DESIGN 100 Design Methods and Processes 1 - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Introduces students to human-centred design methods and tools that range from problem framing to prototyping, modelling, and validating solution ideas. Students will address a variety of briefs based on real-world problems and contexts, exploring their personal creative potential through a series of hands-on projects supported by presentations.

Course Overview

This course is a required foundation course for all Design and Design Conjoint students. By completing this course, students will be familiar with and confident in the use of core design methods and technologies for visualising concepts and prototyping with both digital and analogue materials.

The main focus of this course is How We Design, making it the perfect companion course for Design 101, which focusses on Why We Design.

Design involves listening hard, analysing forensically, committing early, prototyping rapidly, testing authentically and planning strategically. Most importantly, design results in an artefact that has an intended impact on the context. This course concentrates on what methods, processes, tools and techniques are adopted and combined by designers to analyse, create, develop and deploy design into the everyday world of complex social, cultural, temporal, spatial, political and environmental systems.

Topics and activities include:

Design Methods and Process: The semester will begin with an introduction to design terms, design process, various methods of practice and how to apply them to design problems.
Design Technologies: Students will experiment with visualisation and fabrication technologies through a combination of instructional tutorials and artefact development
Design Prototyping and Testing: Students will develop and refine designs through rapid and iterative prototyping, testing, and refining.
Design Solutions: Students will resolve, demonstrate and justify a project based on a brief.
Design Research: Students will reflect on research and development processes to investigate design issues and communicate findings.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate Familiarity with key methodologies and design tools and their application in design research and development contexts. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2)
Demonstrate familiarity with framing and reframing a design question based on observation and evidence. (Capability 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2, 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4)
Demonstrate a familiarity with iteratively developing a design project while documenting a process and its evolution through successive prototypes. (Capability 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1 and 7.2)
Demonstrate an ability to critically reflect on process while seeking input from stakeholders in a given project. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2 and 8.4)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Design Challenge	10%	Individual Coursework
Project Documentation	30%	Group & Individual Coursework
Prototype & Iterate	40%	Group & Individual Coursework
Reflection	20%	Individual Coursework
4 types	100%

Assessment Type	Learning Outcome Addressed
	1	2	3	4
Design Challenge
Project Documentation
Prototype & Iterate
Reflection

A total grade of 50% or higher is required to pass this course.

Teaching & Learning Methods

This course will be delivered over 12 weeks in a practice-oriented environment. Teaching and Learning methods are experiential, collaborative, and project-based. Design experts and industry guests will participate in learning activities with students.

Each week there will be a 1-hour lecture to introduce key concepts, a 2-hour tutorial focussing on technical skills, and a 3-hour design studio which will allow time for creative exploration and feedback sessions on course projects. Students are exposed to design thinking systems using a 'learning-by-doing' model.

Lectures and tutorials are recorded for remote viewing. A flipped classroom methodology is employed to allow students to investigate concepts, discover issues and innovate solutions remotely, then bring questions to studio for analysis with tutors and classmates.

Students are expected to attend every week, as each session has been designed to equip students with the necessary skills to complete all assessment activities to receive a passing grade. A thoughtful and active engagement in tutorials and studio feedback sessions will contribute to achieving higher than a passing grade.

Practical tutorials start with induction sessions in the fabrication labs, and will also include equipment and software training led by expert technicians. Computer technicians will be available in the first 2 weeks to assist students who may need help setting up laptops and access to software.

The major assessment task is a group project, which has been designed using a constructivist methodology to encourage peer-to-peer learning, diversity of perspective, and the development of soft skills. Opportunities for assessable peer feedback have been built in to ensure parity, encourage co-operation and build empathy. Assessments also provide the opportunity for individual reflection on the success of designs and learnings made throughout the course.

A tuakana–teina relationship is fostered between tutors and students through the tutors' roles as advisors and critical friends throughout all phases of design projects. A creative, safe, and convivial atmosphere is encouraged through the integration of karakia into lessons and an emphasis on manākitanga and fun.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 25 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect per week 1 hours of lecture contact, 2 hours of tutorial instruction, 3 hours of studio contact, 4 hours of preparatory reading and planning for studio and tutorials and 15 hours of work on assignments, skills development and folio development.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials and studios to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will be available as recordings.
The course will include live online events including group discussions.
Attendance on campus is required for the presentation of your final project.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Required from each student:
- BYOD - All new students enrolled in a Bachelor of Design or Design conjoint degree should come to class with their own laptop. This is so students will have the core learning tools available in and outside of class. It also means students can increase their independence and have better control of a professional device to stimulate creativity and simplify their design process. Working with ya personal laptop during the Design degree will prepare students for the realities of working as a designer after graduation. The highly recommended, recommended and minimum specifications for a laptop are listed here: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/creative/current-students/courses/design/courses-design-bring-your-own-device.html

Students will develop an online folio to be maintained throughout their course. Students will be guided in class to select appropriate tools and services to host personal folios for reflection and presentation.

- Sketch pad and drawing materials: It is good practice to be able to quickly record ideas through writing and sketching as well as collecting and pasting items found that are relevant or inspiring.

Provided by course:
- Materials and software needed to complete projects to highest standards are free or will be provided by the course. These include access to software (Rhino, fusion 360, etc), machines (Laser cutter, 3D printer), and materials (Mdf, card stock, etc).

Optional:

- Students may wish to use supplementary resources (This may include specialised materials, tooling, hardware, or software) at their own expense to progress projects. While this is allowed, it will not have any bearing on the potential quality of submission.

Health & Safety

Students will be inducted on safe practices in the FabLab workshop, and complete specific safe use training for relevant machinery and tools.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Assignment submission frequency in the first 6 weeks will be reduced and more time given in studio for students to focus on assignment work. There will be more alignment with DESIGN 101 to focus workload and coordinate submission dates. Technical support for assignments requiring lab fabrication will be more streamlined to facilitate remote submissions and reduce bottlenecking over submission week. Assessment weighting for group work activities will be reduced in the second 6 weeks.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Where a student faces unavoidable personal circumstances (e.g. illness or a death in the family) that mean the student is unable to submit a component of coursework, they may apply for an extension.  Requests for extensions of time must be submitted and approved using the online Extension of Time Application form available on Canvas:

https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/creative-arts-and-industries/design-programme-extension-of-time-application-form.html

Students should notify the Course Director/Course Coordinator of their situation as soon as practicable, and preferably before any due date. Notifications received after an assessment due date will be accepted, where this is reasonable, within the context of the course. If possible, students are encouraged to seek medical, counselling or other support from the most appropriate sources.

No extensions will be granted for problems such as accidentally erased computer files, which should always be prevented by keeping backup copies.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Capability 1:	People and Place
Capability 2:	Sustainability
Capability 3:	Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4:	Critical Thinking
Capability 5:	Solution Seeking
Capability 6:	Communication
Capability 7:	Collaboration
Capability 8:	Ethics and Professionalism

DESIGN 100 : Design Methods and Processes 1

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (30 POINTS)