Project Methodologies

Code:

MP301

Acronym:

MP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Design

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Design
Course/CS Responsible:	Communication Design

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
DC	44	Plano Oficial do ano letivo 2017	4	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The purpose of this class is to present and confront students with the study and practice of design methodologies. In this context, it is intended for students to learn terminology and practices oriented to project development in design, which will allow them to establish their own work processes.

Learning outcomes and competences

* To research in order to understand the characteristics, goals and the various contexts of a given design project.

* To research exploring various methodologies in order to conceive and develop design projects.

* To understand different research models and methodological approaches, articulating that knowledge with practical applications in design projects.

* To be autonomous in the construction of methodological systems that are able to function in accordance to the challenges proposed in a given project.

Working method

Presencial

Program

This class is focused on structuring work methodologies in design projects, acting as a forum for discussion and monitoring students’ in design projects, articulating the following subjects: 


1. Explanations of principles, strategies and project methodologies in design.



2. Project structural analysis: phases, tasks and goals.


3. Project calendar analysis: milestones, dependencies, and critical path.


4. Human resources, archive and documentation management.


5. Application of the previous principles to students’ projectual practices.

Mandatory literature

Dubberly, Hugh, ed.; How Do You Design? – a Compendium of Models, Dubberly Design Office, 2005
Lupton, Ellen; Graphic Design Thinking: Beyond Brainstorming, Princeton Architectural Press, 2011
NOBLE, Ian; BESTLEY, Russel; Visual Research - An introduction to research methodologies in graphic design, Ava Academia, 2005

Complementary Bibliography

Ambrose, Gavin, & Harris, Paul; Basics Design 08: Design Thinking, AVA Publishing SA, 2009
AUDREY, Bennett; Design Studies: Theory and Research in Graphic Design - A Reader, Princeton Architectural Press, 2006
Boden, Margaret A.; The Creative Mind: Myths and Mechanisms, Psychology Press, 2004
Merton, R K, E Barber, and J L Shulman; The Travels and Adventures of Serendipity: a Study in Sociological Semantics and the Sociology of Science, Princeton University Press, 2011
Van Andel, Pek; Anatomy of the Unsought Finding. Serendipity: Orgin, History, Domains, Traditions, Appearances, Patterns and Programmability, The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 1994
Weinschenk, Susan; 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People, Pearson Education, 2011

Teaching methods and learning activities

Presentation, analysis and discussion of relevant materials in order to establish a permanent discussion forum among the student working teams.

Setting in place the idea of the creative lab as a space of experimentation and exploration, individually or collectively developing projects in order to implement scientific contents and methodologies in design research.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho laboratorial	90,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	15,00
Frequência das aulas	30,00
Trabalho escrito	15,00
Trabalho laboratorial	21,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

Final grade equal or superior to 10 points.

Calculation formula of final grade

* The final grades will be calculated from the mean average of every project evaluation, and its articulation with a qualitative evaluation of the students' attendance and contributions in class and in all the remaining curricular activities;

* Non delivered projects will be scored with a 0 (zero);

* Projects that are not duly monitored won't be evaluated;

* Projects delivered beyond the established deadlines will be penalized in its score by 20%.

* The lack of attendance by more than 25% of classes will be cause for reprobation.

Classification improvement

Only by attending the class the following year.