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Unit of study_

IDEA9201: Experience Design Laboratory

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The aim of this unit of study is the learning of key technical skills for prototyping and building interactive digital media within a creative design framework. The unit provides an introduction to the fundamentals of various software and hardware construction tools, and the technological platforms available for building sensor-based interfaces. Students will gain practical experience through a series of exercises and assignments.

Unit details and rules

Unit code IDEA9201
Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
IDEA9103
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rodrigo Hernandez Ramirez, rodrigo.hernandezramirez@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Fred Rodrigues, fred.rodrigues@sydney.edu.au
Joel Flanagan, joel.flanagan@sydney.edu.au
Yi Zhao, yi.zhao1@sydney.edu.au
Andrew Le, andrew.le@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment A1: Preliminary conceptualisation exercise 1: The Character of things
With the help of an AI image generator, design an artefact
20% Week 04
Due date: 15 Mar 2024 at 23:59
Maximum 15 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment A2: Preliminary conceptualisation exercise 2: Designing the apple
Design and coding task
20% Week 05
Due date: 22 Mar 2024 at 23:59
Maximum 15 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment A3: Design fiction prototype
Design the landing page of a fictional product (diegetic prototype)
40% Week 12
Due date: 17 May 2024 at 23:59
Brief doc, interactive prototype
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment A4: Peer assessment critique
Evaluation of Design Fiction prototypes created by peers
20% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
Report, 4 pages maximum
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

All assessments in this unit are mandatory. Failing to submit any assessment will result in a final grade of AF (Absent Fail). 

This is a brief description of the assessment items. For more information, please refer to the design briefs. 

Assessments 1 and 2: Preliminary conceptualisation exercises

These two exercises aim to practice the basics of interaction design, emphasising the role of aesthetics in form and expression, and also to explore the possibilities that AI generators bring during brain-storming and conceptualisation.

The three resulting designs will prepare students for the third and final assessment below.

Assessment 3: Design Fiction Prototype

From the knowledge gained through the tutorials and the previous assessments, the primary goal of this assessment is that students create a Design Fiction in the form of a landing page and Quick Start Guide for a speculative product. This product should serve as a “diegetic prototype”; a vehicle that elicits a critical analysis of the future and the consequences & implications of designed products. Moreover, the product should be a “future mundane” archetype.

Students will be able to create the interactive landing page using either Figma or—in case they are familiar with them—web technologies (HTML, CSS, JS). The prototype should be accompanied by a design rationale that outlines the reasons for selecting the chosen archetype and summarises the “what if scenario”. The landing page should be accompanied by a quick start guide for the product.

Assessment 4: Peer assessment critique

The aim of this assignment is to demonstrate your understanding of design principles learned in class by constructively assessing the Design Fictions created by your peers.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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 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:

In accordance with University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022, for every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to the late work. For work submitted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, 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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction Activity: The black box Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5
Introduction to the UoS and assessment items Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Generative AI tools & Natural Language Programming (Prompting) Tutorial (2 hr) LO3
AI and design Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Calibrating biases using annotated portfolios Tutorial (2 hr) LO5
AI Ethics & Algorithmic biases Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 04 The character of things Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Form and expression of interaction Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Designing the apple Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Aesthetic of interaction Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Introduction to Figma Tutorial (2 hr) LO3
Human–technology relations Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 07 Design Fiction: collecting faint signals Tutorial (2 hr) LO4
Design Fiction, an overview Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 08 Design Fiction: Selecting archetypes Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Science fiction and diegetic prototypes Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Week 09 Design Fiction: Developing “what if scenarios” & modifying tropes Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Storytelling and design Lecture (1 hr) LO4
Week 10 Design Fiction: Design & Fabrication Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Prototypes and prototyping Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 11 Assessment help Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Focus topic 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 12 Student presentation Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Focus topic 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 13 Assessment help Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Recap and assessment Q&A Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: University of Sydney School of Architecture Design and Planning Faculty Resolutions 2022

Clause 8 (3) (a). Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption.

 

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

Note: Items in bold are required reading,

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. 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. ability to 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

The syllabus for this unit has been completely redesigned in response to the MIDEA course review conducted in 2022. This is the first iteration of the new syllabus, with a greater focus on Experience Design with emerging technologies.

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.