DESIGN 240 : Designing with Data
Creative Arts and Industries
2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
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 (form, colour, motion and interaction) and Principles (Contrast, Movement and visual flow, Balance, Scale and proportion, Perspective and Depth and Rhythm) introduced in core first-year BDes papers. 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.
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| 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 |
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate familiarity with the historical, cultural, economic and sustainability issues impacting Aotearoa. (Capability 3.3, 5.5, 6.1 and 6.2)
- 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 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1 and 4.2)
- Demonstrate and apply skills in coding fundamentals, in conjunction with industry-standard graphic software, to develop projects. (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1 and 4.2)
- Demonstrate familiarity with presenting your work and critiquing the work of others in a studio pedagogical context. (Capability 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
- Demonstrate ability to pitch or succinctly and compellingly present a project. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3 and 5.4)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment 1: A sequence of primitives | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignment 2: Looped states | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Assignment 3: Interact | 35% | Group & Individual Coursework |
| Quizzes (x3) | 15% | Individual Coursework |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||
| Assignment 1: A sequence of primitives | ||||||||||
| Assignment 2: Looped states | ||||||||||
| Assignment 3: Interact | ||||||||||
| Quizzes (x3) | ||||||||||
Teaching & Learning Methods
- Presentation: by academics, technical staff and industry guests of new concepts and best practice
- Structured Workshop: skills development in visual narrative, 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
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 3 hours of contact time during weekly studios. Studios typically include an introduction to technical concepts, guest lectures, group collaboration, critique and an opportunity to solicit feedback from your tutors.
The remainder, 9.5 hours are comprised of 1.5 hours of preparatory reading and 8 hours of self-assessed study such as assignments, technical research and folio development.
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, assignment briefings 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 3 quizzes unless there are exceptional circumstances that are to be discussed with the course coordinator. 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
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.
All students enrolled in a Bachelor of Design or Design conjoint degree should come to class with their own laptop and software. 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
- Processing: the latest version can be installed on BYOD devices (Mac and Windows) for free at https://processing.org/download/
- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator (or an open-source equivalent): It is recommended they have it installed on their BYOD device. Alternatively, these software packages are 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
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.
- Coding: the key word here is 'consistency' – staff need to emphasis from day 0ne (and reinforce weekly), that it's critical that students utilise the 9.5 hours they have allocated each week to develop their processing skills. Also, see point 2 below.
- Class Structure: formalise class structure more (leveraging 'Liberating Structures' and 'Think Wrong' techniques) + utilise more peer-to-peer and small group learning opportunities (beyond the traditional one-to-one teaching mode).
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.