TGMCDPT: Reflective Practice (Typeface Design)

Module code: TGMCDPT

Module provider: Typography; School of Arts and Comm Design

Credits: 100

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1 / 2

Module convenor: Professor Gerry Leonidas , email: g.leonidas@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 3 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to reflective practice in selected areas of communication design, and enables the development of high levels of competence in the respective areas of design practice. Students work on a series of projects, selected in consultation with teaching staff, to develop good working methodologies and independent learning skills. The module aims to develop thinking in the practice of a range of areas in communication design. It focuses on systematic and thorough approaches to researching and realising practical outputs at a high level of competence, and equips students with the skills to respond to design briefs with an understanding of the context in terms of design discourse, past practice, and technological constraints. In particular, it helps to form an understanding of the demands of professional practice. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Analyse, evaluate, and respond to the problem/s posed by a practical brief, showing independent initiative and a willingness to try alternative approaches. 
2. Demonstrate practical working methods appropriate to a specified task and set of resources, including both individual and team working, presentations of design proposals and effective project management. 
3. Show evidence, in practical work, of a sensitivity to the needs of users and readers, with an ability to utilise genre attributes and understand evaluation methods. 
4. Demonstrate craft skills and technical competence in practical work and an understanding of technical issues for production. 
5. Present practical work so that it communicates clearly and effectively, supported by documentary evidence of the development of reflective design thinking. 
6. Draw on broad historical, theoretical and technical perspectives in specified areas of Communication Design. 

Module content

Students work through a range of practical workshops and briefs: some are common across the cohort, and some align with each pathway offered by the Department. The first half of Semester 1 comprises common workshops across the programme cohort. During that period, and in consultation with staff, students select a set of pathway-targeted content to undertake from the second half of Semester 1 and through Semester 2. The module situates practical work within the context of a rapidly evolving technological environment in communication design, and with sensitivity to the patterns of development in the field in different geographic areas. Students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the impact of technology, and changes in social conditions globally, and integrate an awareness of evolving issues of inclusion and diversity in their work. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching takes place in a series of weekly tutorials, demonstrations, and critiques which run throughout both Semesters. Regular and visiting members of staff and invited lecturers or practitioners contribute with workshops or studio sessions on specific topics, to guide students to develop relevant skills. The sessions are informal, and facilitate group discussion of practical work. Feedback is given both on a one-to-one basis and in plenary sessions, such as group critiques. Students are encouraged to be reflective about their own work, both in private through work files, and in public during tutorial meetings and group crits. The