Building on the development of students understanding of geometric principles and ability to externalise these through different media, the focus of this module is to synthesise knowledge and understanding in a global design context. Students will be expected to analyse the Design and Communication Graphics syllabus in terms of its philosophy and structure. In order to support the development and externalisation of graphical concepts, students will further develop their freehand sketching and physical modelling skills through appropriate activities. These conceptually focused activities will facilitate students in using their graphical libraries in generating creative concepts and communicating these through sketches and physical models. Students will analyse the different functions of design and explore the various phases of designing. In taking cognisance of the design-based applications of geometric principles, students will further explore descriptive geometry problems with a specific focus on geometry in contemporary design.

Analysis of Design and Communication Graphics syllabus, Compare and contrast Junior Cycle GraphicsG and DCG syllabi, Conceptual freehand sketching, Graphical design and representation, Stages and functions of design, Design problem solving, , CAD rendering, simple animations (exploded views, pathways and walk through) in supporting the development and communication of design ideas, Perspective drawing (including auxiliary vanishing points), Exploration of CAD applications, , Projection of solids (inscribed and circumscribed spheres), Platonic solids (octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron) and archimedean solids. Intersection of Solids, Non-Euclidean geometries, Conic Sections 1 - derivation (ellipse, parabola and hyperbola), Tangent planes, Oblique planes 2, The hinge plane, Spatial relations between lines and planes, Skew Lines, Second auxiliaries, Surface development and envelopment of oblique solids, intersection of surfaces and intersection of regular and oblique solids.

On successful completion of this module, students will... Synthesise and externalise design ideas through various representational media Demonstrate a variety of sketching, illustration and rendering techniques to support the communication of graphical principles Compare and contrast the Graphics and Design and Communication Graphics syllabi Distinguish between different phases and their functions during processes of design Develop governing criteria to support the development of effective design tasks Generate creative concepts to global technological based problems by means of different representational media Select and justify the use of particular methods for design and representation Select, apply and justify appropriate geometric principles when solving descriptive geometry problems

On successful completion of this module, students will... Appreciate the philosophy and structure of the Design and Communication Graphics syllabus and demonstrate an awareness of how it contributes to the development of graphical capability Discuss and debate the value and importance of graphical education in relation to its contribution to both general education and the holistic development of the pupil.

On successful completion of this module, students will... Demonstrate a variety of graphical techniques to support the development and externalisation of global design problems, ideas and solutions Realise tangible artefacts that facilitate further interrogation of design problems and present physical solutions of conceptual designs

Lectures will challenge students understanding of the philosophy of graphical education at Senior Cycle in addition to facilitating the discussion of contemporary design in the curriculum. Labs will facilitate the exploration of geometric principles while integrating various media including computer aided techniques in communicating and developing design concepts. The module will be assessed through both summative and formative methods. A portfolio will be utilised to demonstrate the development of conceptual design skills, consolidating previously acquired skills and knowledge within a design graphics framework. In addition student will be required to demonstrate capability in relation to the selection and use of appropriate media to support defined stages and functions of design. Terminal examinations will assess the knowledge and understanding of the key principles that are central to the content of the module.