MA Design 2014 Catalogue

Introduction Course Information Course Structure Work by Selected Graduates Featured Project Negotiated Project Contact

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01 02 03 04 05 06 07

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

01 Introduction Roger Bateman, Programme Leader, MA Design, Principal Lecturer.

On the MA we seek to develop students’ understanding of contextual issues whilst we challenge them to be observant, investigative ‘translators’. Finding what needs doing and understanding why it needs doing are vital starting points for each design project and then the application of a well developed design process that interrogates the starting points is key to a creative design project.

out of components which may be hand made or machine made. The university together with the city provides a vast and accessible workshop to students, the trick is finding original and workable methods to weave the opportunities together.

A students’ time at Design School is transformational – beside the obvious aspect of learning how to improve and apply ones creativity there are the other things such as building networks, understanding enterprise and schools provide a safe environment within which creative risk taking can occur, and this is important as it is rare that such places can be found anywhere else.

01 | Introduction

Institute of Arts quickly recognize. Rapid developments in technology allow designers to realize complex components using 3D software, scanning, cutting and 3D printing. On the other hand, the maze of skilled

02 Course Information The MA Design Programme is aimed at graduates continuing their education and at professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge base. The MA can be studied and seminars are given by academics, researchers, designers and professionals in the following areas:

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MA Design (Graphics) MA Design (Illustration) MA Design (Packaging) MA Design (Product) MA Design (Jewellery & Metalwork) MA Design (Interior) MA Design (Fashion)

02 | Course Information

The Programme equips students to take a leading role in their chosen design discipline, to employ creativity, research and critical enquiry as a primary tool in identifying and developing of their creative discipline.

The MA Design Programme provides a collaborative studio environment where To encourage collaborative practice 1st semester modules are studies by all MA Design disciplines in a collaborative discursive environment.

During your course, students have the opportunity to take part in project work within a realistic professional context such as working with external companies or organisations. The MA Programme has strong relationships with the University’s Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC) and the Research and in research, knowledge transfer and live projects. There is support for students seeking industrial sponsors or collaborators.

Part-time students in relevant employment or students on sabbaticals have the opportunity to plan course projects which are based in their workplace world’ experience to the course as a whole.

03 Course Structure

MA P roj e

3

P

ect 1 roj

Sem est er

ct

r1 ste me Practice Se ting por up

The ory S

P ro j e c t 2

Neg

o ti a t e d S t u di e s

S e m e s te r 2

individuals understanding of their position within the ‘world of design’.

Students take part in debates that further develop their critical awareness of themes and areas relevant to current and future design practice.

During semester 2 students have the opportunity to negotiate the type of project work they undertake allowing them to focus on advanced level activity that informs their MA Project and professional aspirations.

conclusion of MA study and, through it students apply the full range of modules they have encountered on the Programme.

‘During Projects 1 and 2 students spend a good deal of time working on supported with an emphasis on creative practice informed by going work at , these are used to provide guidance on progression and assessment issues and project planning, as well as providing a location for group activities such as peer review of work in progress and exercises to develop creative thinking and communication skills.

03 | Course Structure

‘Theory Supporting Practice’: Within this module students attend a series of lectures, workshops and seminars and through a combination of personal

Julie-Ann Weissenborn MA Design (Jewellery & Metalwork)

share objects through sensory, imaginative and storytelling engagement.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Who is it for?

A variety of contexts including museums, healthcare environments. There are growing bodies of research studies that brings to light the potential of the arts to counter inequalities and increase public engagement

Why do this project?

I am interested in the role, objects play in peoples’ lives and the impact handling and discussion of these objects can have across a lifetime. Observing the behaviour of participants engaging with objects formed a key aspect of my research and investigation; I set out to encourage participants to share their personal objects and associated stories to facilitate discussion and what became particularly poignant was the way in which the objects contained the ‘power’ to connect people. Handling the objects encouraged participants curiosity, a form of active learning that everyone can take part in regardless of age, background or experience – this led me to understand that objects possess the potential to bridge intergenerational gaps promoting a connected society that could ultimately lead to healthier lifestyles.

Why is the design necessary?

Bringing people together and bridging the gaps between the lives of people from different generations can help to address issues such as; healthcare, learning opportunities, loss of skill, loss of memory, understanding of cultural heritage and loss of current museum and heritage projects as well as those within healthcare sectors. In a recent report entitled ‘The Value of Arts and Culture to People and Society’ the Arts Council evidenced that a higher frequency of engagement with arts and culture is generally associated with a higher level of subjective wellbeing and that more research is needed around this theme.

The exhibition boxes are made from plywood and laminate. The boxes feature a plywood and part acrylic clear sliding lid which facilities viewing and storage. The objects contained within the boxes are a combination of collected and handmade pieces. The ‘medals’ are made are augmented with the use of 1950’s – 1970’s medal braid which is used with a reclaimed medal brooch bar.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Rupinder Singh MA Design (Graphics) A smart phone application, to promote the ‘dying’ Indian script - Gurumukhi.

Who is it for?

The target audience is UK born Sikh teenagers. It can be widened to anybody who wants to know more about the script.

Applications can be designed using various software platforms, but the design of this application is based on html5 css3 framework and could be designed using an online platform ‘sencha’ (http://www.sencha.com).

The prototype was created using html5 and css3.

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Why do this project?

To provide a unique way to promote and spread awareness through a smart phone app to allow the user not only know more about the language but also connect to its written script.

Why is the design necessary?

In todays’ world where English is almost ubiquitous there are languages which are on the verge of extinction.

Gurumukhi is ‘dying’ as a writing script. Designing this solution to make people realise and celebrate the true value of a language is necessary. The application designed for this project adds true value in daily life and helps people (re)connect with their native language.

Christi Lin MA Design (Graphics) Juicy: an interactive toy pastime for young children. The designed outcome

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

an e-storybook and a play-pack backing sheet.

Who is it for?

The audience is urban children from 5 to 7 years old,

Why do this project?

The product allows children to use tablets and paper together to create and record images. Through creation children become an active part in storytelling when they read the storybook using a tablet. The storybook is not a ‘normal’ book as it gives only a part of a story to children, the children then need build on the cues given by drawing, handcrafting another part of the story onto the provided backing sheet. My product pack includes a lot of different tools and materials to support the creative process.

Why is the design necessary?

The design brings a number of opportunities for game playing whilst at the same time improving children’s expression and creativity. The design helps increase children’s ability to anticipate future developments and comprehension skills.

The product is made from paper, card and various small plastic components. The website and handbook use current production techniques.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Jonny Lu MA Design (Graphics)

What does the product do?

The project includes a new brand and a mutual information exchange free website that helps Chinese students access useful information about study and living in the UK. It enables users to create and share

Why is the design necessary?

Research shows that it is very important to provide international students with relevant an timely information about studying abroad early on in the networking experience and revolutionise the way Chinese students abroad get information, connect and communicate.

The brand and website are completed using Adobe Illustrator. Website promotional demo video element design by Adobe Illustrator, and produced used After and subtitles. Posters and manuals design using Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Who is it for?

My audience are Chinese students who wish to study or are already studying in the UK.

Christopher Barr MA Design (Product)

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Who is it for?

Each individual jug has the potential to meet a wide range of different tastes and styles. So, by providing a variation of different handles this project accesses, not

emotional value into a larger area of today’s consumer market. While not only targeting a wide variety of consumers, this project aims to start a conversation between contemporary design professionals.

Why do this project? responsibility to not only design beautiful, functional things but to question potential issues with current trends and methods of production.

an interchangeable handle system these faceted water jugs do just that. A central part of this project is consideration of the interaction between consumer and product. By designing for an increased level of interaction we can establish stronger, more meaningful bonds between the user and their product. Pair this with designing for social situations and we further increase the meaning of attachment therefore reducing the user’s disposal tendencies and ultimately increasing the emotional lifespan of the product.

Why is the design necessary?

The necessity of projects such as this becomes obvious when we consider the impact that production and disposal of products has on future environmental stability. Raising important questions regarding product longevity and providing insight into alternative methods of production will assist the development of design towards a more sustainable future.

A number of materials and processes have been used throughout, all bringing their own unique qualities to with vacuum cast resin and wooden handles. However, processes including investment casting, silicone moulding and 3D printing, have all contributed to the development and production of these seemingly simple porcelain jugs.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Shuni Li MA Design (Graphics)

The book design takes the form of traditional Chinese living an increasingly accelerated pace of life and experiencing growing pressure of work. The book aims to encourage the pursuit of a relaxed way of reading in a social environment.

Why do this project?

Most picture books are designed for children. This literary works together with visual arts to breaking the traditional picture book mold. My aim is to provide a picture book of literature and visual art for my target audience to allow them to relax and socialise.

space and signature stamp. Mainly using drawings to expression content and Calligraphy font for text recording. Using the traditional size of the historic Chinese scroll ratio and modern design software and concepts of book layout I hope to have created a product which is both traditional and contemporary.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Who is it for?

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Du Bingqing MA Design (Jewellery and Metalwork)

Who is it for?

Galleries, collectors and jewellery buyers.

What does the product do?

This project explores Chinese identity thorough the incorporation of aspects of Chinese symbolism in jewellery designing and making.

Why is the design necessary?

To help Chinese jewellery users gain a better understanding of their own culture whilst increasing a sense of belonging.

Handmade using various materials including bamboo, silver, silk and thread.

Celebrate: (necklace)

Twins: (brooch)

This necklace has two parts. The one is made of ten bamboo joints which have a Chinese firecracker’s shape. The other is made of five bamboo joints, and each of them likes little Chinese lantern. The Chinese firecracker and lantern are both used for celebrations. And the knot is moveable, so the wearers can choose their own style. This piece wishes people could be successful in their life.

The second piece is a brooch named ‘twins’. It can be a set with the necklace

Michelle McKeon MA Design (Packaging) A series of food packs that respond to the brief: challenging ‘convenience’. using sustainable methods

value commodity and proximity and have little time for grocery shopping. The target audience is often visually literate therefore requiring the solution to be dynamic, ‘young’ and casual whilst at the same time functional and accessible.

My packages offer an alternative to existing ready meals: convenience food that is healthy and environmentally friendly and that has the appeal of home cooked food.

Why is the design necessary?

Many people no longer have the time to spend cooking like they once did. Therefore, people increasingly turn to ready meals / convenience food. However this type of not only because of the low quality of the packaging but also because of the low quality of the food.

lime glass which has above average chemical resistance.

greaseproof paper, recycled parcel paper. Paper board offers excellent printing, folding and scoring characteristics making them prime choice for food containers.

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Who is it for?

Young working professionals, couples and singles.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Xiaoyan Huo MA Design (Graphics)

campaign material disseminated using social media

Who is it for?

What does the product do?

The campaign aims to raise awareness of traditional Chinese characters and provide a better understanding of their history.

Why is the design necessary?

To help the younger Chinese generation gain a better understanding of their own culture whilst increasing a sense of belonging.

Various software applications and printing techniques.

The Message

iPad

9:00 AM

100%

iPad

9:00 AM

100%

iPad

9:00 AM

100%

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Robert Bishop MA Design (Graphics) ‘Dysical’: Exploring the consumer’s relationships to music products & the

Who is it for?

What does the product do?

Due to the ubiquity of digital music and the ‘throwaway’ nature of music consumption there is a need to create better experiences for consumers of music products.

‘Dysical’ is a service proposal. It comprises of a smartphone application that offers digital music products and 3D printed artworks that are associated with the products. ‘Dysical’ also includes a fabrication centre (fablab), a building that houses 3D printers, and ‘experience’ rooms in which the user can enjoy higher levels of multimedia content associated with their purchases.

Secondly, my research shows users tend not value digital products in the same way as they do/did physical ones. Due to the fact that digital music products are less tangible and seen to have low production or shipping costs, they are perceived as holding low embodied value. This has contributed aesthetic quality of the product and by strengthening emotional connections between the consumer and product, user should be more willing to pay for music content thus reducing piracy creating more revenue that can be used to fund the provision of improved experiences of music products.

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fans, but equally can be used by anyone with a basic understanding of online socially interactive websites.

Why is the design necessary?

Firstly, my research shows that the quality of artwork that accompanies music products in the current era of digital formats (MP3 etc) is often poor. A low resolution cover image is not considered good enough especially if we consider the possibilities offered to us today via digital technology.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Cecilia Zhao MA Design (Jewellery and Metalwork)

Who is it for?

Individuals and galleries.

Silver, Bamboo, Gilding metal, Copper tube. 22ct Gold

Carving, Soldering, Screw making, PUK Welding, Why is the design necessary?

Many people wear jewellery throughout their daily life, wearer and the viewer to think about and discuss: what is jewellery?; what makes jewellery wearable?; what or who decides the value for jewellery? This body of work aims to stimulate debate around these questions.

and Gilding.

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Arfa Abid Shaikh MA Design (Graphics) ‘PickSmart’ is brand identity that promotes healthy living and lifestyles.

Who is it for?

and health preferences.

What does the project do?

There is a lack of availability of basic grocery items which in terms of proportion size cater for single household members specially students. According to research a high proportion of unused food is sent to waste by UK consumers. Since much food has a short not consumed within the expiry date. By creating a brand which sells items in a compact size helping the consumers to make the choice which suites best their daily consumption needs, a proportion of food sent to waste can be reduced. The brand awareness campaign is designed to encourage consumers to ‘pick’ an option

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

consumers of basic grocery items (bread, meat, cheese, vegetables, fruits, etc.) interested in shopping for basic

Why is the design necessary?

PickSmart provides a sustainable way of living by selling in sizes that help decrease food wastage substantially whilst at the same time PickSmart products are compact in size and feature resealable packaging. The awareness campaign encourages consumers to make wiser choices when purchasing daily life grocery items.

Susan Xu MA Design (Graphics)

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

What is this project?

This animated short is based on traditional Chinese

of Chinese people and China in different historical periods. Animation language is used to explore the relationship between Chinese people’s ideology (spiritual civilization) and Chinese society’s physical form (social environment) through an attempt to reveal China and Chinese culture to the audience.

Who is it for?

Why do this project?

And as an animator, I intend to create an animated short showing traditional Chinese culture, using dynamic forms to translate these traditional artistic elements whilst aiming to give traditional Chinese culture a new ‘development space’. I have used ‘young’ design ways to present ‘ancient’ traditional Chinese arts and culture designers whilst on the other hand, to promote Chinese traditional culture by catching the eye of young viewers.

This project looks at the ancient traditional culture from a new study angle; standing in the position of animator, looking at how traditional culture brings the contemporary animator inspiration.

traditional Chinese culture.

a comprehensive overview of “China” through Chinese people’s life and Chinese society under different historical periods.

Why is this project necessary?

Contemporary Chinese young generation’s recognition of their national culture is gradually decreasing daily.

For British viewers who are not familiar with Chinese Chinese culture and its people.

WACOM / Mac Book Pro / Voice Recorder. Software: Flash / Photoshop / After Effects / Final Cut Pro Final Formats:

A. Project Name WHO I AM

Melissa Montague MA Design (Jewellery and Metalwork) A collection of table centerpieces and condiment vessels.

and is continually growing (Crafts Council, 2010)

What do the objects offer?

These objects offer a combination of overt function, ornament and intrigue. By investigating beyond what appears, you are rewarded with a deeper understanding of the objects and in turn a stronger connection.

Why is the design necessary?

People enjoy owning ‘beautiful’ things. I aspire to make and provide beautiful things for people to experience and share. I believe it to be of real important that objects embody stories of making and provenance; I design and make object that tell stories about where and when they were made.

Metal and wood. The larger vessels are made by tiny vessels are made from found objects (copper plumbing tube) and silver tube hammered to varying degrees. Some have soldered tops or bottoms and some have handles attached. Most of the pieces have undergone chemical oxididising which alters the surface colour. The wooden bases are made from natural ash.

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Who is it for?

Those who appreciate hand crafted/designed objects.

According to the craft council ‘consuming craft’ report in 2010 the overall craft market (active and potential

05 Featured Project Creative Yunman.

05 | Featured Project

Yunnan is a province located in South West China with a population of minority groups. Staff from SIA made a research trip to Yunnan to explore the lifestyles of the farming and artisanal communities, photograph the landscape and architecture and to generally immerse themselves in the local culture. staff discussing and envisaging how they might help to build new connections and enterprises based upon the unique arts and crafts kept alive within the indigenous ethnic communities.

The MA Design Programme welcomes students from many different countries including China, Nigeria, Spain, Holland, Denmark, India and the Czech Republic. During the Creative Yunnan project Chinese students led discussions and were able to add further understanding to the design problem. For the UK and European students, looking at different cultures helped them to understand more about their own cultures. It is often the case that we take things for granted – something thoughtful designers clearly should not things differently making it possible for them to take a fresh look at their own environment.

Staff: Steve Bort, Glyn Hawley, Roger Bateman, Mark Fisher

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06 Negotiated Project

Research Centre, research active teaching staff, the commercial consulting

Netcomposites – Project: Exploring biodegradable composite plastics.

Design Futures (Packaging) – Project: Exploring ‘Fibre Form’

BillerudKorsnäs Art & Design Research Centre – Projects: Virtual Prosthetics, Integrated Medical Imaging, Infant Ventilation.

Maria Hanson (Reader in Design) – Project: What’s in my stuff?

Heritage – Museum Interaction.

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

During the MA all students have the opportunity to negotiate the type of project work they undertake. In the ‘Negotiated Project’ module students focus on advanced level professional practice activity via ‘live’ research and practice based projects. These projects are often undertaken in conjunction with user communities, international and regional business, 3rd sector, institutions and

07 Contact Programme leader:

2013-14 MA Design teaching staff:

Roger Bateman r.bateman@shu.ac.uk

Roger Bateman

08 | Contact

http://www.shu.ac.uk

City Campus Howard Street S1 1WB Tel: Email: enquiries@shu.ac.uk

Designed by Jack Fairhurst jsfairhurst@hotmail.co.uk www.behance.net/jsfgraphicdesign

Maria Hanson Julia Keyte Glyn Hawley Steve Bort Richard Evans Professor Paul Atkinson Sally Billau Bob Barber James Bordwell Julie Turnbull Dr Nicola Wood

Visiting staff: Professor Paul Chamberlain Heath Reed John Kirkby Mark Phllips Dr Alistair Yoxhall Duncan Ray Dr Helena Sustar Professor Danielle Petrelli

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

04 | Work by Selected Graduates

Roger Bateman

r.bateman@shu.ac.uk www.shu.ac.uk