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Unit of study_

DECO1006: Design Process and Methods

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study provides an overview of a human-centred approach to the design of interactive technologies and environments. It introduces students to design thinking and how it can be productively applied to different design situations. The unit covers theoretical concepts, methods and tools used in human-centred design, including user research, ideation, prototyping and user evaluation. It provides students with the principles, processes and tools that are used in commercial design projects. Students learn to build empathy with users, identify the problem space, develop design concepts and persuasively communicate design proposals with an emphasis on the user experience through visual storytelling.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DECO1006
Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Joel Fredericks, joel.fredericks@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Independent Learning Tasks & Reflective Report
Post-tutorial tasks, report
30% Multiple weeks
Due date: 07 Jun 2021 at 22:00
8x weekly tasks, and 1000 word report
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO5
Assignment User-centred research
Report
30% Week 07
Due date: 19 Apr 2021 at 09:00
25 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6
Creative assessment / demonstration group assignment Design proposal presentation
Verbal presentation
10% Week 13
Due date: 31 May 2021 at 09:00
7 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5
Assignment group assignment Design proposal
Visual report
30% Week 13
Due date: 31 May 2021 at 09:00
25 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

 

A1: Independent learning tasks – Students carry out weekly independent learning tasks which are uploaded for formative feedback, culminating in a reflective report.

A2: User-centred research –  Students apply user research methods in response to a design brief and carry out data gathering, analysis and synthesis.

A3: Design proposal – Each group of students follows a user-centred design process to iteratively ideate, prototype and evaluate a design proposal that meets the design brief, and delivers a group presentation.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

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 for submitted work 10% per day for presentations

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to design Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Introduction to design Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 Visual thinking Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Visual thinking Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Design as a process Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Design as a process Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 User research part 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
User research part 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 User research part 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
User research part 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Data synthesis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Data synthesis Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Generating ideas part 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Generating ideas part 1 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Generating ideas part 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Generating ideas part 2 Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Prototyping Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Prototyping Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Design evaluation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Design evaluation Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 TBC Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
TBC Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Future of design Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Future of design Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Assessment 3: Student presentations Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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.

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.

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

  • LO1. engage in contextual inquiry to identify the need for a design
  • LO2. show competence in design ideation
  • LO3. communicate ideas and concepts visually
  • LO4. apply knowledge of the psychology of user experience to designing interactive systems
  • LO5. describe and explain activities associated with a design project
  • LO6. reflect upon and critique design activities using appropriate language.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Removal of online quizzes and replacement with formative learning activities that scaffold student understanding of the design process and specific methods.

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.