Department of Engineering and Design BSc (Hons) Product Design Design Project (Individual Project - H6052) Getting Started This document contains some important information about getting started, along with sources of inspiration, and answers some of the questions you are likely to have in advance of the start of the term one. How am I allocated a supervisor? In week two of term one you will be asked to present the research you have done over the summer break to Diane Simpson-Little, Mark Jenkins a n d C l a i r e P o t t e r who will then endeavour to place you with an appropriate first and second supervisor. When should I meet my supervisor? The list of first and second supervisors will be published after your presentation (see above). At that point your first supervisor will contact you to discuss your project. During this time your supervisor will arrange a mutually convenient time to hold your weekly supervision meetings through the two terms. * Please Note these meetings are compulsory. What should I do to prepare for my project? This was explained in detail at the preparation event, but in brief: • Choose an area or a project from the proposed briefs • You MUST begin your research over the summer break • Begin keeping a visual research book • Do some first hand observational research • Visit exhibitions and museums both related/non-related to your project • Check out the suggested links in this document • Read – look at the suggested books (list below) • Draw – keep practicing your drawing skills over the summer and beyond • See Claire Potter’s presentation to inspire When should I do my project? Work must commence over the summer break. Upon your return the design projects take place through the whole of terms 1 and 2 . They are not formally timetabled so that you can choose when to work on them. However, you are expected to devote 15 hours a week to them, on average, over academic year. This time includes formal project supervision meetings with your supervisor. Where should I do my project? The Design Studio and our messy room are a great resource for us in product design, and remember designing is not a solitary activity so, use it. Not only will you be able to bounce ideas off your peers, and use them in focus groups/research etc., but also you have the advantage of tutors on hand for advice, (although obviously not all the time). However you can work in the CAD labs or at home. Note: the design studio is also used for teaching, a timetable will be on the door at the start of term. Is there a design project study direct site? Yes, and you will have access from term one. Here you will find lots of help and advice, deadlines, criteria, useful blogs, competitions, forms, along with information of previous design shows and new designers and other relevant information Risk Assessment Forms To ensure your project working environment is safe, you are required to identify any potential hazards and record them on the Risk Assessment Form. This will be made available on the design project Study Direct site. When is my first submission? Y o u a r e r e q u i r e d t o p r e s e n t y o u r s u m m e r r e s e a r c h t o t h e t u t o r s i n w e e k 2 o f t h e a u t u m n t e r m d a t e s T B A . You are also required to submit a short project plan to your supervisor in week 3, term 1. More information regarding this and other deadlines will be given to you in term 1 and will also be uploaded to the ‘design project’ study direct site.