Module: PUB4002-20 Create Lab

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Katharine Reeve

Module Tutor Contact Details: k.reeve@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This innovative, interdisciplinary module is the start of your journey towards becoming a creative producer, maker or curator of culture, ideas and stories. It will take you out of your comfort zone by exposing you to new creative practices and ideas, a range of traditional and new technologies, collaboration, experimentation and learning from failure. This will help you gradually build confidence in your abilities and strengths over a year. You will be encouraged to transform your approach to your own creative work, inviting you to think big, be independent, be inspired – to become a change-agent and be ready to make a difference to the world around you.

The creative industries such as publishing, TV, games and animation need highly-creative producers who understand the zeitgeist and can interpret this in the form of new product development using new technology. Those working in these industries need to understand how to identify, develop and manage talent, shape and make engaging content, and build audiences. Digital technology offers producers the chance to develop entirely new creative forms and means of communicating with audiences.

In the future you will have to navigate an increasingly fragmented, fast-changing world of work; the result of globalisation and continuing technological development. We want to help you develop the knowledge, skills, resilience, and attitude that will enable you to make the most of the opportunities ahead.

How does it work?

The module offers access to digital-making facilities, space for experimentation and risk-taking, and the pro-active development of graduate attributes, which will support you in your university learning across the three years and beyond.

Experiential learning and immersive whole-day challenges

Interdisciplinary projects

Personalised guidance and development

Foundational digital resources

(See below for detail)

2. Outline syllabus:

Agile working across multiplatform production: digital, print, hand-made and video production

Interdisciplinary content making across virtual and physical space

Foundational digital skills

Ideas development process: creative problem-solving and experimentation

Collaborative and independent working

Project management

Personal research: sources of ideas and inspiration

3. Teaching and learning activities:

This module is taught through immersive whole-day challenges and tutor-guided independent work, with support from specialist technical demonstrators from a range of subjects in addition to Publishing, such as Film and TV and Creative Computing. A studio-based approach means that your work will receive ongoing tutor and peer feedback.

1. Experiential learning and immersive whole-day challenges: The lively and varied challenges are only revealed on the day and are fully supported with detailed briefing packs and staff on hand to guide you in your work. Over the course of the year, you will learn how to respond to new challenges, ‘think on your feet’, take creative risks, and show initiative – and gain confidence in your abilities.

2. Interdisciplinary projects: The challenge days result from collaboration among staff and students in the form of co-created activities across subject areas, with a focus on Publishing, Film and TV and Creative Computing. These include subjects such as Art and Design History, Criminology, Food and Nutrition, Psychology, and Business and Management.

3. Personalised guidance: Tutor-guided small group or individual tutorials will support you in discovering a diverse range of sources of inspiration and in deepening your knowledge of your areas of interest.

4. Digital resources: Digital-making workshops (e.g. curated Lynda.com series available online throughout the year) including, for instance, Photoshop, digital storytelling and social media, basic video-editing for hand-held devices.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Personal investigation summary (1,000 words)

• % Weighting: 25%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Project summaries and critical reflection

• % Weighting: 75%