The Major project is a common module to all students called DES506M2, coordinated by Dr P Moore and is delivered along side module DES512M2 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 & M Cullen/ L. Cadieux
- interactivity (eg. games design) - J.Magee / M Cullen & T Quigley
- film (compositing virtual and real environments) J.Magee & L. Cadieux / P Moore
- graphics (packaging) - J.Magee & P Hodge/ T Quigley
- illustration (3D Computer art). - J.Magee & P. McLaughlin / M Cullen
The content is self directed and should celebrate the extent of design knowledge and skills attained through the duration of your studies.
Click here to see 3D Student Showcase projects from previous years.
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 DES506M2
- Module Report Form DES512M2
- 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
D&AD Briefs
There are several briefs presented by the D&AD. The deadline for entries is 20th March 2008. These are industrially set briefs which all have excellent prizes. The D&AD awards of a yellow or Black pencil is highly respected across the design industry. See the project briefs here.
Interior Motives Design Competition
This years competition 'design for life' can be found at Interior Motives 2008. there are 4 Project Themes including
- Strength in lightness
- 'i' is for innovation
- modern luxury
- the third way
See Ithe 2008 nterior Motives Student Manual
25 K Award Proposed Projects
They will be developed in collaboration with individuals from Business school.
Discuss with J Magee
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.
Live projects
There are 3 projects in discussion at present which may be live within this week.
1. Greater Shantallow Community Arts- Dubhdara- this relates to graphic illustration or 3d character and environment content development for their original content story of DubhDara, meaning dark man of Oak. They have developed an illustrated book on this Irish mythical character. They will be supplying a 10 page extract from the book for an individual to take creative licence in developing. They wish to have samples of work completed for March to assist in a grant application for production funding for a full length animation.
2 and 3 relate to proposals by biomedical sciences combining artistic imagery and science as multimedia or illustrative educational tools. More to follow....
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
