Contemporary Design Issues

Unit Code:HDC005HK

Credit Points	Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12.5 Credit Points	1 Semester	36 Hours per Semester	External Venue	Nil

Credit Points

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

12.5 Credit Points

1 Semester

36 Hours per Semester

External Venue

Nil

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Bachelor of Design (Digital Media Design) (DDIG10), the Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (DCOM10) and the Bachelor of Design (Interior Design) (DINTER10) taught at City U, Hong Kong.

Aims & Objectives:

This unit aims to explore key issues in contemporary design and media practice and their relation to social, economic and political contexts. Students will be introduced to appropriate research and writing methodologies and apply these skills to design practice and projects.

At the completion of this unit students should be able to:

Investigate and analyse design and media issues in relation to social, economic and political contexts using primary sources;
Articulate a range of contemporary issues related to design and media practice;
Use a body of relevant critical theory in the form of an argument and apply it to design and/or media practice;
Develop a cohesive argument about a design issue (visual or written) that articulates a point of view, suitable for a published (professional) journal;
Participate in online discussions addressing design issues.

Teaching Methods:

This unit incorporates lectures and screenings, online tutorials, online discussion groups and excursions. Students will be required to work both collaboratively and individually on assignment work.

This subject will be conducted as a set of lectures and screeings, synchronous (real time) online tutorials and occasional excursions in the tutorial time slot. Lectures will be made available as video on demand and for pod casting, but students are required to attend screenings or arrange to view the audio-visual matwerial in their own time. Set readings will be available online through the library. Students will be required to read set texts, research independently and collaboratively to support online tutorials and project work.

Students will participate in a variety of research and writing activities that stimiulate debate and thinking about contemporary issues. They will be involved in project-based research activities. Students will be required to prepare by reading set texts for tutorials.

Assessment:

Note: Percentage weightings are indicative. See Unit Briefs for full assessment details.

Issue Assignment, 1500 words - 40%

Weekly tasks and contribution to online discussions - 60%

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Swinburne University works to produce higher education graduates who are capable in their chosen profession. Learners bring to Swinburne a diverse wealth of experiences and graduate with individual understandings, abilities and attitudes.

Within this context, HDCD005HK Contemporary Design Issues aims to provide students with the following attributes:

Are capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas;
Are entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community;
Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations;
Are aware of local and international environment in which they will be contributing.

Content:

The unit will explore a wide range of thematic areas that may include discussions on topics such as:

The role of design, new technologies and new materials in 21st century;
Cross/inter-disciplinary practices in design and new media;
Key contemporary practitioners;
Design philosophies;
Aesthetics in the 21st century;
Design for environmental, global and social sustainability;
Concepts of user-centred design.

Reading Materials:

Antonelli, P 2005 Safe: Design Takes on Risk, MOMA, New York.
Easthope, A & McGowan (eds.) 1992 A Critical and Cultural Theory Reader. Allen and Unwin. Sydney.
Heskett, J 2002 Toothpicks and Logos: Design in Everyday Life, Oxford University Press. New York.
Lunenfeld, P (ed) 2000 The Digital Dialectic, MIT Press, USA.
Lupton, E 2002 Skin: Substance and Design, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian & Princeton Arch. Press, USA.
Mau, B, (ed.) 2004 Massive Change, Phaidon, London.
Thackara, J 2006 In the Bubble: Designing in a Complex World, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, USA.