Outline

Overview

This unit of study gives students the opportunity to design an interactive system using the emerging technology of virtual reality (VR). The unit focuses on the new kinds of interaction and compelling experiences that are made possible by VR rather than asset creation (modelling, animation, texturing, etc.) or game development. Specifically, students will be encouraged to push the boundaries on the ways people can interact in embodied interactive systems. The unit will introduce students to interaction design theory and principles for immersive environments, such as VR. Students will also learn how to create VR user experience prototypes using software tools, such as Autodesk 3ds Max and Unity.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	DECO2200
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Howe Zhu, howe.zhu@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Creative work	Assessment 1a: Physical Virtual Reality Prototype Individual	20%	Week 04 Due date: 20 Mar 2026 at 23:59	Low-fidelity VR prototype	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 1b: Physical Virtual Reality Prototype – Presentation Individual presentation	5%	Week 04 Due date: 18 Mar 2026 at 11:00	Presentation (3-minutes) held in-class	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assessment 2a: Concept Report and User Testing Reflections Group Submission	30%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Apr 2026 at 23:59	Design Report (15 pages)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 2b: User Testing Session Group Interactive Testing	5%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Apr 2026 at 11:00	User testing held in-class (2 hours)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Assessment 3a: Interactive Virtual Reality Prototype and User Testing Group	35%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2026 at 23:59	Unity prototype and documentation	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Assessment 3b: Interactive VR Prototype and User Testing–Group Presentation Group presentation	5%	Week 13 Due date: 27 May 2026 at 11:00	Presentation (10-minutes) held in-class	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment 1a: Physical Virtual Reality Prototype
The aim of this assessment is to explore and communicate a VR interaction concept using low-fidelity physical prototyping techniques (LO4, LO5). Students will use materials such as paper to create a 360-degree prototype that demonstrates key interactions and spatial design elements. The submission includes a digital version of the prototype with multiple perspectives.

Assessment 2a: Concept Report and User Testing Reflections
This assessment focuses on collaboratively synthesising individual ideas into a cohesive VR concept (LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5). Groups will conduct background research, define user needs, communicate their concept through a prototype, conduct user testing, and analyse the data they collected. The deliverable includes a detailed design report outlining the concept, spaces, user interactions, and research findings.

Assessment 3a: Interactive VR Prototype & User Testing
Students will develop a functional VR prototype in Unity, demonstrating selected key interactions (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5). The prototype must be interactive, immersive, and tested with participants. Deliverables include the Unity project and a report documenting user testing insights, iteration plans, and reflections.

Each assessment is accompanied by an in-class component (5%), where students will articulate their design process (LO2), receive peer feedback, and demonstrate their prototypes.

Attendance:

Attendance in this unit is mandatory, and unexplained absences will result in penalties to your final grade. Specifically, if you miss more than one class and do not provide an explanation, your overall grade for this unit will be penalised by 3% per additional unexplained absence.

Absences may be explained by emailing your tutor with a valid reason for your non-attendance, which includes illness, caring responsibilities, misadventure, unexpected work requirements, or other personal circumstances, but not conducting regular paid work.

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:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when 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.

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	Introduction to VR and a brief history	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to Virtual Reality and 3D environment prototyping	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Low-fidelity prototyping in VR	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Creating 360 and immersive environments	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Interface design for VR and design principles	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Creating a low-fidelity prototype	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Assessment 2 Info and low-fidelity prototyping continued	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Assessment 1 presentations and forming groups for Assessment 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Cybersickness	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Creating Immersive Experiences	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Immersion and presence	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	User testing: Measuring immersion and presence	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Creating higher-fidelity VR prototypes and novel interactions	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Interactive Virtual Environments	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Assessment 3 Info and VR hardware	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Assessment 2 In-Class Component	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Designing virtual worlds and storytelling	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Interactions and creating 3D menus and interfaces	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	VR as a design tool? Rapidly prototyping using VR simulations	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Making your virtual world come alive with animations and sounds	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Applications of XR	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Assessment Development and Consultation	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Future directions of XR	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	User Testing Fair	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	The metaverse and beyond	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Assessment 3 In-Class Component	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students must attend 90% of this unit's timetabled activities to satisfy attendance requirements, or risk failing the unit. Late arrival or early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who are unable to attend class due to illness or misadventure must provide reasonable evidence to support their absence to be considered for an exemption from the attendance threshold. In this case, students may be offered the opportunity to complete an alternative assessment to meet the pass requirement for the unit. Students are expected to be actively engaged in their learning during class. This includes coming to class prepared (e.g. completed readings etc) and making respectful and appropriate contributions to class discussions. Students should refer to the School of Architecture, Design and Planning resolutions (https://policyregister.sydney.edu.au/doctract/documentportal/08DE2219FEF9F9588045F2E46B9ACB35) for specific information relating to attendance and participation.

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

See Canvas for more information.

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. assess and critique the user experience of an immersive application
LO2. reflectively document and present process and designed solutions
LO3. develop and test immersive software applications and systems that are correct, robust and well-documented
LO4. conceptualise and prototype immersive experiences
LO5. identify appropriate design principles for designing immersive experiences

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.

In response to student feedback, the assessment structure has been significantly revised to streamline the unit and better support skill development. Group presentations have been reworked into interactive user testing sessions, allowing students to engage more directly with design evaluation and iteration rather than formal presentation performance. Content delivery has also been revised to better align lectures and tutorials. Tutorial material will now be more evenly distributed across the semester to reduce the sudden and steep learning curve associated with Unity, with clearer scaffolding and progression between weeks. This aims to improve confidence, reduce cognitive overload, and better prepare students for assessment tasks.

Additional information

Sydney Design Lab

Additional costs

Although tutorials are based in computer labs we recommend that students use their own MacOS, Linux or Windows laptop for class as it will make working on the later assignment easier. However this is not strictly required.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DECO3009: Designing for Virtual Reality

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links