Creative Thinking

SCQF Level 5/6

This course is optional

What will you study in this course?

Learning outcomes:

Use both primary and secondary research to explore a problem - Make effective use of a variety of research methods and draw conclusions from the outcomes.
Propose creative ideas based upon the research conducted - propose imaginative and challenging creative concepts informed by research outcomes.
Test and improve initial ideas - compare, contrast and develop solutions, utilising user testing and iteration to inform decisions.
Clearly and creatively communicate and evaluate ideas - independently select and utilise appropriate media to articulate ideas and present critical reflection.
Demonstrate creative bravery in the evaluation of independent work - consider, identify and articulate the socio-cultural context, impact and potential of outcomes.

The learning outcomes above align to the headings of: Research, Concepts, Fail and Fix, Communicating ideas and Critical thinking. Examples of projects include:

- Thoughts become things – Create a Hospital, School, Music Venue or Workplace. An experiential project about the built environment from multi-disciplinary creative studio Acrylicize.
- Campaign for Kindness - Studio LR asks students to create an advertising campaign using empathy
- Van of Dreams - Your community has been given a campervan, what should they do with it? A project showing how to create a product, service or experience for a specific user group.
- Circular Brand - Ellen MacArthur Foundation and Teemill challenge students to create a fashion brand and sell their own products in the circular economy.

Where does this course lead to?

All students entering the course should be studying National 5 English (Creative Thinking SCQF Level 5) or Higher English (Creative Thinking SCQF Level 6) (or equivalent ESOL qualification). This is required to support the critical thinking element of the course.

Successful completion of a Level 5 award will allow for progression to a Level 6 Award.

Successful completion of a Level 6 award will be listed as a preferred requirement for all Design courses at Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh college and we expect other FE and HE institutions to follow.

Course methodology

This brand new course celebrates the importance of creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking; metaskills that will be required of a future workforce. It carries 24 SCQF credit points and is undertaken across a delivery model of a notional 240 learning hours. It is the result of a collaboration between employers, creative agencies, teachers, lecturers and students who came together as a group to form Daydream Believers. This award-winning collaborative effort has resulted in the website daydreambelievers.co.uk and includes resources by contributors such as LEGO, Whitespace, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Amazerealise, Skyscanner, D&AD, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh College and many more.

Assessment in this course

Formative Feedback - Using a physical rubber stamp directly onto sketch books to create a framework constructively aligned to the 5 elements of the creative process. We indicate how the student is doing on each axis, A is the outer dot and D is the middle. STAMP iT© shows a literal and physical commitment to formative assessment and encourages students to focus on learning the process rather than polishing the outcome.

Summative Feedback - Using a digital assessment App for summative feedback SWIPE iT© uses scroll bars to mark the same 5 elements of the creative process which are constructively aligned to the Learning Outcomes. Averages and grades are calculated in real time and interactive grade descriptors from the course assessment rubric are displayed. This allows informed and efficient marking, trusting educators to be the most informed markers of their student’s work.

Additional Information

Students will be expected to work independently for many aspects of the course and will be highly self-motivated. Independent research and concept development will not only take place in the classroom.

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