Page 41 - Ben Sweeney

Modules & Their Objectives

This year there we took a step back and looked more deeply into the world of

design. It was very apparent from the get-go that we will not be designing a
product based mearly on form and functionality, we would be looking how a

product plays on a user's emotions, how they will interact with the product (UX)

and really identifying pain points of the user through extensive research.

With our Literature Review, which stemmed from our Culture Studies Module, we

are invited to engage with the Social & Symbolic meanings given by a product,

which the designer is trying to portray. It was a great aspect of the course to tie
into our Industrial Design projects. It gave me another aspect to investigate while

proposing or creating a design.

New to us this year was Marketing Module. I gained vital knowledge in how to

approach creating a strong brand identity which is crucial in the design world.

Similarly, it links back to the cultural studies, where we need to emotionally

connect with our intended audiences whether it be brand names, fonts, imagery
or texts/fonts.

Solidworks has become a pivotal part of my current set of skills. The point of the
year where I really found myself to truely flex my strenghts was when I

deconstructed the vape pen and modeled the internal components. Just

understanding the functions of every lip and ridge internally of the product really
has opened my mind to a more manufacturing mind set for future design projects.

It would be difficult to not address the Pandemic and the effects it has had.
Comparing my graphical work from last year I can safely say I have moved on

greatly in my work. The pandemic has to be a factor as I had nothing but time to

sit infront of my computer and practice, practice and practice! However,

motivation began to deplete after Christmas and it was difficult to envisage the
finish line. The only positive from the aspect was the ability to eventually pull

through and self motivate, a key trait that will be most beneficial in the design

world.