Course Title: Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2020
Course Code: GRAP5371C
Course Title: Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: Brunswick Campus
Program: C6152 - Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design
Course Contact: Alistair Briggs
Course Contact Phone: +61 9925 9988
Course Contact Email: alistair.briggs@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Leigh Milward
Nominal Hours: 65
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None required.
Course Description
In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to identify the range and scope of a professional design brief. You will negotiate to establish the requirements, expectations, terms and conditions of the brief and present the outcome to the stakeholders.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
BSBDES502 Establish, negotiate and refine a design brief |
Element: |
1 Establish design requirements |
Performance Criteria: |
■■ Identify and make appropriate contact with relevant stakeholders for the design project, in addition to the client ■■ Identify and source information and references relevant to the design project ■■Undertake critical analysis of sources and extract key information to inform the design project ■■Liaise with client and other key stakeholders to determine overall objectives and parameters for the design project ■■Pro-actively seek, review and act upon information needed to inform constructive communication with client ■■Build trust and respect between self and client through effective use of communication skills and demonstration of professional integrity |
Element: |
2 Develop and refine design brief |
Performance Criteria: |
■■Develop concepts and ideas for inclusion in design brief that take account of overall objectives and parameters ■■Undertake own analysis of concept and challenge ideas and approaches taken to ensure responsiveness to project needs ■■Present ideas in an appropriate format/medium and seek feedback from key stakeholders ■■Use effective communication techniques to generate discussion, debate and critical analysis ■■Re-evaluate and refine options based on own analysis and discourse with others ■■Establish and agree on final nature and scope of design brief with client and accurately document details |
Element: |
3 Negotiate terms and conditions |
Performance Criteria: |
■■Negotiate and agree terms and conditions of the brief in accordance with relevant organisational and professional standards ■■Clarify, agree and document roles and responsibilities of those involved in the project ■■Confirm agreements in writing in accordance with organisational requirements ■■ Identify the need for and seek specialist advice in developing, formal agreements or contracts where appropriate |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a studio, workshop or classroom using industry standard tools and resources. You will complete exercises and industry style projects. You will also be required to undertake independent study.
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Teaching Schedule
1 |
Set-up In this week’s session, there will be consultations to see if you have any eligible work, places where you might be able to get volunteer work or you might have a specific lead you can follow up. You will have a go at filling out a creative brief, or at least get to know what kind of information goes in there. During class, you can sign up for the RMIT Freelancing Fundamentals short course. |
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2 |
Briefs In this module, you will look at using a creative brief (aka reverse brief) to extract specifications and requirements. This is a really good way to make it clear for yourself, and can also be used with a client to confirm all the requirements. That is why it is also known as a reverse brief – you send the information back to the client to confirm what is needed, when, the standard, etc. |
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3 |
Job Quotes In this module you will create a job quote and look at consulting other stakeholders. Stakeholders are others who have an interest or part in the project. For example, if you were designing outdoor signage, you might have to contact a local council about their guidelines. Or, if you are doing a print job, you might need to talk to the press operator. Even in a job without these concerns, it’s good if you can show your work to others to improve the quality. A job quote is an estimate of costs, and a contract between the designer and the client. It is a legal document. There are Australian standards for what should be in a job quote. For example, it must have your ABN and be a detailed breakdown. |
Assessment Task 1: Establish and Refine |
4 |
Comps In this module, you will put together a proposal for the design direction – a design comp. This is also known as a concept or design proposal. Present ideas for feedback. Participate in a discussion and show what you are intending to send off. Get peer feedback on spelling, grammar and tone. In the first file to go to the client, summarise the design direction/s and key considerations you are taking into account, using language that a non- designer would understand. Meet the deadline for showing proposals for design direction. |
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5 |
Respond In today’s session, you will respond to the client feedback, have a look at the feedback others were given and finalise the creative brief, noting any changes or new understanding based on the feedback. Compare your work with your peers and the feedback from the client, then put together a final creative brief. |
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6 |
Implement This session you will be deep in production mode. The aim is to work to your project plan and be in production of deliverables with technical specifications. Periodically, you will need to discuss and show your work. During this session there will be one-on-one consultations on required recordkeeping. |
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7 |
Prepare files Finalise the production of deliverables, ready to submit to the client by the deadline. There will be a review to ensure you can meet the brief’s requirements and there isn’t anything you missed. |
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8 |
Finalise and Evaluate Negotiate and agree terms and conditions of brief in accordance with relevant organisational and professional standards. Confirm agreements in writing in accordance with organisational requirements. Supply an itemised tax invoice. This should include terms and conditions (T&C) of payment. This description should include interactions you had with the client and others (i.e. peers). Explain it in a way that a non-expert could understand. Evaluate your outcome and consider your development as a designer and the development of your business practice (or as someone who works with others). Discuss this with peers, and use your notes to form your self-evaluation. Make contact with Client 2. |
Assessment Task 1: Confirm and Deliver |
9 |
Interpret the brief Put together a comprehensive brief for the second project. Discuss the brief with others during studio time. Confirm the differences and appropriate variations. For example, there are a range of design standards and approaches that might fall within the acceptable range. As part of the brief, create a list of all the stakeholders in this project, and explain what their responsibilities are. Verbally confer with your peers and compare answers. Adjust if necessary – it’s OK if you all have the same answer. Include the list in your documentation for this assignment. In your peer review, compare and contrast the differences between your own brief and theirs. For example, the peer might have considered different factors. Re-write the brief and order the information in a meaningful way. |
Assessment Task 1: Evaluation |
10 |
Design comp 2 This session will dedicated to making a design comp for the second client project. Get peer feedback on spelling, grammar and tone. In the first file to go to the client, summarise the design direction/s and key considerations you are taking into account, using language that a non- designer would understand. Meet the deadline for showing proposals for design direction. Experiment with different approaches to generating design solutions. Record this in your documentation. |
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11 |
Finalise approach Confirm the differences and appropriate variations. For example, there are a range of design standards and approaches that might fall within the acceptable range. Use a range of collaborative techniques to clarify and refine ideas and negotiate agreeable outcomes with others. You will do this by participating in the scheduled and unscheduled reviews. |
Assessment Task 2: Establish and Refine |
12 |
Prepare for delivery and review. Identify a critical piece of writing (e.g. book or article) relevant to the design job. Summarise how this can challenge an expected approach, and how you have incorporated this into your own approach at least once. Finalise the design direction and confirm with the client. |
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13 |
Production In this session, there will be individual meetings during this session to demonstrate recordkeeping. Otherwise, this session will be dedicated to production and recording necessary information to fulfill recordkeeping obligations. |
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14 |
Finalise Finalise the production of deliverables, ready to submit to the client by the deadline. Prepare a template for a tax invoice, or find a suitable one. Negotiate and agree terms and conditions of brief in accordance with relevant organisational and professional standards. Confirm agreements in writing in accordance with organisational requirements. Supply a simulated itemised tax invoice. This should include terms and conditions (T&C) of payment. |
Assessment Task 2: Confirm and Deliver |
15 |
Evaluate Summarise the design process for this assignment. This description should include interactions you had with the client and others (i.e. peers). Explain it in a way that a non-expert could understand. Evaluate your outcome and consider your development as a designer and the development of your business practice (or as someone who works with others). Discuss this with peers, and use your notes to form your self-evaluation. |
Assessment Task 2: Evaluation |
16 |
Assessment week: No scheduled activities for this course, but this is the final week of the semester and last opportunity to re-submit work that has been marked as Not Yet Satisfactory. Instead of a class, there will be individual appointments scheduled with students. |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Graphic Communications Open Textbook Collective, 2015. Graphic design and print production fundamentals, BC Open Textbook Project. |
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Hannam, B 2012. Practice makes perfect a graphic design student's guide to freelance, Wiley. |
Other Resources
There are no compulsory prescribed texts in this course. This course has recommended books listed under ‘References’
You are advised to look at the Learning Hub at myRMIT site for ongoing updated information. A range of learning resources and references are provided throughout the year.
You will require a personal storage device and tools as outlined in tool kit list.
RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and access to specialised facilities and relevant software. You will also have access to the library resources.
Amongst the library’s electronic resources is the ability to access Lynda.com for online tutorials and lessons. You may be given these tutorials (and other resources) to supplement your classroom learning. The University Library has extensive resources for Design students. The Library has produced a subject guide that includes quality online and print resources for your studies.
http://rmit.libguides.com/graphicartanddesign
The Library provides guides on academic referencing http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/referencing and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarian http://www.rmit.edu.au/library/librarians/dsc
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment tasks will require you demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills through practical projects and/or exercises.
The assessment tasks are:
Learning exercises
Major project/s incorporating design and print outcomes
Research reports and/or presentations
An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.
Assessment Tasks
You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities. Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.
Assessment tasks in this course are:
Project 1: Client 1
Assessment Task 1: Establish and Refine due in Week 3
Assessment Task 1: Confirm and Deliver due in week 8.
Assessment Task 1: Evaluation due in Week 9.
Collaborate with a client and stakeholders to refine the requirements of a brief. Deliver files to agreed specifications. Document and assess interactions. Organise to a professional standard. Show your knowledge of the design process. Present the evidence. Completing this project allows you to demonstrate- Practical demonstration of skills through the development and finalisation of a design brief.
- Effective collaboration and communication skills to work with others to develop and refine a design brief.
- Knowledge of the design process.
Assessment tasks will receive the following outcomes:
- Satisfactory
- Not Satisfactory/Not Observed
Project 2: Client 2
Assessment Task 2: Establish and Refine due in Week 11
Assessment Task 2: Confirm and Deliver due in Week 14
Assessment Task 2: Evaluation due in Week 15.
Collaborate with the client and others to refine a design brief, deliver files to agreed specifications and present your outcomes. Some aspects of the project management will be covered in BUSM8778C Undertake project work. This will include setting a budget and using project-management tools. The focus is on identifying the brief requirements, agreements and outcomes. An issue you will face is confidentiality agreements and understanding who owns the work. In the documentation, you will show and explain the work and process.
Assessment tasks will receive the following outcomes:
- Satisfactory
- Not Satisfactory/Not Observed
At the completion of the course you will be assessed for competency.
Competency assessment is as follows:
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for Assessment
Assessment Matrix
An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency is available from the course contact person (stated above).
Other Information
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
Feedback - You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT
Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. Student progress policy
Special Consideration Policy, Late Submission & Extensions
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level.
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension.
Pick the following link for details on applying for Special consideration
Any student seeking an extension, should aim at doing so a minimum of 2 days before the deadline. Work submitted late and without an extension at any point will incur late penalties in accordance with university policy.
If you require an extension you must complete an extension form with evidence supporting your application and hand this to your instructor. Further links - Application for extension of time
On Time Submission and Impact of Late Submission
On time submission is an important factor in your assessment. Employability skills are embedded in all courses and these include Planning & Organising and Self-management. For this reason, late work impacts on your competency assessment.
Submissions that are assessed as Not Satisfactory can be re-submitted once and this is only permitted during the period that the competency is scheduled.
Cover Sheet for Submissions
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications. Submission cover sheet
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism - RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity
Credit Transfers and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Recognition of Current Competency (RCC).
RCC applies only if you have previously demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview