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DES211

Environment and Sustainable Development

This course provides an overview of various aspects related to design. It explores fundamental design principles, elements, and processes. The course covers topics such as visual communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking in design. Students will learn about different design disciplines and their applications. The course also emphasizes the importance of user-centered design and ethical considerations in design practices. It aims to equip students with a foundational understanding of design concepts and methodologies.

About this course

Difficulty
Beginner
Study hours
30 hours
Maths
None
Content
Theoretical, practical, case study, problem solving
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of DES211, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 1

What you should be able to do

  1. Understand fundamental design principles and elements.
  2. Apply color theory and typography effectively in design projects.
  3. Follow a structured design process from ideation to prototyping.
  4. Identify and analyze different design disciplines.
  5. Create user-centered designs that meet specific needs.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Graphic Designer
  • Web Designer
  • Product Designer
  • Interior Designer
  • Fashion Designer
  • Animator
Where it is applied
  • Advertising
  • Web Development
  • Manufacturing
  • Architecture
  • Fashion
  • Entertainment

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Introduction to Design

    Unit 3: Color Theory

    Color theory involves understanding complex color models and their psychological impacts, requiring abstract thinking and practical application.

  • Module 2: Design Disciplines

    Unit 2: Web Design

    Web design requires understanding of both design principles and technical aspects of web development, including responsive design and user experience.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 28 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction to Design
    • Unit 1: Overview · 2 hours

      Read about the basic elements of design.. Identify examples of these elements in everyday objects.. Practice sketching simple designs incorporating these elements..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction to Design
    • Unit 2: Design Principles · 2 hours

      Study the principles of balance, contrast, and hierarchy.. Analyze how these principles are used in graphic design examples.. Create a visual composition demonstrating these principles..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction to Design
    • Unit 3: Color Theory · 2 hours

      Explore different color theories and their psychological effects.. Experiment with color palettes for various design projects.. Learn about color accessibility and contrast ratios..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction to Design
    • Unit 4: Typography · 2 hours

      Understand the importance of typography in design.. Learn about different font classifications and their uses.. Practice pairing fonts for readability and visual appeal..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Introduction to Design
    • Unit 5: Design Process · 2 hours

      Learn about the design process from ideation to prototyping.. Understand the importance of user feedback in the design cycle.. Practice iterative design through a small project..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Design Disciplines
    • Unit 1: Graphic Design Basics · 2 hours

      Explore the basics of graphic design.. Learn about layout, composition, and visual hierarchy.. Analyze effective graphic design examples..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Design Disciplines
    • Unit 2: Web Design · 2 hours

      Understand the principles of web design.. Learn about responsive design and user experience (UX).. Explore website wireframing and prototyping tools..

  8. Week 8Module 2: Design Disciplines
    • Unit 3: Product Design · 2 hours

      Learn about the fundamentals of product design.. Understand the product development process.. Explore materials, manufacturing, and ergonomics..

  9. Week 9Module 2: Design Disciplines
    • Unit 4: Interior Design · 2 hours

      Explore the basics of interior design.. Learn about space planning, color schemes, and materials.. Analyze interior design styles and trends..

  10. Week 10Module 2: Design Disciplines
    • Unit 5: Fashion Design · 2 hours

      Understand the principles of fashion design.. Learn about textiles, pattern making, and garment construction.. Explore fashion design history and trends..

  11. Week 11Module 2: Design Disciplines
    • Unit 6: Animation and Motion Graphics · 2 hours

      Explore the basics of animation and motion graphics.. Learn about keyframing, tweening, and motion design principles.. Experiment with animation software and techniques..

  12. Week 12Module 1: Introduction to Design
    • Module 1 Review · 3 hours

      Review all the design principles and elements covered in Module 1.. Practice applying these principles in various design scenarios.. Prepare for the tutor-marked assignments..

  13. Week 13Module 2: Design Disciplines
    • Module 2 Review · 3 hours

      Review all the design disciplines covered in Module 2.. Analyze real-world examples of each discipline.. Prepare for the final examination..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review design principles and elements from Module 1, focusing on practical applications.
  • Create a color palette guide and practice using different color schemes.
  • Study typography examples and analyze font pairings for readability.
  • Practice sketching and prototyping design ideas for different scenarios.
  • Review case studies of successful designs in various disciplines from Module 2.
  • Create a portfolio of your design projects to showcase your skills.

Questions students ask about this course

What is DES211 about?

This course provides an overview of various aspects related to design. It explores fundamental design principles, elements, and processes. The course covers topics such as visual communication, problem-solving, and creative thinking in design. Students will learn about different design disciplines and their applications. The course also emphasizes the importance of user-centered design and ethical considerations in design practices. It aims to equip students with a foundational understanding of design concepts and methodologies.

How many units does DES211 have?

DES211, Environment and Sustainable Development, has 1 unit across 1 module, over 12 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is DES211?

DES211 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Social Sciences.

Is DES211 hard?

DES211 is rated beginner level, with no mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical, case study and problem solving work, and it has a practical component.

How long does DES211 take to study?

About 30 hours of study, spread across its 1 units.

How is DES211 assessed?

DES211 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with DES211?

Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Product Designer, Interior Designer, Fashion Designer and Animator.

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