Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Design processes and creative thinking are at the core of interactive and visual design disciplines. This unit offers a broad foundational and generic introduction to the processes and methods designers employ when designing in a contemporary cross-discipline environment. It also introduces design history and theory. The unit is offered at beginning of the interactive and visual design course in order to provide you with a foundation in design and creative thinking.

Aims

Through the combination of a theoretical overview with hands-on design challenges, this unit seeks to introduce you to ways of design thinking and solving design problems.

Objectives

By the completion of this unit you should be able to :

1. articulate what design practice is and how it is positioned within the creative industries,
2. reflect upon your creative process and yourself as a design practitioner,
3. demonstrate an applied understanding of design processes and creative thinking,
4. write for specific academic and creative industries applications taking into account audience, purpose and context
5. locate, evaluate and synthesis information from a variety of sources into your written communication and design work
6. collaborate in creative group work related to solving a design problem exploring multiple design approaches.

Content

Topics covered in this unit include:

- Academic Writing & Information Literacy
- Defining design
- Design history and processes
- Practical, aesthetic and symbolic functions of design and the designed.
- Creative thinking (idea generation) and problem solving
- Representation and communication of ideas
- Team work and group dynamics in the design context

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The course work in this unit examines the diverse field of design practices and how creativity can be stimulated to generate novel solutions to design problems. It will involve lectures, which address social, cultural, economic and technical themes that have continued to shape the design industry and the role of designed objects in society, as well as its practitioners, styles and methodological approaches. Tutorials consist of problem-based learning activities and group discussions. You'll work individually and in cross-disciplinary teams in a stimulating environment.

Assessment

There are two major assessment items in this unit. The first is a written essay that is related to the content covered in the lecture series, while the second is a design charrette that occurs in the final term of semester in class time.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
The tutorial environment allows for ongoing communication and feedback with relevant teaching staff and peers.
Weight: 0%

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will be awarded a final grade on a 1 to 7 scale.

Assessment name: Academic Writing for Design
Description: You will produce a piece of academic writing responding to a selected topic provided at the beginning of the semester and the successful completion of a series of online modules in academic literacies. Your text should reflect and be supported by the theoretical and practical contexts of the design practices covered during lectures and recommended readings.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4, 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Design Charrette
Description: You will participate in a design intensive collaborative session, through which your group will draft and present a solution to a given design problem. The presentation will be accompanied by a reflection upon your design process and the outcomes.
Relates to objectives: 2, 3, 5, 6
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Recommended readings

Ambrose, G., Harris A. Design Thinking: the act or practice of using your mind to consider design. AVA Publishing SA, 2010.

Armstrong, H. Graphic Design: Readings from the field,Princeton Architectural Press, New York. 2009.

Balance, G. & Heller, S. Graphic design history, Allworth Press, New York. 2001

Bhaskaran, L. Designs of the time: Using Movements and Styles for Contemporary Design. RotoVision. 2010

Buchanan, R., Margolin, V. Discovering Design: explorations in design studies. The University of Chicago Press, 1995.

Fallan, K. Design history: understanding theory and method, Berg Publishers, New York. 2010.

Heskett, John. Design : A Very Short Introduction Oxford University Press 2005

Lees-Maffei, G. & Houze, R., The design history reader, Berg Publishers, New York. 2010

Munari, B. Design as Art, Penguin Books, London. 2008

Norman, D. The design of everyday things. Basic books, 2002.

Norman, D. The design of future things. Basic books, 2007.

Materials:

You will require a range of drawing and artistic materials including:

- A4 size sturdy pre-bound sketchbook / 'visual diary' with a minimum of 50 pages. A good quality paper stock is recommended
- Fine line black felt pens, e.g. 0.2mm
- Graphite pencils in a number of weights (HB, 2B, 4B)
- Coloured pencils
- Pencil sharpener and eraser
- Coloured markers
- Digital storage media (USB memory stick or portable hard drive)

Risk assessment statement

There are no risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 07-Nov-2012