Skip to main content
Unit outline_

IDEA9202: Experience Design Studio

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The aim of the studio is to explore new interaction possibilities offered by emerging digital technologies through a design-led approach. Each studio is based around one or more design projects, which address a specialised area of study, supported by lectures and workshops to introduce the relevant theory, knowledge and design precedents. The specialized areas of study will vary from semester to semester, ranging for example from small-scale wearable devices to large-scale environments, and will reflect contemporary issues in interaction, art, design, culture and technology. The studio aims to develop the student's conceptual design abilities together with their technical skills, within the framework of a highly creative, research-based and human-centred design process. Students will be expected to apply interaction design methodologies to their project work and follow a design-oriented approach to the development of a solution, through experimentation and iterative prototyping.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
IDEA9106 and IDEA9105
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nina Hansopaheluwakan, nina.edward@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Nina Hansopaheluwakan, nina.edward@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation AI Allowed Participation and engagement
Participation and engagement
25% Multiple weeks
Due date: 30 May 2025 at 23:59
Canvas quiz/entries
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7
Attendance hurdle task AI Allowed Attendance
Students are required to meet the minimum 90% attendance to pass this unit.
0% Multiple weeks Duration of class.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment AI Allowed Assessment 1: Scope review
Scoping; research; case analysis. Mandatory assessment
20% Week 03
Due date: 12 Mar 2025 at 23:59
8-page pdf file
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7
Assignment group assignment AI Allowed Assessment 2: Preliminary concepts
Creative ideation. Mandatory assessment
25% Week 07
Due date: 09 Apr 2025 at 23:59
16-page pdf file
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5
Assignment group assignment AI Allowed Assessment 3: Design Proposal
Design proposal pack. Mandatory assessment
30% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2025 at 23:59
20-page PDF, video, prototype link
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

Assessment Item

Format/Length

Work Type

Weight

Due

Assessment 1: Scope review

8-page pdf file

Individual

20%

Wed 12 Mar, 11:59pm

Assessment 2: Preliminary concepts

16-page pdf file

Group

25%

Wed 09 Apr, 11:59pm

Assessment 3: Design proposal

20-page visual report, video, prototype link

Group

30%

 

Wed 28 May, 11:59pm

Participation and engagement

in-class and Canvas entries

Individual

25%

multiple weeks

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.

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:

- 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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction; Initial scoping Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1
A1 review and consultation Studio (3 hr) LO7
Week 02 Design research and ideation; case studies, analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO7
Mapping exercise, teamwork (forming teams and creating team charter); A1 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO6
Week 03 Client brief and presentation; topic exploration Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Team finalisation; A2 review and consultation Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 04 Audience and context, atmospheric semiotics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
A2 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 05 Space and social interaction; empathy and participation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO6
A2 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 06 Digital placemaking Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
A2 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 07 Lighting in spatial design; group presentations and peer review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
A3 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Prototyping in interaction design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4
Prototyping and A3 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Usability testing, evaluation; data collection preparation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO6
User testing preparation; A3 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 10 Aesthetics, discursive design, affordances; testing and review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Testing fair Studio (3 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Documenting design process; data analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO6
A3 consultations Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 12 Ethics of experience design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO6
A3 consultation Studio (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 13 Reflective practice and design futures Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO7
Final presentations and peer review Studio (3 hr) LO5 LO6

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 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. select and apply interaction design processes, methods and tools to help plan and carry out a research-led design project
  • LO2. generate and evaluate novel and interesting interaction design concepts in response to design briefs
  • LO3. identify and apply aesthetic principles to create and refine the aesthetic quality of design solutions
  • LO4. demonstrate competency in prototyping for novel and creative interactive applications and interactive experiences
  • LO5. communicate persuasively through diverse forms of media the value of design proposals and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • LO6. collaborate effectively as a team to bring together requisite skills to plan, implement and complete design projects
  • LO7. work independently, with an ability to make independent judgements, reflect, self-evaluate and self-improve, and incorporate the feedback of others.

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.

Lecture contents have been updated to cover learning outcomes. Rubrics have been redone with more explicit mapping onto learning outcomes.

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.