DESIGN 233 Design for the Natural Environment - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

An overview of the ways that design can promote and actualise the regeneration of our natural environment through collaborative, systemic, and circular innovation. Students will learn fundamental theory, frameworks and methods to create positive impact using design strategy within the fields of environmental sustainability and conservation.

Course Overview

The transition towards sustainable societies requires radical, systemic innovation, and designers are increasingly becoming key change-making leaders within this field. This course will provide students with fundamental theory, frameworks and methods that relate the field of Design with the fields of Sustainability, Conservation and Social Innovation.

The course comprises an overview of the ways that Design can promote and work towards the regeneration of our natural environment through collaborative, systemic and radical innovation. This approach starts with strategies for implementing designs that minimise harm to the environment (ecodesign) and expands to include the development of systemic solutions that regenerate biodiversity and reinvent people’s relationship to nature (Design for Conservation and Sustainability). In line with the Maori traditional principle of Kaitiakitanga, this course will elaborate on the use of Design as a transition path towards new models of wellbeing based on the respect and understanding of our position as a species that is part of a complex ecosystem. By proposing new ways of relating to our land and our community that acknowledge the limits of our planet, the role of biodiversity and the value of resilience, Design can positively help us find solutions to complex (wicked) problems.

Students will consolidate their learnings by working on a real Design for Conservation project, finding candidate solutions for relevant local environmental issues that impact a variety of stakeholders.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: DESIGN 100, 101

Learning Outcomes

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

Develop and demonstrate critical thinking towards the nature of global, systemic/wicked problems. (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 6.1 and 6.3)
Identify, articulate and apply best practice methods for analysing case studies from local and global contexts. (Capability 1.3, 2.4, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
Effectively engage and communicate with a group of diverse stakeholders involved in a project context. (Capability 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 5.5)
Understand and apply different design models for developing design solutions in the fields of environmental sustainability and conservation. (Capability 1.1, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3 and 6.3)
Ability to collaborate within an interdisciplinary group. (Capability 3.2, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3 and 6.2)
Demonstrate an appreciation of Maori and Pasifika traditions and principles that apply to the natural environment. (Capability 5.5, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Case study analysis	30%	Individual Coursework
Concept-level solution	40%	Group & Individual Coursework
Refined Solution	30%	Group & Individual Coursework
3 types	100%

Assessment Type	Learning Outcome Addressed
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Case study analysis
Concept-level solution
Refined Solution

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

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, he/she may apply for an extension. 

Applications for extensions require that students complete the Design Programme Extension of Time Application Form https://www.forms.auckland.ac.nz/en/student/creative-arts-and-industries/design-programme-extension-of-time-application-form.html

The request is assessed by the Group Services Administrator and Course coordinator and must be supported by written evidence from a doctor or counselor. The student must apply no later than five days before the due date of the assignment. In case of extreme difficulty closer to the assignment deadline contact your course coordinator directly. 

No extensions will be granted for problems such as accidentally erased computer files, which should always be prevented by keeping backup copies. When an extension is granted, students are expected to submit evidence of work in progress on the original assignment due date to demonstrate what has been completed up to that date.”

Teaching & Learning Methods

This Design Studio course will be delivered over 12 weeks, with 3 hours of contact each week. While the main topics will be delivered by the course coordinator and co-teacher, several invited guest lecturers will collaborate in the delivery of specific topics of their expertise.

Each studio session will involve a combination of presentations and activities that will vary depending on the specific theme. During the first weeks, classes will be mainly theoretical and exercises will have the objective of consolidating theory and acquiring the adequate mindset and framework for a sensitive approach to a conservation problematic and effective subsequent group work. Students will be individually evaluated at this stage through a case study presentation focused on storytelling for change.

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 group work and feedback sessions will contribute to achieving a higher than a passing grade.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 12.5 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 1 hour of lectures, a 2-hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 7.5 hours of work on assignments.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including studios to complete components of the course.
Lectures and other learning activities will be available as recordings.
The course might include live online events including group discussions and tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for all the assignment presentations.

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.

BYOD - All 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 a 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

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.

We have taken it into account feedback from last semester and will implement these changes, focusing on :

- Clarifying assessment criteria and providing them earlier on in the semester;

- Ensuring students have access to all learning materials readily as well as access to all digital tools required.

- Creating more opportunities to look deeper into examples of sustainable initiatives and draw learnings from them; whether local, indigenous, western and/or international examples.

- Provide a methodology to effectively build working groups of students with complementary skill sets.

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 against online source material 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.

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:	Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2:	Critical Thinking
Capability 3:	Solution Seeking
Capability 4:	Communication and Engagement
Capability 5:	Independence and Integrity
Capability 6:	Social and Environmental Responsibilities

DESIGN 233 : Design for the Natural Environment

Creative Arts and Industries

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)