completion of 1-4 related projects/assignments similar to those completed in the course, chosen at the discretion of the department
2. A portfolio assessment of previously completed related work OR
3. The demonstration of skills via the successful completion of 1-4 related projects/assignments similar to those completed in the course, chosen at the discretion of the department
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 42
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 12
Total Hours: 54
Practicum, Self-Paced, Individual Learning: 12
Total Hours: 54
Instructional Strategies
A combination of lecture, demonstration, production simulations, problem solving, practical labs and reflective discussion will be used throughout this course.
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
C
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Project |
30 |
Final project |
|
Assignments |
30 |
Assignments |
|
Lab Work |
30 |
May include in-class exercises, assignments, quizzes/tests, and work-in-progress |
|
Participation |
10 |
Participation and professionalism |
Course topics
- Ideation
- Project planning
- Time management
- Personal management
- Collaboration
- Professional development
- Self-directed learning
- Creative thinking and problem solving
- Communication, critiques, and feedback
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.