First draft for the student design competition

After Christmas, I will be running a design compeition for students, with big prizes (see below) and an exciting awards ceremony. This is the first draft of the brief for the competition. If you are interested, or have any feedback, please leave a comment at the end of this article. Thanks.

Learning is Design 2012, a design competition for students (Spring term 2012) brief:

Create a fully documented “design proposal” for a an innovative new product, service, technique, technology or community. The design must in some way enhance teaching and/or learning in higher education (taking Warwick as the principal context, but applicable more widely). For example, you could design a web application that helps with essay writing. Or alternatively, you could design a community platform that encourages good practice in peer-to-peer students support. Or perhaps you might redesign the lecture theatre, a department, a faculty or the entire university!

In the proposal, you must explain:

• the aim of the proposed design;
• who it will benefit;
• what the benefits will be;
• how it will work;
• how it could be implemented (a plan, with realistic economic and personal costs);
• how it would be sustained over a reasonable life span.
  

You must also demonstrate (with evidence) that:

• it will significantly enhance teaching and/or learning;
• it will be adopted by students, teachers, administrators (where appropriate);
• that you have engaged with your target “audience” and built a community of support for your proposal;
• it is feasible.

Finally, you must excite the imaginations of the judges (slightly jaded HE and design professionals)!

There are four prizes:

Best overall design - £500
Best participatory design event or campaign (live or online) - £500
Best design story (e.g. a realistic narrative about an end user and how the design will change their lives) - £100
Best individual contribution – a placement opportunity with a leading regional media company.

Support:

You have full access to the facilities and support that are available from the IATL Media Suite (iMacs, video cameras, etc). We will also provide training workshops in design methods and multimedia production.

Robert O'Toole : 26 Oct 2011 12:19 |  Tags: Ideation |  Comments (5) |  Report a problem