DESIGN REALISATION - 2025/6

Module Overview

This module provides an essential foundation in workshop skills that will underpin the students¿ work on future modules. Sessions in set construction, prop making, scenic painting and wardrobe provide an opportunity to explore materials and techniques used across the scenic arts. This module will also offer the opportunity to interpret plans and realise designs.

Students will be introduced to a range of tools, materials and techniques that are used in the workshop, paint shop, wardrobe and the props studio; and will be taught to use them safely and effectively. It is also an opportunity to introduce the principles of sustainable production practice and the principles of the circular economy.

On completion of this module, students will have the confidence to navigate the workshop and wardrobe departments, enabling them to independently use equipment to successfully undertake learning.

Module provider

Guildford School of Acting

Module Leader

DOWNTON Kathryn (GSA)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Year long

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Introduction to set construction.


• Introduction to prop making.


• Introduction to scenic painting.


• Introduction to wardrobe.


• Introduction to sustainable production practices.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Coursework: Essay on roles and responsibilities of the various design realisation departments (1500 words)

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate problem- solving, planning and practical competency, understanding and application of sustainable working practices, and to encourage independent research. They will also be able to demonstrate a growing knowledge of design realisation and its place within the wider creative industries.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework: online presentation (10-15 slides) Addresses learning outcomes 1, 2, 3,4

• Section of presentation (one created piece and description of working practices) submitted at midpoint of module.

• Dynamic formative verbal feedback will be provided throughout the sessions.


• Recorded tutor feedback for formative submission

Module aims

• Introduce students to the practical and creative skills needed for the interpretation and realisation of scenic elements.
• Enable the students to discover the importance of problem-solving as an integral part of the design realisation process.
• Encourage both independent and group work to develop a holistic team approach to design realisation.
• Inspire students to consider and explore sustainable practices

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

Provide a variety of learning and teaching methods that fit with the overall aims and strategies of the programme and are appropriate to the study of professional design realisation. There is a balance of tutor lead and student lead sessions, with multiple opportunities for personal exploratory work. The strategy will encourage individual learning, problem solving and develop skills in visual research, planning and communication.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PRO1037

Other information

Guildford School of Acting trains students, within their chosen fields, to have an understanding and appreciation of Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow Theatre Production students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Digital Capabilities

Students will be expected to create and read basic CAD drawings from which to make a scenic element for construction. Additionally, the students will be learning the basics of how and when to use a CNC machine in a set construction workshop. To create the presentation, they will use standard presentation software.

Global and Cultural Capabilities

Although the focus will be on U.K theatre practice, students will be introduced to the key differences that are evident in international design realisation environments. There are also opportunities to create projects that generate research into a range of time periods and global cultures.

Employability

This module introduces the students to current professional design realisation practices and therefore begins to equip them for working in industry. Transferable skills such as self- motivation, teamwork and planning are also embedded.

Resourcefulness and Resilience

Throughout the independent learning aspects of this module, students will be challenged to develop proactivity and self¿management in particular relation to personal time management. They will also be challenged with ongoing peer feedback throughout the module which aims to build resilience to critique.

Sustainability

This will be embedded throughout the module in terms of sustainable materials choices, making props and set within the principles of the circular economy. Ensuring that the students understand and can apply current industry sustainability initiatives and guidance will also be prioritised; and will be an integral part of the assessment.

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.