ASSESSMENT

Product Design and the School of Design at Edinburgh College of Art has a visionary assessment structure that actively supports experimentation, research and play by placing all assessments at the close of each academic year.

Supporting this open (risk encouraging) marking structure, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year tutorial sessions for everyone introduce written (and verbal) individual short-term targets/suggestions for progressing work to the next session or presentation.

The 4th years and Masters students have separate submission guides that are adhered to at critical moments through out the year. Submission comprises work from projects, supporting studies and Visitor led Design Workshops (all ideal for producing folio pieces).

Students also constantly document, keep (if only electronically) and have to hand all of their work ready for discussion during assessment. Product Design related competitions are promoted throughout the year. These are good exercises and winning is always a bonus but this type of competition is not part of the taught programme as they conform to a ‘Blind Pitch’ form of attaining work that is more appropriate for Architects and Graphic Designers.