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User Centred Design Studio

Unit Code: HDG508

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

1 semester.

36 hours per teaching period

Prahran

Nil, however, it is recommended that students undertake HDG500/507 Design Studio – User Centred Design before this unit.

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points per subject

Related Course/s:

This unit is part of the:

Graduate Diploma of Design (Communication Design)

Graduate Diploma of Design (Multimedia Design)

Aims & Objectives:

This unit aims to apply broader concepts of User Centred Design via a studio project which explores spatial and product-based outcomes as a response to a research-generated project brief.

Using research from generated from Design Research Studio – User Centred Design, students will develop their project that expands upon their own research interests and may include projects such as:

•      New living patterns and products,
•      Museums, galleries and interaction systems,
•      Virtual and digital communications methodologies,
•      Lighting, furniture and prototyping,
•      Entertainment, socialisation and public interface,
•      Social, cultural, economic innovation,
•      New materials and convergent technologies,
•      Displays, libraries, education and information services,
•      Way-finding, facility and strategic planning,
•      The internet, hyper-surface and game technology.

Teaching Methods:

Teaching is conducted in a student-centred studio environment, through lectures, group discussions, site visits, demonstrations and critiques. Students present their work to the group at the end of each project.

Assessment:

30% Class Reviews. A number of submissions may be required during the course of the teaching period for review by the teaching staff and for presentation/discussion in class. You are responsible for meeting all deadlines and for completing all preparatory work prior to the class for which it is required.

70% project work. Assessable work comprises discussed design deliverables, documented evidence of contextual research, concept development, design process and rationale, plus the appropriate application of software. Project briefs clearly define conceptual parameters, detailed design deliverables, assessment criteria, presentation formats and due dates but students are responsible for actively participating in this process to develop independently conceived projects and a sound understanding of assessment requirements. Formative feedback is given throughout the semester to allow students to develop their work for final submission. Assessment occurs at the end of the semester and is based on the submission of a body of design work and a specified project brief.

Generic Skills Outcomes:

The (five) Swinburne graduate attributes signify that Swinburne intends that its teaching programs assist all its gradutes to be:
1. Capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
2. Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
3. Effective and ethical in work and community situations
4. Adaptable and able to manage change
5. Aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).

Content:

The unit covers the application of research methodologies to the creation and evaluation of design communications, products, services, environments, interactions, and/or experiences. The focus will be on how to iterate on design concepts and outcomes based on new sources of information and shifting design criteria.

Reading Materials:

Bernard, H. Russell, 2006, Research Methods in Anthropology, 4th ed.,
Laurel, Brenda, 2004, Design Research, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA
Lidwell, William, Kritina Holden and Jill Butler, 2003, Universal Principles of Design, Rockport Publishers, Beverly, Mass.
Norman, Donald, 2007, Design of Future Things, Basic Books, New York.

Students may be given a reading list and ongoing readings for discussion over the course of the semester. These readings will constantly change to reflect the topics discussed in the Design Research Studio.