Design Studio Assessments
A Practical Guide for Educators
Anitra Nottingham(Author)
Bloomsbury Visual Arts (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 24. December 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-350-45879-6 (ISBN)
Description
This book is an essential resource for design faculty looking to create or improve their design studio assessments. Drawing from her experience as a learning designer and former graphic design instructor, Anitra Nottingham provides practical insights to demystify the "dark art" of assessment design, and offers practical guidance on creating clear, transparent, and fair assessments.
The book adopts a student-centred approach to design studio pedagogy, outlining effective strategies for designing engaging and meaningful graphic design assessments by utilizing a backward design methodology. It covers various frameworks for grading criteria for formative and summative assessments. Various design studio assessment methods are covered, including authentic assessment, problem, and project-based learning. Throughout the book there is advice for effective group work, along with ways to sequence and weigh assessments to maximize feedback opportunities. Furthermore, the book provides guidance on how to vary design assessments for online delivery.
The author delves into the nuances of creating effective rubrics that measure technical proficiency, process, creativity, and visual design. Along with guidance on balancing subjective and objective grading, the book also examines the invisible structures of academic governance that shape classroom practices and offers practical advice on writing assessment briefs.
Exemplars from current design studios, a glossary, and additional resources support design faculty in implementing the book's principles. This essential guide provides a toolkit to empower design teachers to create more effective and equitable assessment practices in their classrooms.
The book adopts a student-centred approach to design studio pedagogy, outlining effective strategies for designing engaging and meaningful graphic design assessments by utilizing a backward design methodology. It covers various frameworks for grading criteria for formative and summative assessments. Various design studio assessment methods are covered, including authentic assessment, problem, and project-based learning. Throughout the book there is advice for effective group work, along with ways to sequence and weigh assessments to maximize feedback opportunities. Furthermore, the book provides guidance on how to vary design assessments for online delivery.
The author delves into the nuances of creating effective rubrics that measure technical proficiency, process, creativity, and visual design. Along with guidance on balancing subjective and objective grading, the book also examines the invisible structures of academic governance that shape classroom practices and offers practical advice on writing assessment briefs.
Exemplars from current design studios, a glossary, and additional resources support design faculty in implementing the book's principles. This essential guide provides a toolkit to empower design teachers to create more effective and equitable assessment practices in their classrooms.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
75 colour illus
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-350-45879-6 (9781350458796)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Anitra Nottingham is currently Head of Course Design at RMIT University Online, Australia, and was previously Co-Chair and Online Director of the School of Graphic Design at the Academy of Art University, USA, where she taught design, history, typography, and research methods. Anitra has been a Creative Director in agency and corporate settings, and was a book designer for Oxford University Press and Penguin Books Australia. She holds a Masters from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Melbourne and is co-author of The Graphic Design Process (Bloomsbury, 2019).
Content
Introduction: The "Dark Art" of assessment design.
1. The Graphic Design Studio
2. Learning Outcomes
3. Assessment Types
4. Rubrics and Grading
5. Briefing
6. Academic Governance
7. Continuous Improvement
Further resources
Glossary of key terms
1. The Graphic Design Studio
2. Learning Outcomes
3. Assessment Types
4. Rubrics and Grading
5. Briefing
6. Academic Governance
7. Continuous Improvement
Further resources
Glossary of key terms