DESIGN 102G : Design for Sustainable Futures

Creative Arts and Industries

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

New opportunities are continually emerging in the field of design. This course introduces design as strategy, demonstrating how contemporary design practices have evolved, responded to, and influenced change. By developing a design project that responds to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, students will learn how design thinking complements current practice and expands career prospects.

Course Overview

The emphasis throughout the course is on design as mindset, process and strategy – students will engage in creative, hands-on making to explore these approaches, although no design software skills will be taught in class.

This course has three main themes of 'discovery', 'exploration', and 'application'. The first theme is an opportunity to explore historical design approaches to analyse their formal characteristics, and social and environmental impacts. Students gain insight into what motivates designers, what tools they use, and how they collaborate in diverse contexts. They will also develop aspirational design profiles based on current interests, fields of study, predicted trends and potential collaborations. 

This informs the second stage of the course where students will learn how to research and speculate on the potential conditions, causes and complexities for future design practices, and learn by doing. 

For the third theme, students will apply analytical and practical design methods to prototype a solution inspired by their investigations and design profile. This will be an opportunity to experiment with concepts not limited to current circumstances, and a chance to reflect on how an understanding of design can support visions of sustainable life-worlds and regeneration on planet Earth.  

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

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: University

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify and analyse a selection of critically recognised design solutions using research methods and evaluation techniques introduced. (Capability 2, 3 and 4)
  2. Research and present a design solution in response to a given global challenge for a specific social context (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  3. Demonstrate a familiarity with design as a socio-technical phenomenon and formulate a position in relation to this (Capability 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8)
  4. Demonstrate familiarity with iteratively developing a design project while documenting a process and its evolution through successive prototypes (Capability 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Design Reviews 30% Individual Coursework
Design Project 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Reflection 20% Individual Coursework
Peer Feedback 10% Peer Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Design Reviews
Design Project
Reflection
Peer Feedback
The grade of DNC (did not complete) is assigned a grade point value of zero and is used when a student fails to complete compulsory coursework despite earning over 50%, or when coursework is incomplete and a fail grade would misrepresent their achievement.

Teaching & Learning Methods

Each week there will be a one-hour lecture and a two-hour design tutorial scheduled to include activities such as project workshops, industry demonstrations, and feedback sessions. 

Teaching and Learning methods are active, experiential, collaborative, and project-based. Lectures introduce key concepts, tools and readings following a one-to-many format with opportunities for wider discussions amongst students, tutors and guest speakers. These lectures are recorded for remote viewing. Students are exposed to design thinking systems through the use of templated tools that break projects down into structured phases using a 'learning-by-doing' model. 

A flipped classroom methodology is employed to allow students to engage in deep discussion with tutors and classmates during tutorial time while they work with tools and concepts introduced in earlier sessions. Templated project phases and analytical tools worked on in class are accessible remotely and can be completed outside of class in an asynchronous, collaborative online environment. Students are able to discover issues, innovate solutions, and bring questions to tutorials 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 workshops and feedback sessions will contribute to achieving higher than a passing grade. Asynchronous online collaborative tools allow students to catch up on work through communication and co-operation with tutors and teammates.

The major assessment task is a group project, which has been designed using a constructivist  methodology to encourage peer-to-peer learning, cross-pollination, diversity of perspective, robust thinking, 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 tutorials and an emphasis on manākitanga and fun.

Exam Mode

There is no final exam for this course.

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 lectures and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
The course will include live events including group discussions/tutorials.
Miro will be used to facilitate asynchronous group work and blended learning experiences in tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for all assignment presentations.
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.

A laptop is highly recommended to bring to lectures and tutorials. This will allow students to individually engage in research, design and development activities.

An A4 sketch pad and drawing materials are essential tools for designers. 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.

A Miro Education Plan account will be needed to use course templates.

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.

We will introduce more embodied, making-based activities that foster whanaungatanga—the sense of connection and community—which will support well-being, collective creation, and meaningful exchanges. These activities may include team-building exercises, reflections on personal styles of collaboration, and positionality workshops.

We will simplify Miro templates to make them more open-ended and adaptable, providing opportunities for more individual contributions within the group project framework. 

We will adjust the Assignment 3 structure so that students submit and receive feedback regularly, allowing for more timely input on their critical discussions.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and DALL.E 2, may only be used in assessments approved by the Course Director/Course Coordinator. Without permission, students must complete assessments independently, without substantial assistance from AI tools. In approved assessments, students must include a written statement detailing any tool’s use and the prompts applied. 

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

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.