Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides a format for deep engagement with design and innovation methods. Students will develop responses to a real-world design problem that requires the application of students' existing disciplinary skills combined with knowledge in an interdisciplinary context. Projects are student-led, allowing students to identify projects that are linked to their interests and discipline-specific career paths. Through interactive group work, facilitated by experienced design mentors, students will learn how to negotiate interdisciplinary requirements and boundaries. All projects developed in this unit of study are expected to address some element of innovation in an existing product, service or process. Students will be able to apply methods acquired in other units of study, and will learn about new methods through weekly project work and reviews.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	DECO2016 or DECO1006
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rohan Lulham, rohan.lulham@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Kathryn Lee, kathryn.lennon@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Attendance	Attendance Students are required to meet the minimum 90% attendance to pass this unit.	0%	Multiple weeks	Duration of class
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Team manifesto Group report	10%	Week 03 Due date: 16 Mar 2025 at 23:59	2-4 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Research insight discussion Oral discussion	0%	Week 03 Due date: 13 Mar 2025 at 10:00	2 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Positionality and design Learning and reflective journal	15%	Week 03 Due date: 16 Mar 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 30 Mar 2025	600-800 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Social enterprise concept report Group report	20%	Week 07 Due date: 13 Apr 2025 at 23:59	15-20 pages/ 1800- 3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Innovation, iteration & design Learning and reflective journal	15%	Week 09 Due date: 04 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 18 May 2025	600-800 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection on practice learning and reflective journal	15%	Week 12 Due date: 25 May 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 08 Jun 2025	600-800 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Social enterprise pitch & poster Group presentation & artifact	25%	Week 13 Due date: 29 May 2025 at 09:00	10 minutes including Q&A / AO poster
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ? = early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Team Manifesto: Student teams will develop a team manifesto that will describe the team, team member capabilities and roles, and how you will collaborate productively and resolve conflicts.
Research insight discussion: Students individually describe one early insight from their research on the project.
Social enterprise concept report: Students in teams will craft a report that demonstrates how through design research, synthesis and ideation the team has developed, tested and iterated value propositions and initial prototypes looking for sources of innovation and value to meet their brief
Social enterprise pitch and poster: Student teams will pitch their final social enterprise concept to the class and an external panel in week 13. Following the pitches is an informal exhibition where each team exhibits a poster related to their project with additional informal discussion with panel members and students.
Learning and reflective journal: Students will document and analyse their learning and experiences with reference to specific themes in week 3, 9 and 12. The emphasis is around demonstrating connections between these themes and your experiences practicing and learning about design in this unit.
More detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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.

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	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

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.

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 and overview Positionality and teams	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Sponsor briefing: Design process and iteration	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Research, return briefs and understanding users and context	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Ideation & innovation: Digging deeper/ broader	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Frame creation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Prototyping services, concepts & businesses	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Design documents Ecosystems and realisation/ implementation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Prototyping services, concepts & businesses	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Theory of change : Metaphor	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Implementation - Sustainment	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Guest presentation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Presenting and Pitching	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Final Pitch and Poster Exhibition	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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

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 the requirements of a design problem
LO2. identify which methods for ideation, prototyping and evaluation to use at what stage of a project
LO3. apply ideation and design methods for developing solutions that synthesise insights from a need-finding process
LO4. prototype designs that address complex problems through innovative ideas
LO5. evaluate the performance and experience of a design solution
LO6. reflectively document and present process and designed solutions
LO7. work effectively in teams and in an interdisciplinary context.

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.

Changes to the assessments as the previous assessment required students to work individually initially and submit a report and then form groups mid way through semester. This meant the group work was quite shallow and limited. It has been changed so the individual assessments are reflections of the project and learning in the unit that demonstrates there learning.

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

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DECO3101: Innovation Design Studio

Semester 1, 2025 [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) and automated writing tools

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links