Communication Futures Part 1 (DJ32015)

Communication Futures is a module where the past, present and future of communication technology and social media are explored. Through an understanding of historic and contemporary agendas the module will then ask students to consider how technology can improve the way we communicate as designers, to a variety of audiences. The module will also ask students to explore and propose opportunities for communication technologies in the future i.e. how designers can be active in the evolution of social media. Taught content will comprise of lectures, workshops and seminars. The outcome of the module will be a portfolio of written work using three writing styles in preparation for Communication Futures 2.

Assignment 1:

1000 word review that explores an aspect of the history of communication technologies

This essay is a product review on the history of radio broadcasting as a type of communication technology. Using research this essay will critically evaluate how it developed; referencing the complex relationships it had with society during its growth. Radio communications played a prolific role in the progression of communication technologies; radio has always been a way people can communicate, specifically, broadcasting was larger key to its development in societies.

Assignment 2:

- Present the method &result of your social media design challenge through a 15- minute group presentation. (Group assessment)

- Write a 1000 - 2000 word report (using appropriate subsections) which accurately documents and analyses your social media design challenge. (Individual assessment)

The biggest assignment we had was the social media design intervention, we were divided up into groups and we had to research a topic area we were interested in. We then decided ways in which we could intervene and solve the problem by finding an alternative solution. We decided to focus our research into anonymity online and how we could prevent the presence of unconscious bias. We decided as a team to redesign the interface of 'LinkedIn' and make it more visually appealing to creatives who are looking for work.

Assignment 3: Piece of online journalism which discusses one aspect of the future of communication