Dissertations

Pro-Design: Digital Media Pack for Professional Graphic Designers

Anita Heavey — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 07:40:10 PST

The importance of developing a comprehensive digital design presence as well a as digital business strategy has become a necessity for graphic design practitioners. In this report I review how this could be achieved and document the development of a coherent digital presence that has a more inclusive approach to client/designer communication and that better suits the needs of a graphic designer in industry.

This document provides a detailed overview of my research and development for this MA Project. It sets down the course of action and the directions that the project took and identifies the aims and objectives I hoped to fulfil during the development of the project. It documents the process that I followed to achieve this including research, analysis and development, realisation, presentation and reflection. It also provides a description of the projects deliverables and the relevant functionality and content.

Creativity and Structure in Irish Architectural Practices: an Exploration of the Symbiotic Relationship between Structure and Creativity in Irish Architectural Practices with International Offices

Aine Rooney — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 04:21:09 PST

This enquiry is concerned with exploring creativity within Irish architectural practices with overseas offices. Specifically, the thesis seeks to determine how strategic choices in relation to structure can deliver competitive advantage through increased organisational creativity. In gathering data and reviewing the findings from the research, the study ultimately seeks to develop recommendations for best practice guidelines for optimal organisational structure for Irish architectural practices which supports creativity. In doing so it seeks to solve a real world problem, significantly contributing to professional practice in the area. The current status of the sector in Ireland is presented in order to outline the context in which Irish architectural practices are operating. The relevance and value of structure and strategy within an organisation is explored. The strategic choices companies make in order to secure competitive advantage and how they align their organisational creativity to best deliver new products or services is examined. This is achieved drawing on best practice and current theories explored in the literature. The research approach taken to this study is outlined in order to verify its credibility, ensure the reliability of the approach, transparency of methods, and minimise bias. Validation of the chosen method of interview is made given the nature of the knowledge being sought. The interview process is broken down into several stages. The key points of the primary data are presented. The meaning of the primary data is uncovered by interpreting the interview transcripts and together with the literature. Assertions about what phenomenon can be presented are outlined in the conclusions which can be drawn and recommendations made for best practice guidelines. The guidelines presented offer benefits to commercially driven architectural practices in supporting creativity within their organisations for competitive advantage. The recommendations outlined in the study can assist architectural practices driven by innovation and creativity by outlining the benefits of taking a more strategic approach organisational structure without impeding creativity. Potential avenues for further research are also outlined.

What is the Optimal Structure for Organisations Representing Design and Designers on the Island of Ireland?

Barry Sheehan — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:10:53 PDT

The research question addresses the issue of the structure of organisations that represent the interests of design and designers on the island of Ireland. The role of designers in Ireland is seen by society as marginal, rather than one central to the economic, social, and cultural well being of the island and those who live on it. This problem is exacerbated, as the organisational structures of those who play a key part are both confused and confusing. The answer to the question of what is an optimal structure lies in the literature that has been written on the subject and the experiences of the people who have played a key role in design organisations both on the island of Ireland and abroad. The significant literature was reviewed and ten key people were interviewed as part of this dissertation. The dissertation ends with conclusions and recommendations. These, if adopted, will help designers make better use of their collective resources, enabling them to increase the awareness of the importance of the role that design plays on the island. The island of Ireland is celebrated for its creative skills; the arts, literature and music. All are world renowned. Design is a creative activity. So why is Irish design not celebrated widely? The dissertation concludes that part of the answer lies in the fragmentation and dispersion of Irish designers, their lack of unity and their lack of a common voice. With no voice, the interests of Irish design and its designers are simply not being listened to; either on the island, throughout Europe, or internationally. The dissertation recommends that the representation of designers should be seen as separate to the representation of design. Design promotion can be undertaken on an allisland basis, whilst design support should be undertaken locally. If each of these activities is clearly defined and delivered, then we can move toward the creation of a design council. This has been done successfully in Norway, a country that has been striving to reduce its economic dependence on oil. Norway has invested heavily in design support and promotion for over ten years with significant results. This island has lessons to learn from Norway. The head of the Norwegian Design Council, Jan R. Stavik was interviewed as the final piece of this dissertation.