The Major project is a common module to all undergraduate design students called DES509, coordinated by Justin Magee and is delivered along side module DES518 . You will be supported by the following staff:
- Johanna Bartley
- Lee Cadieux
- Mark Cullen
- Anton Hutton
- Robin Hodge
- Padraic Lynch
- Dr. Justin Magee
- Prof. Paul Moore
- Terry Quigley
Click here to see some 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 >>> (Required prior to week 1)
- Record of Meeting Form view >>> (for Tutorials and critiques) -to be completed weekly
- Assessment sheet- Module Report Form DES509
- Work reports view >>>
- Time sheets view >>>
The project brief for the Major 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 Digital Media in connection with the NI Science Park.
This module closely relates to DES518 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.
To assist you in deciding on what project to do you may consider some of the following suggested Projects, or bring a proposal of your own.
D&AD Briefs
There are several briefs presented by the D&AD. You will need to read the entry details and the deadlines for competition if you wish to compete. 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.
25 K Award Proposed Projects
The 2010 £25K awardsare launched each year. 2008 was the first year for a specific digital media sector and traditionally new product invention was the norm. These competitions rely on collaborations with larger teams of students/ professionals. Magee design student Mark Quinn along with their team won this competition in 2010 for Digital Media.
The categories are:
| Hi tech | Clean Technology Definition | Bio tech (Life Sciences) | Digital Media & Software |
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Discuss with J Magee
Dare to be Digital
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 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 professional Games designer
In 2008 Magee students made it to the finals, and spend 10 weeks funded in Dublin. Mark Quinn in the MDes was the team leader and creative content designer and was accompanied by BDes student Niall Carlin. In 2009 a team including BSc Student Phil Lawson also made the global finals.
Posterfortomorrow
Poster For Tomorrow:Posterfortomorrow is an annual social welfare visual communication brief. In previous years the University of Ulster at Magee has enjoyed success with Chris Scott being short listed as a finalist. We have had the international exhibition on the Magee campus. In 2009-2010 I had the pleasure of being one of the International online Judges. This years brief is The Right to Education. see more>>>
Live projects
Altnagelvin Hospital Art collection:
Design Communication is key in terms of rehabilitation and has been documented in research literature as having a positive effect on recovery. The Western Health Trust at Atlnagelvin are interested in developing a series of exciting deisgn briefs which will address a number of issues for a range of people and their specific conditions. These will offer opportunities for students in illustration, typography, photography, 3D design (Furniture and functional sculpture) and moving image.
Prize: Successful works will be included the the Hospital Permanent Art Gallery collection.
International Student recruitment video
The International office wish to generate a promotional video capturing student life from the perspective of international students. Primarily for the chinese market. It requires someone strong in graphic design and video production. Those chosen for this brief will work directly with a member of the international office as their client. The content includes.
- A Brief introduction about NI
- 4 campuses including 6 faculties
- Interviews with leading academics or senior staff from the University
- Our facilities: library, sports centre, career development centre…
- Interviews with some international students
- Interviews with successful graduates
- Key selling points…
For more information contact J Magee
Popular Peace .org
As part of your minors some of you choose to complete the brief on International Politics as a branding project. Opportunity exists to develop this brief (or begin from the start if you did not do the minor) for a multimedia support resource for the organisation.See project A relating to the brand identity offered in the minor projects.It may be possible to be innovative on how you record narrative from world experts, using skype for example and then selecting appropriate imagery to echo their perspective, in a similar way to "one in eight million"
For more information contact P Lynch
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
