Outline

Overview

This practical unit explores a variety of drawing and observation skills. The emphasis is on exploring materials and techniques for process-based work related to drawing as a fundamental method in design. The focus is on the formal aspects of composition and perspective while the material nature of drawing is explored as a balance between chance and control. Each technique and approach will be presented against a background of architecture and art history and theory. Students are provided with the opportunity to combine observational skills with drawing techniques in order to encourage a personal vision and a commitment to the practice of drawing.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Koji Ryui, koji.ryui@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	In-class demonstration Progress of in-class tasks and research #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 20 Aug 2025 at 11:00	2hrs	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 1 - inside/out Assignment, portfolio	25%	Week 06 Due date: 10 Sep 2025 at 11:00	Flexible according to each project	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 2 - lines of flight Assignment, portfolio	35%	Week 12 Due date: 29 Oct 2025 at 11:00	Flexible according to each project	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Assessment 3 - Journal and process drawings Journal, portfolio	40%	Week 13 Due date: 05 Nov 2025 at 11:00	A5 Process Journal + flexible format	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Attendance: Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have approved special consideration may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment 1 INSIDE/OUT a suite of drawings based on guided drawing instruction in studio and on campus over the first six classes. Assessment will be based on application and participation in the course, level of engagement, workshop practice, production and completion of all work – both studio and independent. Self and peer assessment methods are utilised for evaluating work progressively and written feedback and summative grades are included at the final assessment stage. Studio drawing practice will be assessed continually on extension of drawing skills, understanding of composition, engagement with materials and development of concepts.

Assessment 2 The second project should reveal a progression in drawing skills from the first assessment. The work is a resolved drawing project incorporating multiple drawing concepts introduced in the studio. A verbal presentation forms part of the assessment.

Assessment 3 JOURNAL & PROCESS DRAWINGS A5 sketchbook is provided and documents your process and the development of drawings. The majority of it is your own hand-drawing. It may also include visual research e.g. some referenced photocopies of architects' and artists' work. The sketchbook should include:
• Completed drawing tasks & evidence of a creative approach to independent research
• Individual investigation and practical experimentation
• Research of relevant architects and artists

A sequence of PROCESS DRAWINGS are also developed over the course of the semester and presented in week 14 as part of Assessment 3.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

-5% per day

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Introduction to assignment 1; 2. ANALYTICAL DRAWING I	Studio (3 hr)
Week 02	PROCESS DRAWING / PROCESS DRAWING ASSESSMENT GIVEN	Studio (3 hr)
Week 03	DRAWING STRUCTURES I – COMPOSITION AND SPACE	Field trip (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Present process drawing proposal; 2. ANALYTICAL DRAWING II	Studio (3 hr)
Week 05	DRAWING STRUCTURES II – ABSTRACTION	Studio (3 hr)
Week 06	ASSESSMENT 1	Studio (3 hr)
Week 07	DRAFTING PROCESSES / ASSESSMENT 2 GIVEN: LINES OF FLIGHT	Studio (3 hr)
Week 08	SKETCHING IN AXONOMETRIC CADAVRE EXQUIS OF A BUILDING	Studio (3 hr)
Week 09	DRAWING DETAILS	Studio (3 hr)
Week 10	DIGITAL DRAWING	Studio (3 hr)
Week 11	GENERATIVE DRAWING Sequence & Iteration / Composition, surface, presentation / INTERIM DISCUSSION ASSESSMENT 2 PROJECT	Studio (3 hr)
Week 12	ASSESSMENT 2 PRESENTATION	Studio (3 hr)
Week 13	ASSESSMENT 3 PRESENTATION	Studio (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students should note that participation to all classes is essential. Please arrive on time and participate in the full class session.

Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Independent Study: In addition to 3 contact hours per week, students are expected to spend 6 -12 hours per week on independent study for this unit.
Absence: If you are absent from a class it is important that you do the work missed in class in your own time and submit the work for assessment at the specified time.

Suggested students to bring: own black ink pens.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Readings and learning resources for this unit will take the form of slide presentations in class and be made available to students as needed.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the fundamental role of freehand drawing skills in architectural design work
LO2. demonstrate a critical awareness of the complex relationship between aesthetics and the lived environment
LO3. use a range of secondary and primary research sources to develop your thinking and an increased spatial awareness and visual intelligence
LO4. communicate through sketch drawing
LO5. extend their understanding of perspective and section drawing, proportion and composition
LO6. demonstrate a familiarity with a range of drawing media including graphite sticks, pen, ink with nib & brush and restrained colour use
LO7. maintain a journal in which to draw on a daily basis
LO8. demonstrate personal self-reliance, by taking responsibility for self-directed learning.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

We value students feedback and the unit is updated on ongoing basis in consultation with the teaching team.

Additional information

The unit may be adjusted for each session. Please refer to information and materials provided on Canvas for any changes and updates.

Additional costs

Students are required to pay an additional material fee online in week 2 the latest. Payment receipt to be checked by the tutor in week 3. Students who have not completed the payment will lose access to assignment marks or materials required for this unit of study. Payment method will be advised via Canvas. Students also need to have a unikey printing account in order to print their images from the Mac lab in Week 10: https://sydney.edu.au/students/sydpay.html

Work, health and safety

Studnets are required to wear appropriate footwear to enter labs and workshops

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AWSS2015: Generative Drawing

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links