Design - Research Methodologies

Code:

MID102

Acronym:

MID

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Art Sciences

Instance: 2015/2016 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Ciências da Arte e do 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	61	Licenciatura em Design de Comunicação	1	-	3	30	81

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Objectives: Learn design research methodologies in a theoretical-practical context.

Learning outcomes and competences

Skills: Conceiving and applying research methodologies to practical and theoretical design projects. Manage or participate in working groups doing theoretical and practical graphic design projects. Publicly present the results and steps of research projects.

Learning Outcomes: The student should be able to apply systematic research methodologies within academic and professional contexts, both as a designer and as an investigator.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. The role of research within the graphic design as an analytical tool or practice methodology. Introduction to theoretical models of design analysis (semiotics, semantics, communication theory, discourse theory, rhetoric); research modes (pure, applied); analytical and propositional methodologies.

2 The research areas within a design project: the field of study (where the job is located and what its function); the focus of the project (its context and specific function within the field of study); the research methodology applied to the project.

3. Design project divided into three stages:

3.1. Defining the problem;

3.2. Conceptual definition;

3.3. Formal definition.

Mandatory literature

Ian Noble, Russell Bestley; Visual Research: An introduction to research methodologies in graphic design, Princeton architectural Press, 2011
Ellen Lupton; Graphic Design Thinking: Beyond Brainstorming, Princeton Architectural Press., 2011

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures followed by three tutored assignments.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	30,00
Participação presencial	10,00
Trabalho laboratorial	60,00
Total:	100,00

Eligibility for exams

Final ranking equal to or above 10.

Calculation formula of final grade

The grade shall be the weighted average of the three assignments (80%) and participation and attendance (20%).