Outline

Overview

This unit introduces students to the context, complexities and methods of utilising design within a business context. Students will learn how to use design to link business, technology and people as a way to develop competitive economic, socio-cultural and environmental advantage in an increasingly complex world. The unit will cover design thinking, design innovation and design integration methods for driving this process and creating effectively-designed products, services and environments. In this unit, the aims and objectives of design management will be explored and students will learn to identify its relationship to the leadership and strategic aspects of organisations. This unit will cover approaches for conducting design-based research and contrast them to other methodologies within the design and business landscape.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Carla Sartori do Amaral, carla.amaral@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
Portfolio or journal	Design Task(s) Design tasks on Canvas during weeks 6-11.	30%	Multiple weeks	Mixed	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Empathize and learn Written report	30%	Week 04 Due date: 19 Mar 2026 at 23:59	1000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Design project Presentation Design project	40%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Creative work	Design project Extended Deck Design project	0%	Week 13 Due date: 28 May 2026 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Empatize and learn report: practice qualitative interviewing techniques by adopting the mindset of a beginner and use human-centered design approaches to learn from an expert
Design tasks: solving and discussing weekly design tasks and questions posed online, relating to topics and themes covered in lectures and tutorial sessions
Design project: in small teams, work to find, describe, and address a problem through design, culminating in a report and presentation.

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)

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% penalty per day late for assignments. Failure to present oral assignments will result in a mark of 0%.

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 design practice and management: what is design?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to design practice and management: what is design?	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Design practice I: skills, methods, and approaches	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Design practice I: skills, methods, and approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Design practice II: reflection, critique, and communication	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Design practice II: reflection, critique, and communication	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Design practice III: ideation and creative approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Design practice III: ideation and creative approaches	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	The role of sketching in design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	The role of sketching in design	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	How and why designers prototype	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	How and why designers prototype	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Hands-on prototyping and making workshop	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Hands-on prototyping and making workshop	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Guest lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Guest lecture	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Design thinking: designerly activities in organizational contexts	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Design thinking: designerly activities in organizational contexts	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Design management I: what is design management?	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Design management I: what is design management?	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Design management II: managing design and managing designers	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Design management II: managing design and managing designers	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Guest lecture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Guest lecture	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Presentations of design projects	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Presentations of design projects	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

For attendance:

90% of tutorials and studios must be attended. UCs will consider attendance with notice (ie if you are running late to class, or have had a medical emergency, you must notify your tutor otherwise you will be marked as late or absent). Failure to comply with the 90% attendance rule may mean a deduction of your grade of 5% for your overall mark for each additional day of absence.

For assessments:
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.

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School for additional requirements: https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture.html

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

Norman, D. A. (2013). Design of Everyday Things. New York: Basic Books.

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 aims and objectives of design management
LO2. understand design thinking, design innovation, and design integration methods
LO3. understand linking of business, technology, and people as way to develop competitive economic, socio-cultural, and environmental advantage
LO4. understand complexities and methods of utilising design within a business context
LO5. understand the relation between design management, design leadership, and strategic aspects of organisation
LO6. understand approaches to design-based research and how they differ from other methodologies within the design and business landscapes.

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.

Adjustments have been made on the timing and format of assessments.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

DESN9001: Design Practice and Management

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal evening] - 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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links