Design Research Dissertation
- October 10, 2025
23/9/2025 - 4/11/2025 (Week 1 - Week 14)
GU QIANKUAN| 0369385
Design Research Dissertation | Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media | Taylor's
University
Research Implementation - Draft Dissertation
.Task 1: your dissertation draft (the version that has the feedback
given)
Task 2: your final dissertation Turnitin report (and if needed
amendment, include the amended version as well)
. Task 3: your flipbook
. Task 4: your research article (PDF)
1. LECTURES & WORK PROGRESS
Task 1 dissertation draft
Week 1: Overview and Preparation
The initial week involved an introduction to the module, outlining
the required tasks and deliverables. We were guided on how to
structure their dissertations to identify gaps and address key
research questions. Revisiting previous critical reviews and
creating a literature review matrix were recommended as foundational
steps to prepare for upcoming discussions and tasks.
Week 2: Literature Review
The focus shifted to developing a comprehensive literature
review. We were encouraged to utilize academic databases to find
peer-reviewed articles, prioritize frequently cited works, and
ensure the objectivity and relevance of sources. Tools like
Mendeley were recommended for reference management. Strategies
such as colour-coding important points, cross-referencing key
themes, and summarizing major trends were employed to identify
gaps in the literature. We needed to conclude this section by
highlighting key contributors, recurring themes, and unresolved
questions in the field.
This is my first draft of Section: Literature Review:
Weeks 4-5: Results and Discussion
Week 7: Final Submission of Draft Dissertation
The final week was dedicated to completing the draft dissertation.
Challenges that I faced included maintaining a structured writing process,
adhering to word count requirements, and ensuring proper formatting,
especially with pagination. I did some revisions that involved expanding
the research background, refining the conceptual framework, and
integrating feedback from previous weeks. I also did a thorough review to
minimize errors and ensure a polished submission.
TASK2 TASK3 Visual Design Publication
Final Dissertation and TURNITIN Submission
Week 8: Mood Board
This week, I created a mood board using Canva, drawing visual references
and inspiration from Pinterest and Google. The mood board served as a
foundation for the design process and included key elements such as the
overall aesthetic inspiration, a cohesive color scheme, layout ideas, and
typeface selections. This step was essential for visualizing the creative
direction and ensuring all design components aligned with the desired
theme and tone of the project.
The following is the Visual Design Publication Mood Board:
Click HERE to view the Canva slide in the new tab.
Visual Design Exploration，作者 QIANKUAN GU
Week 9 -10: Design Book Cover and Design Elements
This week, I began the process of designing the book cover, carefully
considering how to create a visually compelling and cohesive design
that aligns with the overall theme of the e-book. I focused on
selecting and preparing the design elements, including the images that
would be incorporated into the e-book. This involved curating
high-quality pictures, editing them to enhance their visual appeal,
and ensuring they complemented the content effectively. The goal was
to create a polished and professional visual presentation that would
engage readers and provide a seamless aesthetic experience throughout
the e-book.
Book Cover:
Weeks 11: Final Dissertation with Turnitin Submission and Visual
Design Publication
Final Dissertation Turnitin Submission:
Final Assessment
Week 12-13: Journal Article Publication
Differences Between Dissertations and Journal Articles
Based on the lecture slides:
A journal article is significantly shorter than a dissertation, containing only the
most relevant points and information. Rather than including all
content from the dissertation, specific details are extracted and
adjusted to fit the article's formatting requirements.
Conciseness is key—wording should be shortened, and unnecessary details should
be excluded. Focus only on essential information without elaborating
more than necessary.
When dealing with one research methodology but multiple research
questions, you may need to focus on just one question or cover all
of them, depending on what best suits the article's purpose.
Similarly, narrowing the focus on the methodology may be beneficial for creating a more concise and targeted
article.
The lecturer also advised us to write the article according to the
following template:
Week 14:Final Submission of Journal Article Publication
Final Submission
FEEDBACK
Adapting my dissertation into a journal article was a rigorous exercise in academic condensation. Unlike the expansive nature of a thesis, this task demanded strict economy of language and a complete structural overhaul to meet the journal's specific protocols. I had to critically evaluate my own work, stripping away non-essential details to highlight the core arguments. This transition taught me that impactful academic writing relies heavily on brevity and the ability to articulate complex methodology in a streamlined format.
I realized that the strength of an article lies in what you choose to omit. By restricting the narrative to just one or two primary objectives, the paper became much more cohesive and easier to follow. I also found that replacing dense text with graphical elements, such as figures and summary tables, vastly improved the readability of the results. Moreover, the peer review process was instrumental; feedback regarding flow and syntax helped me bridge the gap between my introduction and the conclusion, turning a rough draft into a polished piece through repeated revisions.
Findings
This assignment demonstrated that research value is defined by how well it is communicated. A focused, narrow scope often yields a more compelling argument than a broad overview. I discovered that the key to publishing is not just having good data, but mastering the art of logical progression and precise phrasing. Ultimately, responding to feedback and refining the manuscript enhanced my discipline and time management skills, resulting in a professional final product that I am proud of.
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