Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE AUD5221

 
TITLE Process of Creative Design

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Architecture and Urban Design

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit explores systematic creative techniques (lateral thinking, Triz and Conceptual Blending) in practice for generating concepts and ideas in architecture and design. Students will be taught to navigate their thoughts through the medium of imagination between abstract and representation with the aid of creative techniques. Students will be lead to understand the purpose of concept, the function of creativity and creative techniques.

The study-unit will comprise an initial introduction to the background of concepts and creative techniques, and will then proceed with application, on a step-by-step basis, of various design techniques to a specific design problem, with all the design processes documented into a comprehensive presentation for the final assessment.

Study-unit Aims:

The objective of the study-unit is to introduce students to abstract/conceptual thinking and to navigate through design processes with creative techniques.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Understand various levels of imagination and ability to exercise in the design process;
- Comprehend concepts in language/psychology/architecture;
- Choose the right creative tool for appropriate application in the design process.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
- Exercise various degrees of thinking from abstract to representation.
- Control his/her imagination to design, applied to architecture.
- Apply techniques, such as lateral thinking techniques, to foster innovative design.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- De Bono Edward (1970). Lateral Thinking: A textbook of Creativity. Penguin Books.
- Altshuller Genrish, (Altov. H) (1994). And Suddenly the Inventor Appeared: Triz, The theory of Inventive Problem Solving. Technical Innovation Center, Inc.
- JingYao Xu (2007). Form Follow Concept. Dissertation for Master of Arts in Creativity and Innovation. University of Malta.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Seminar & Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Reflective Diary SEM2 Yes 20%
Assignment SEM2 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S Peter Brincat
Jing Yao Xu

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit