Design Research Dissertation

This may contain: three mobile app screens showing different desserts and pastries on the same screen, one with

23.9.2024 - 5.1.2025 / Week 1- 15

Angel Tan Xin Kei / 0356117   

Design Research Dissertation / Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media  


⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚ Instruction ˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆



⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚ Lectures ˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆

Week 2 : Writing a Literature Review

To begin a literature review, we start by searching for pertinent articles in key databases recommended by our instructors. We formulate keywords based on our research questions to enhance our search, prioritizing articles that are highly cited and peer-reviewed.

Evaluating and Selecting Sources
  • We thoroughly review each article to ensure that the abstract aligns with our objectives and that the findings are unbiased, supported by a sufficiently large sample size. We also confirm that the authors are credible scholars.
  • Utilizing reference management software like Mendeley can help us efficiently track our sources.
Structuring the Review
  • We organize our points under various subheadings for easier navigation. Consider using color coding for significant points to aid in memory retention. We should cross-reference our points when writing to maintain coherence. Including only essential quotations is important, and footnotes can be added for additional comments as needed. We also remember to compile both the bibliography and works cited lists. 
Concluding the Review
  • We identify major trends and top contributors in the literature. Noting any gaps in the existing research is crucial, as we assess whether the review merits continuation or if new research directions may be necessary.

Week 3: Methodology
The methodology section is intended to clarify our research approach, justify its choice, and articulate its purpose, with appropriate citations.

Introductory Paragraph/Section
  • We link this section back to the literature review, declare its objective, and provide a roadmap of what will be covered.

Concluding Paragraph
  • We summarize the essential points, underscore the main message, and connect to the forthcoming section on Results and Findings.

Research Design
  • We describe the nature of the study and its relevance to the research question, outlining the framework for data collection.

Data Collection
  • We detail each step of the data collection process, including contextual factors, sample size, and instruments used. Citing relevant sources to validate our choices is important.

Data Analysis
  • We clarify how the data will be organized, developing an analytical strategy informed by the literature review. The analysis process will require continual comparison of data.

Role of the Researcher
  • If applicable, we discuss our involvement in the research, its impact on the study, and the measures taken for reflexivity throughout the research process.

Weeks 4 : Results 

This section should present the key findings, including any statistical analyses and their significance to the study. Citing literature that supports the interpretation of the data's importance is important. The writing in this section should be in the past tense, ensuring all results are paired with previously detailed methodologies. If any results are omitted, their corresponding methods should also be excluded from the methodology section. 

Considering a logical order for presenting the data—whether chronologically or by significance in relation to the research questions—is advisable. Choosing the best format to display results, such as tables, figures, graphs, or text, is vital, with appropriate numbering and labeling. A brief discussion is warranted to assess the quality and reliability of the results without extending into in-depth analysis. 

Week 5 : Discussion

The discussion serves four purposes: 
  • interpreting the results
  • answering the research questions
  • justifying the approach
  • critically evaluating the study

This section should relate back to the results and the literature review, ensuring all topics discussed align with the results presented. Acknowledging the limitations of the research and the implications of the findings for policy and practice should also be included, written in the present tense. 

Starting the discussion by referencing the research questions, analyzing the results within the context of existing literature, and situating them in broader theoretical frameworks is essential. Utilizing mind mapping, outlining, or argumentative structures can help organize thoughts effectively. As one of the longest sections of the dissertation, it is beneficial to subdivide points under distinct subheadings for easier navigation. Comparing findings with relevant literature and elucidating how they connect or differ can demonstrate their relevance to the research questions. Concluding the discussion with a summary of the implications of the findings and highlighting their significance for future research efforts is important. 

Week 6: Conclusion, Introduction & Abstract

Conclusion
  • The conclusion should provide a brief summary of the key findings of the research. It must emphasize the significance of the research for future scholars and practitioners in creative media. Based on this importance, it is essential to present recommendations for future research and practical applications derived from the findings. The final paragraph should effectively wrap up the dissertation.
Introduction
  • The introduction should make full use of the content written in the Design Research Methodology section, with updates as necessary. Its aim is to inform readers about the research topic, summarize the research problem, and clarify the aims of the research. It should avoid including excessive citations.
Abstract
  • The abstract serves as a concise summary of the entire dissertation, aiming to clearly report the aims and outcomes of the research so that readers know precisely what the dissertation entails. Typically, it should be around 150-300 words.
Table of Contents
  • The table of contents should include all relevant headings and subheadings.
Acknowledgements
  • This section is used to thank individuals or groups who contributed to the completion of the dissertation.
Appendices
  • Only relevant evidence should be included in the appendices (which may include links). It is important to ensure that the numbering is accurate in both the dissertation and the appendices list. Thoroughly checking for typing and grammatical errors is also crucial before submission.

Week 7: Visual Design Final Dissertation  
Preparation for design process
  • Read the copy of writing to understand the topic to design 
  • Examine the images
  • Prepare the template through sketching 
Some elements such as pagination, cover design and writing sections would need to be editing or changed to match the layout of the design.

The design should be unique and have an individual treatment, the layout should be intuitive and should showcase the points written in the dissertation. 

Determine the size of the paper before determining the design layout.There are various binding available, such as saddle stitch, perfect bound, spiral and wire-o. It's good to keep in mind of the binding choice if designing for printing publication. 

Week 11: Dissertation into an Arcticle

  • Journal article is much shorter than dissertation, only selected points and information are included in an article than in a dissertation. 
  • Extract certain information from dissertation and re-tweak it to fufill the article's format requirement   
  • Be concise, shorten your original wordings, don't need to emphasise information further in detail than needed. essential information only.   
  • If you have one research methodology but many questions, you may need to focus on one only, or all of them, depending on which is best.  
  • Focus on methodology may narrow as well.

⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚Assignment 1 : Research Implementation - Draft Dissertation˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆
Week 2 
To begin our dissertation writing, we were assigned the task of creating a literature matrix as the foundation for our literature review section. I developed my literature matrix using the articles I critically analyzed in previous Design Research Methodology course. Subsequently, I composed the first draft of my literature review, drawing from both the matrix and my critical review from the previous semester.


Final Draft Dissertation



⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚Assignment 2 : Visual Design Publication。˚ ⋆

To start ahead, I looked up on visual references for my design idea and compiled them as a moodboard in Canva . I inspired by the menu type of cover page which related to my food content and also more vibrant colors scheme and incorporated some devices that showing Food Delivery App which more relates to UI/UX concept.


After that, I drafted out cover design in Adobe Illustrator based on my idea of layout design for introduction and contents in Adobe Indesign.
 
 Fig 1.1 Visual Design Progress Week 8

Final Cover Page
 Fig 1.2 Visual Design Progress Week 9

After importing your Adobe illustration cover page,  I generate AI artwork for my food design pages. I plan to incorporate some of these pictures into my page design to make the visual layout book more cohesive with my food application design theme. This approach aims to enhance the visual appeal and relevance of my project, aligning with the overall aesthetic I have established. 
 Fig 2.1 Visual InDesign Progress Week 9

 Fig 2.2 Visual InDesign Progress Week 9

After finishing with the publication design, I exported it as pdf and uploaded it to fliphtml5 for submission.  



Visual Design Publication:

PDF Link: 



⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚Assignment 3: Turn it In Report and Final Dissertation˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆
Turn it In Report:

Final Dissertation:



⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚Final Assignment : Research for Article Publication˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆


⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚ Feedback ˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆
Week 1
Data has been collected, and additional resources from Google Scholar and Behance were identified to enhance our understanding of UI/UX food design applications. Continue gathering relevant articles and references to ensure a comprehensive foundation for the research. Prepare a summary of key findings from the articles.   

Week 2
The literature review structure was established, and a literature matrix was created to organize key themes. Action: Begin drafting the literature review by integrating the findings from the literature matrix and ensuring critical thinking is applied throughout.   

Week 3
Drafting of the literature review commenced, focusing on synthesizing information and identifying key themes.Continue refining the review by examining how different studies complement or contradict each other. Incorporate findings into a cohesive narrative. 

Week 4
Citations were systematically included to justify research approaches, and the discussion section was outlined.Revise the discussion section to ensure it clearly addresses the research questions without being overly descriptive. 

Week 5
Writing continued to focus on clarity, avoiding the first person, and adhering to stylistic guidelines regarding numbers. Action: Review and edit the dissertation draft for language clarity, tone, and adherence to professional writing standards. 

Week 6
The word count was assessed, and revisions were made to ensure we are within the required range. Action: Continue refining the content to meet word count requirements without sacrificing clarity or depth of information.   

Week 7
The discussion section was finalized to link findings back to the research questions, and recommendations for future research were drafted. Action: Finalize the dissertation by reviewing for any last-minute changes and ensuring all components are integrated seamlessly.    

Week 8
The colour scheme no need to be so colourful use two to three tones would be fine and food related should be vibrant colours. 

Week 9
For the second page of the book (after the cover page), display only the title to give it emphasis. Use a white background or a solid color that matches your theme.   The Taylor’s logo should not be overly large on the copyright page—you can model it after existing copyright pages. 

Week 10 
Resuming in editing and researching for research papers to finalise the points.While design and input the context into Adobe Indesign. 

Week 11
Submission of the Assignment 2. In addition, reconstruct ideas for Final Assignment while doing research to summarise the ideas. 

Week 12 
Continue gathering relevant articles and references to ensure a comprehensive foundation for the research. Prepare a summary of key findings from the articles.  



⋆ ˚。⋆୨୧˚ Reflection ˚୨୧⋆。˚ ⋆
The project was quite time-consuming, as designing over 100 pages took significantly longer than just writing. I had a lot of formatting to do from my dissertation, and I needed to ensure that the text flowed smoothly from one column to another, since large blocks of text can be overwhelming for readers. Redesigning the tables and figures also required considerable time, especially since there were many of them in my dissertation. During the formatting process, I ended up proofreading my writing again, which allowed me to identify and correct several typing errors while working on the design. However, I did miss a missing source in the reference list before submitting my publication, reminding me to be more careful in future projects. I aimed to complete most of the design work a week ahead of the submission so I could devote time to revising my final dissertation. 

Additionally, generating a design concept for my dissertation publication took some time. Initially, I wanted to create something different from my slide designs in Design Research Methodology. However, after exploring various designs and trying out different layouts, I ultimately chose to stick with a sketchy design concept. It aligned well with the title and was quicker to complete since it didn't require new illustrations. The conceptual framework in the introduction was also challenging for me to develop, but after discussing it with Mr.Asrizal and reviewing my introduction and literature review, I was able to grasp the concept and summarize the key points effectively.



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