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

Please note: this unit is only available to BGIE (Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment) students. The act of designing is a common link between many disciplines such as game design, software design, animation and character design, architecture, industrial design, etc. This unit offers a broad and generic introduction to the act of designing in a discipline context free environment, and is therefore offered at the commencement of the course.

Aims

This unit is designed to expose you to a range of experiences not possible within the confines of the usual university routine. It also calls upon you to exert physical and mental efforts that may be different in degree and nature to your usual coursework. Through these opportunities this unit seeks to introduce to you the ways of thinking like a designer.

Objectives

Discipline specific: By the completion of this unit you should be able to demonstrate the following discipline specific capabilities at beginning level:

1. an ability to apply an explorative design process to design activities, including an understanding of analysis, synthesis and evaluation


2. reflection on your personal experiences of project activities


3. the use of visual representation techniques for thinking and communicating

Graduate Capabilities: By the completion of this unit you should be able to demonstrate the following graduate capabilities at beginning level:
- the capacity to exhibit creative as well as analytical ways of thinking about questions in at least one discipline (GC2)
- the ability to identify, define and solve problems in at least one discipline area (GC2)
- managing time and prioritising activities to achieve goals (GC4)
- being a cooperative and productive team member or leader (GC5)

Key: Graduate Capabilities
GC1 - Knowledge and Skills
GC2 - Critical and Creative Thinking
GC3 - Communication
GC4 - Lifelong Learning
GC5 - Independence and Collaboration
GC6 - Social and Ethical Responsibility
GC7 - Leadership and Change

Content

Topics covered in this unit include:

• problem solving strategies


• research


• problem definition


• idea generation


• idea evaluation and selection


• implementation and testing


• representation and communication of ideas


• environmental awareness and responsibility


• team work and team dynamics

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit uses exercises to enhance student perceptions of the natural and human made environments in a problem based learning context. The unit is block taught over several weeks during the middle of the semester and will include students participating in a workshop/studio set over several days. Students work individually and in teams in a stimulating and immersive environment. Formative and summative feedback will be given at key times throughout the program to foster the development of problem-based learning projects.

Teaching Mode: Hours per week: Block taught continuous program over several days, with introductory lecture sessions in the preceding weeks.

Learning approaches will cover the following:

• Problem based


• Self-learning


• Group learning


• Reflective

Assessment

Assessment is spread over three components: two design projects and one design journal. To help you glean the most you can from the experience you are required to prepare an assignment (design journal) that reflects on your design project activities from the workshop/studio. You will record, and analyse your activities and experiences in your personal notebook during the workshop/studio, such that they can inform later reflective activities and journal production. Formative feedback will be given during the workshop/studio activities.You can obtain feedback on your progress throughout the unit through the following mechanisms:

• ask the teaching staff for advice and assistance during lectures and practical sessions


• your major assignment will be returned to you before the end of semester with comments on your progress


• private consultation with teaching staff

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Design Project 1
Relates to objectives: 1
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Project (applied)
Description: Design Project 2
Relates to objectives: 1
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Reflective Journal
Description: Design Journal
Relates to objectives: 1-3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: External
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 7

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

Set text: There are no set texts for this unit.
Materials: Participation in this unit will require a range of drafting and artistic materials and supplies. Typical requirements include:

• A4 size sturdy pre-bound sketchbook (good quality bond or cartridge paper, 'visual diary' or similar)


• Fine line black felt pens, eg. 0.2 or 0.4mm


• Graphite pencils in several soft and medium weights such as HB, 2B, 4B and 6B


• Coloured pencils: set of 12 minimum (eg. Cumberland Derwents)


• Pencil sharpener, and eraser

Risk assessment statement

The unit may require you to partake in a field trip of a supervised and self-guided nature. A risk assessment for the trip has identified only low impact risks. You will be provided with relevant safely guidelines. You will be required to obey all safety guidelines and directions while attending field trips: failure to do so may result in the awarding of a failing grade.

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

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: 24-Oct-2012