The Major project is a common module to all students called DES506M2, coordinated by A. Hutton. Some students will opt for 3D design related topics as a specialism. I will be the supervisor for 3D driven projects, but depending on the nature of the work supervision may be shared with other academics utilising their expertise. In such instances appropriate tutor based support form relative lecturers should be clearly discussed and discipline weighting of the work organised at the start of the project. General categories are:
- completely 3D (Product based, automotive virtual 3D) - J.Mgaee
- relate to animation (3D character based) - J.Magee & L. Cadieux
- interactivity (eg. games design) - J.Magee / M Cullen & J.Bartley
- film (compositing virtual and real environments) J.Magee & L. Cadieux / P Moore
- graphics (packaging) - J.Magee & S. Mackel / P Hodge
- illustration (3D Computer art). - J.Magee & P. McLaughlin
The content is self directed and should celebrate the extent of design knowledge and skills attained through the duration of your studies.
Student Project Examples from 2005/06
The following illustrates some examples of wok from last years students
| Dave O'Brien | The Fruggles |
| Gwynne Adams | Ambulance |
| Barry McMennimen | House hold safety system |
| Derek McLaughlin | Flow- Future Transport |
| Simon Logan | X-treme off road vehicle |
| JP McCauley | Bang on the Door Game (live project) |
| Stephen McDaid | RFD Beuford - RoRo life jacket (Live Project) |
Project Documentation
The following documents will be required for the different stages of feedback and assessment. You will need to print off forms 1 and 2 and complete as appropriate.
- Project Proposal Form view >>> (week 1)
- Record of Meeting Form view >>> (for Tutorials and critiques) -to be completed weekly
- Module report form view >>> Final assessment
- Work reports view >>>
- Time sheets view >>>
The project brief for the Major 3D design module is self directed by the student. You must propose substantial design projects for a 40pt module. This equates to 400 work hours. In weekly terms this is 33hrs per week over 12 weeks. It is therefore very important that you timetable yourselves appropriately. There are a number of tasks associated with this module to allow you to manage your time, reflect on design proposals and defend your decisions. If your project is suitable it will be recommended for submission to the £25K awards in connection with NICENT.. Current opportunities exist for 3D students to get involved with individuals from Music, Computer Science and business studies to enter the Dare to be Digital Games design competition.
This module closely relates to DES518M2 Major project Report. The simple rule is if you document research or development findings in writing you must create supporting visual narrative and if you produce any form of visual design outcomes you must document them in the report. Follow the design process
Coursework 1 (25%)
This is the rationale and research stage of the project. The clear definition of the problem, the visual examples of the issues and includes methods such as Contextual notebooks, story boards, mood and theme boards and a problem identification sheet. It includes an initial design specification
Coursework 2 (25%) and coursework 3 (25%)
This is the 'process' visual accounts of your work dealing with Concept (CW2) and Development (CW3), and will be the substance of the project. It should include all the relevant design methods such as Sketchbooks, Colour visuals, Technical CAD (BS308), Sketch Models, anthropometrics considerations, hard model prototyping .It will account for the bulk of your design effort. It is the documented problem solving of the project. This includes a developed design specification.
Coursework 4 (25%)
This is the formal presentation of design work and should include, as appropriate, final hard models, Final colour visuals (Traditional or IT), final prototypes and Animations. Work should be presented Digitally and should illustrate the scope of your design skills. The preparation of your narrative is very important. Use the Report as a guide and make references during presentations. This is a formal presentation to a professional panel.
Suggested Projects
Interior Motives Design Competition
This years competition 'Solving the Paradox' can be found at Interior Motives 2007. there are 4 Project Themes including
- Young Inside
- Zero Impact Urban Mobility
- Unseeen Technology
- Simple yet Individual
See Interior Motives Student Manual
25 K Award Proposed Projects
The following projects require design expertise. They will be developed in collaboration with individuals from Business school.
Discuss with J Magee
Formula Student- Live Project
Formula Student is an annual worldwide competition which is taken very seriously by industry. It attracts considerable funding and 'in kind' support. This project would be conducted as part of a team and there are 2 main areas which Product designers can input to make a significant difference.The lead partners are Mechanical Engineering at Jordanstown, under Justin Quinn (Lecturer). See exaample of an Austrian competitor- VVVVVrrrooMMMMMM!!!!
Exterior design: This is a styling job. The aesthetic must be 'aggressive' and there is a real opportunity to do something quite radical with the form as this is a one-off product. Apart from the body panels there is the consideration of the rims (3 part inner, outer and centre piece) which will be carbon fibre, and also the engine surround which could be an aluminium exo-skeleton and partial cover in carbon fibre.
You would be working as part of a team with Engineering students in Jordanstown and would have to travel occasionally for meetings, presentations and production work.
Interior design: This part of the project is concerned with ergonomics- both physical and visual. An element that is difficult to solve. In the cockpit there is little space. How could this be redesigned to accommodate a wider percentile group. The seating is also uncomfortable. I have held discussions with an EPS company who would also be willing to manufacture seating units. The Instrument cluster is currently a series of LED's , switchs etc and is very functional (without any aesthetic). Other technologies such as PC labels could be applied - graphics added and relocation of componenets to improve the visual layout and the task analysis hierarchy of this part.
Engineering have a significant production budget to assist with all the manufacture costs. The project is also supported with a specific online forum.
Dare to be Digital
This is the foremost games design competition and is heavily sponsored by industry. You would be expected to wok as part of a team and make effort to register for and enter the competition. The team would be made up from Computer Games programmers, business students and perhaps those from other subjects- e.g. Health Science if appropriate. Effort should be made to prototype your game. Some assistance can be gained from Mark Cullen, who is a games designer for Instinct technologies.
Smart Materials
Justin Quinn from Engineering at Jordanstown also work with a range of Smart materials. These are high performance fabrics which have unique characteristics which can change in certain situations. A visit will take place to observe these materials. They may provide some opportunities for new an innovative product applications.
Interesting topic ??
EQ - Emotional Quotient is a recent scientific finding which explores the levels of emotional intellignece we have and assesses how important it is. The BBC programme Child of our time follows the progression of children from birth through to adulthood and will continue for some years to come. In series 5 programme 4, Prof. Robert Winston discusses how some childrens EQ allows them to be more successful in communication.
If a new product was to be devleoped to either enourage EQ growth or measure it through a form of gameplay, what would this product be? Would it use interactive design and animation, perhaps film footage to assist in its assessment. Would it be a hand held computer game or even a physical toy. TThe aim is to assist EQ growth- To my knowledge this is a new area for exploration. See some descriptors for EQ.
Useful Sites
Some useful sites to assist in project selection and inspiration are:
Dare to be Digital Games design competition
Design Engine.com Competitions and examples of work
Interior motives Competitions and awards
Car Design News Tutorials - rendering
Car Design News Student and industry stand work examples
D&AD Design community and competitions
Core 77 Design community and competitions
Dexigner Design community and conferences
Coroflot Design community and conferences
