Educators' Guide for Pedagogy and Assessment
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Unit: 3. Artisanship as a business
Artisanship
Learning Outcome: 1. I know the research and design strategies for a sustainable artisan business.
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Strategies: e.g. Customer and product oriented design, product positioning and scope, integrating technologies, design for sustainability and innovation, integrating branding and image, developing design language, optimising product and processes, redirection of product lifecycle, re-aligning design and business.
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Market research tools: e.g. Google Insight, surveys, questionnaires, consumer testing, published statistics, business demographics;
Importance: e.g. Identifying trends, competitors, gaps in the market, inform opportunities, developments, sustainability.
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How Artisan industries are addressing the current market trend: e.g. Improving product appeal by developing innovation, improving production processes, functionality and ergonomics, aesthetical qualities, adjusting sustainability and viability according to customer demand, economics and environment by reducing cost and waste.
Learning Outcome: 2. I can develop an artisan product suitable for a viable business/enterprise.
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Technologies/digital tools: Software, apps, cameras, scanners and printers, computerised machines;
Capabilities: Research and interpret; create, present, capture and manipulate; experiment and produce; promote and sell.
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Steps: Research to find targets; idea generations for innovation and originality; analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses; design developing to improve and refine; testing and evaluating to solve problems; planning and preparing for most efficiency; branding and marketing for financial success; continued updating and improving to remain competitive; efficient customer care to gain good reputation; consumer surveys to ensure customer satisfaction.
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Intentions: Research and identify target market; generate and develop ideas; communicate and promote design ideas; experiment and produce an artefact.
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Design and produce a viable product/business: Appropriate research and design analysis; clear plans and design developments for a viable product/business; accurate graphical representations using technology; solving problems through tests and experiments; using production methods skilfully and responsibly.
Learning Outcome: 3. I know how to set up a viable artisan business/enterprise.
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Enterprise: e.g. Exhibitions, teaching, workshop, shop, fairs, services, customised production services;
Business: Self-employed, freelance, sole trader, a partnership or a limited company.
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Steps: Market research, business plan, premises, suppliers, laws and regulations, raising finances, marketing, taxation, insurance, accounting.
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Requirements: e.g.
- Important documentation required for banks and government bodies;
- The important governing bodies to contact;
-The important laws and legislations to follow: e.g Health and safety, copyright, data protection;
-How to find and complete documents: business plan, tax forms, accounts.
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Steps: Know the target market; write a good mission statement; create catchy name/slogan; use appropriate visuals; logo/icon; protecting identity; building good reputation; managing and updating the brand; collecting and acting on feedback; keep competitive.
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Strategies: Mail marketing; website; interpersonal interactions; social media; using events; calling; TV and radio advertisements; printed flyers and posters; pay-per-click; point of sales.
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Branded marketing e.g.
-target market;
-marketing strategies;
-design choices: e.g. style, layout, fonts, wording, colours and techniques used for branding/marketing;
-cost effectiveness;
-reputations;
-ability to keep current;
-ability to maintain customer satisfaction.
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Formal elements: e.g. Line, colour, shape, form, proportion, texture, space;
Design principles: e.g. Repetition, balance/symmetry, emphasis, contrast, pattern, unity and harmony, variety.
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Materials: e.g.
-Ceramics/pottery: e.g. surfaces/fittings, decorative;
-Wood/plant-based: e.g. furniture, structural;
-Jewellery/beadwork: decorative items, soft furnishings;
-Stonework: e.g. structural, decorative;
-Glass work: e.g. windows, decorative;
-Metal work: e.g. Railings/structural, furnishing/fittings;
-Clothing/textiles: e.g. workmen clothing, soft furnishings;
-Parchment/paper: e.g. shades/screens, decorative.
Characteristics and properties: e.g. flexibility, insulator/conductor, malleability, compression, tension, elasticity, toughness/durability, optical/aesthetical qualities, ergonomics, fitness for purposes.
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Environments: Exhibition space or classroom or workshop or shop or office.
Interior design considerations: e.g. Sourcing appropriate premises, practical materials, furnishings and equipment needed, spatial and layout design, elements and principles of interior design, appropriate lighting, ergonomics factors, designing for public/work space, health and safety legislations, design considerations such as functionality, financial costs and other restrictions.
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Business/Enterprise may be: Exhibition or fair or online shop or website.
Work collaboratively: Discusses and works with others; shows responsibility; consideration and respect to others; contributes to all group work and discussions; contributes to the project at each stage; communicates appropriately; carries out individual responsibilities; abides by rules and regulations; shows some independence and initiative; sees the project through to the end.
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Projects might be: e.g. Interior design models displaying branding in various ways or creating various printed or digital promotional/marketing materials.
Work collaboratively: Discusses and works with others; shows responsibility; consideration and respect to others; contributes to all group work and discussions; contributes to the project at each stage; communicates appropriately; carries out individual responsibilities; abides by rules and regulations; shows some independence and initiative; sees the project through to the end.