DESIGN 240 Designing with Data - Course Outlines

Course Prescription

Students will experiment with tools to access, analyse, process, visualise and interact with a range of data sources. Students will produce provocative data-driven simulations that support decision making and promote a call-to-action related to a foreseeable local or global crisis.

Course Overview

Data is a significant resource for designers, and the techniques for designing with data have dramatically evolved in recent years. Analogous to materials and craftsmen that have aided in the advancement of human civilization, Data can be considered the 'material' of the 21st century. As designers that will be part of this future, the ability to filter complex data and craft a narrative for effective communication is a vital skill.

This course builds on the fundamental concepts of form, colour, motion, and interaction introduced in DES101. Students enrolled in this course will create data-driven works that demonstrate an understanding of narrative design and basic coding concepts taught during the studio sessions.

Over the course of the semester, students will have gained an understanding of the possibilities and limitations of computationally driven design and understand how to integrate it as part of a wider workflow.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: DESIGN 100, 101

Learning Outcomes

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

Analyse and interpret how information has been sourced, aggregated, and processed (Capability 1.2, 2.1, 2.4, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
Develop the ability to create a data-driven argument to (i) support a decision, (ii) advance a point of view, (iii) propose a course of action. (Capability 1.3, 2.4, 3.1, 4.2, 5.2, 5.5 and 6.1)
Demonstrate and apply skills in coding fundamentals, in conjunction with industry standard graphic software, to develop projects. (Capability 1.1, 4.2 and 5.3)
Participate by presenting work and critiquing the work of others in a studio pedagogical context. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.5 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type	Percentage	Classification
Assignment 1 - Interpreting data	25%	Individual Coursework
Assignment 2 - Data Visualisation	25%	Individual Coursework
Assignment 3 - Final Project	35%	Group Coursework
Quizzes / Coding challenges	15%	Individual Test
4 types	100%

Assessment Type	Learning Outcome Addressed
	1	2	3	4
Assignment 1 - Interpreting data
Assignment 2 - Data Visualisation
Assignment 3 - Final Project
Quizzes / Coding challenges

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

All assignment submission items requested by the lecturer must be uploaded to Canvas, unless specified on the assignment brief. No email submission will be accepted. Assignments must be accompanied by a cover sheet available on Canvas.

Multiple submissions are possible. Students can submit multiple versions of the assignment and all the submitted versions are kept. Marking is based on the latest version submitted before the deadline.

Late assignments are NOT generally accepted. Any work submitted after the due date and without an extension form will be treated as overdue and will automatically be graded D-/0 (zero). In extreme circumstances, the student can apply for an extension. For example, when 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.

Applications for extensions require that students complete a formal application form (available on Canvas). The request is assessed by the Group Services Administrator or Course coordinator and must be supported by written evidence from a doctor or counselor. Extension forms and supporting evidence to be sent to design-admin@auckland.ac.nz. The student must apply no later than five days before the due date of the assignment. In case of an extreme difficulty being experienced closer to the assignment deadline, students can contact the 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

The course will be delivered via a 3-hour studio session each week. Students will also have access to online resources that support and complement the concepts, activities, and outputs of this Studio Course.

The studio sessions will typically have the following format :

Presentation: by academics, technical staff and industry guests of new concepts and best practice
Workshop: skills development in visual, temporal and programming techniques
Assignment orientated development: self-directed project sessions supported by both teaching and technical staff
Q&A / feedback session: to advance student progress

Studio activities are designed to align with assessment tasks. Each week students will learn concepts and techniques to reflect and support the stages of project work required for each assessment submission.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect each week and over 12 weeks to dedicate to at least 1 hour of online engagement with topics and/or materials published online between each class, attend the 3-hour studio session on-site (or on-line, if scheduled and announced on Canvas), 2 hours of preparatory and reflective reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments.

Please note that evidence of student participation may be expected on a variety of online platforms and in environments beyond the Studio and Lab spaces. Such as Canvas, Discord, Zoom, Miro, and others. Students will be informed on Canvas with specific instructions.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials and studios to engage in studio activities and gain credit for various components of the course. Where appropriate, lectures and introductions to assignments will be available as recordings. Other learning activities such as guest lectures and studio sessions will not be available as recordings.

Attendance on campus is required for the quizzes unless there are exceptional circumstances which are to be discussed with the course coordinator with a minimum of 5 days advanced notice. The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable with an expectation that students will operate in a self-directed capacity and progress assignments outside of studio hours.

Learning Resources

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

Software:

All students are required to have:

Processing: the latest version can be installed on BYOD devices (Mac and Windows) for free at https://processing.org/download/
Adobe Illustrator: It is recommended they have it installed on their BYOD device. Alternatively, Illustrator is also accessible on the computers within the design studio space.
Students will be informed of any other recommended or updated software on the course Canvas website

Materials:

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.

Students will maintain an online folio documenting studio progress and evidence of process through curated photographs, images and descriptions.

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.

Digital 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.

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.

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.

In the event of 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. In the event of a disruption, the University and your course coordinators will make every effort to provide you with up to date information via Canvas and the University website.

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 you may be asked to submit your 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. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

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 240 : Designing with Data

Creative Arts and Industries

2021 Semester Two (1215) (15 POINTS)