Design Thinking

Description

The aim of this subject is to help students develop their attitude, behaviour and thinking as designers. It aims to show them what the field of design looks like from the inside and to challenge preconceptions. Students develop their knowledge of design processes and design research techniques that are common to all design disciplines. Students learn a range of strategies for working in teams, defining design problems, researching design contexts, generating creative responses, evaluating proposals from different perspectives, and visualising the arguments for proposals. The subject also introduces students to the rigorous and self-directed learning environment of the School of Design.

Subject objectives

On successful completion of this subject students will have achieved the following:

1. you will understand and be able to describe the attitudes, behaviours and thinking styles that are common within the design profession

2. you will collaborate on interdisciplinary design projects modelled on collaboration in the workplace

3. you will make connections between creativity, criticality and reflection

4. you will learn to value the importance of curiosity, experimentation and risk taking in design education and design practice

5. you will practice self-regulation, motivation and time management

6. you will critically reflect on your own learning through a research journal and reflective writing.

7. you will learn to give and receive feedback in sensitive ways in studios and online using review and SPARKPlus.

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject also contributes to the faculty's five CAPRI Graduate Attribute Categories.

Teaching and learning strategies

1 hour lecture followed by 1.5 hours studio weeks 1-10.

Intensive three day full-time block teaching in week 11 off campus.

Studio activities and pre-class preparation includes active observation, iterative drawing, photography, spatial exploration and other visual research. Students work in an A4 journal outside class to prepare for studio and conduct independent research.

Face-to-face delivery incorporates a range of teaching and learning strategies including lectures, forums, discussions, studio activities, thinking and making exercises and student presentations. These are complemented by guided student reading and research, reflection on studio work, and group and individual project work.

Content

Tools and strategies for idea generation and evaluation

Different approaches to research ? including textual and visual material

Understanding and investigating the context of design

Good practice in critical reflection

Techniques for active observation

Techniques for creative exploration

Understanding and participating in group processes

Approaches to presentation and communication

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research Journal

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 5 and 6

Type: Portfolio

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 50%

Length:

Submission 1A: 4 pages hard copy submission.

Submission 1B: 8 pages (digital submission of file under 10mb).

Criteria:

Evidence of thorough engagement with weekly topics, including lectures and readings.

Evidence of relevant and high quality additional research, properly referenced using the Harvard Referencing system.

Ability to reflect upon and identify things you have learned in this subject so far.

Clarity of formal written expression including grammar and spelling.

Ability to design an edited journal, including effective use of imagery and clarity of layout.

Thoughtfulness of self-reflection evident in your self-assessment against the assessment criteria using ReView.

Assessment task 2: Intensive experimentation and project work

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 3, 4 and 6

Type: Project

Groupwork: Group, group assessed

Weight: 30%

Criteria:

Quality, depth and sensitivity of the observations underlying the project.

Creativity and ingenuity of design for representing your observations in your project.

Craftsmanship in use of materials and execution of your project.

Evidence of a reflective approach to group collaboration.

Assessment task 3: Reflective essay

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 3, 5 and 6

Type: Essay

Groupwork: Individual

Weight: 20%

Length:

Your word count needs to be within 10% of 1000 words. Files need to be under 5mb.

Criteria:

Engagement with the reflective process.

Depth of analysis as demonstrated in the essay (including material from lectures, tutorials, and the camp).

Clarity of reflection, demonstrating quality in written expression, including correct grammar, spelling and referencing.