DESIGN 300 : Design Research Methodologies

Creative Arts and Industries

2024 Semester One (1243) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Introduction to a range of key design methodologies that inform contemporary design thinking, research and practice within Aotearoa New Zealand, with reference to Mana Moana philosophies of making and community. Drawing on methodological principles, students learn how to develop design strategies, apply design processes and test their design concepts. Consideration will be given to the phasing and planning of design investigations from data analytics to design concepts to practical methods and proposed solutions.

Course Overview

Design Research Methodologies is a level 3 course focused on the design practice and research loop and developing basic research skills. Students will learn how to conduct background-contextual research and select appropriate design processes, methods, and tools to create a design project proposal in preparation for Design 301: Advanced Design Methods Capstone.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: DESIGN 100, 101 and 90 points from DESIGN 200-243

Capabilities Developed in this Course

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
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Design

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop a theoretical basis for the development of the Capstone project. (Capability 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 6.1 and 8.1)
  2. Become conversant with appropriate methodologies of review and analysis. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.2, 7.1 and 8.1)
  3. Aggregate a diverse array of design research sources into a critical essay format using appropriate referencing. (Capability 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.2)
  4. Effectively communicate a design project proposal justified by appropriate background-contextual research. (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Design toolkit comparison 30% Group & Individual Coursework
Design Project Proposal 40% Individual Coursework
Peer-review readings and studio culture 30% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Design toolkit comparison
Design Project Proposal
Peer-review readings and studio culture

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

Teaching & Learning Methods

This 12 weeks course is conformed by weekly in class one-hour lecture and two-hour tutorials. It is expected that students engage in 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 7.5 hours of work on assignments beyond class.

Students are expected to attend in-person sessions 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. Any further engagement will contribute to achieving higher than a passing grade.

Students are required to regularly check Canvas site for specific instructions and updates.

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 weekly sessions to complete components of the course. Lectures will be scheduled in advance and announced to students via Canvas. Guest lectures will be recorded and disseminated subject to the guests' approval.

Other learning activities, including workshops and tutorials, will not be available as recordings. The course will require students to participate in online forums involving group discussions and share studio outputs.

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.

BYOD - 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

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.

Part of this course may require additional resources. This may include specialised materials, tooling, hardware, or software. Where possible, the programme will supply these items to students at cost price through the CAI shop; however, students also need to be prepared to source these items at their own expense.

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.

The feedback from previous years has been integrated into the course resulting in a better alignment with the advance capstone project.

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.

Published on 27/10/2023 01:56 p.m.