DYB222 Design Study Tour


To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.


Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online

Unit code:DYB222
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:Completion of 72 credit points of study
Assumed Knowledge:

Basic Academic Communication skills

Coordinator:Leo Rezayan | l.rezayan@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This unit provides an immersive learning experience, connecting you with recognised design practices and organisations. Open to anyone with at least one year of study, it’s ideal for designers and those eager to expand their horizons. Through a study tour, you’ll explore how design addresses real-world problems and shapes the future, refining your understanding of contemporary practices. You’ll develop valuable skills applicable across industries, enhancing your professional capabilities and network. This experience provides you with tools to succeed in the evolving creative economy, boosting your employability and fostering innovation in diverse contexts.  Whether you’re looking to boost your capabilities, expand your network, or enhance your employability, this experience will equip you to succeed in an ever-evolving landscape. 

IMPORTANT: Enrolment for this unit is by application only and will be available to students through the InPlace.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Research, analyse, and compile cohesive information about the culture and context of the Study Tour destination .
  2. Communicate ideas effectively to your peers and a professional audience using appropriate modes of communication.
  3. Identify and engage with professional practices within one or more stakeholders specific to your tour.
  4. Reflect and evaluate on your own involvement with the project and personal experiences during the study tour.

Content

This unit addresses content such as:
  • Understanding major Design precincts outside of Brisbane
  • The issues that pertain to prominent national or international cities and their Design practices and culture
  • Interaction with Design professionals, organisations and practices through site-based learning experiences.

Learning Approaches

The teaching schedule will involve an online presentation followed by international site-based teaching. The early presentation will provide an orientation to and understanding of the locations/sites to be visited as well as an opportunity to meet fellow students and the teaching team.

Once on site, you will be guided through various cultural precincts, where there will be an emphasis on immersive learning. Additionally, there will be discussion sessions and tasks during the period of travel to help you think through and understand the significance of the sites and organisations you have visited.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
As with approaches to teaching and learning, assessment will depend on the intentions and structure of the project as formulated and advertised by the relevant academic Unit Coordinator. 

Assessment

Overview

There are three assessments for this subject, one consisting of a personal introduction and research discussion, secondly a group Design Project and finally an individual design reflection.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Personal Introduction and Research

For this assessment, you will be creating two discussion board posts. You will be provided with topics and will need to video record and post a 500 word text/visual response.  The topics are a starting point for discussion, reflection and analysis of the cultures represented in the destination country.  As part of this assessment, you will view your cohorts posts and give constructive supportive comments (as a way to get to know your fellow travellers).

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 10
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 4

Assessment: Design Solution

Whilst on the tour, you will be expected to engage with all parts of the itinerary and be an active member of the group, while developing a more informed understanding of the local culture. You will be expected to come up with a design solution and take part in related activities and pitch your work.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Group
Due (indicative): Due Date will be during the Study Tour
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Personal Reflection

For this assessment, you will critically reflect on your experience and observation of the local and professional cultures and how this impacted your design project - including your engagement with the research, design ideation and process, feedback, and professional outcomes. 

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 20
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Due date will be one week after the completion of the Study Tour
Related Unit learning outcomes: 4

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

All travel costs will be announced well in advance to applications being open.

Resources

Required Text
There is no set text for this unit.

Recommended References
These will be provided by staff as relevant to the city or cities on the tour itinerary. Students are also required to research their own resources relevant to both the city and their specific creative discipline(s).

Risk Assessment Statement

All students are required to complete the CIESJ WIL modules prior to activity.
There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks for this unit other than those associated with national or international travel.

Course Learning Outcomes

This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.

DE43 Bachelor of Design

  1. Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
    Relates to: Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  2. Recognise the consequences of design and its impact on the world, with respect to open, ethical and inclusive core design values acknowledging global, cultural and / or indigenous contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Design Solution
  3. Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
    Relates to: Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  4. Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  5. Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
    Relates to: ULO3, Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  6. Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
    Relates to: ULO4, Personal Introduction and Research, Personal Reflection
  7. Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  8. Independently demonstrate an ethical, sustainable and holistic approach to design, that critically considers impact.
    Relates to: Personal Introduction and Research, Personal Reflection

DE45 Bachelor of Design - International

  1. Demonstrate theoretical and technical design knowledge, synthesising methods and theories of design in dynamic and evolving contexts.
    Relates to: Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  2. Recognise the consequences of design and its impact on the world, with respect to open, ethical and inclusive core design values acknowledging global, cultural and / or indigenous contexts.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Design Solution
  3. Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
    Relates to: Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  4. Communicate coherently, independently and/or collaboratively using a range of media to convey and share design knowledge and ideas to diverse audiences in a range of contexts.
    Relates to: ULO2, Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  5. Use transdisciplinary methods to effectively work in diverse teams to address real-world challenges.
    Relates to: ULO3, Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  6. Exercise self reflection, resilience, adaptability and self-direction and leverage failure in order to unlock new ideas, approaches, and ways of doing and knowing.
    Relates to: ULO4, Personal Introduction and Research, Personal Reflection
  7. Identify and challenge biases and demonstrate respect for personal and professional integrity, and cultural and social differences.
    Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Personal Introduction and Research, Design Solution
  8. Independently demonstrate an ethical, sustainable and holistic approach to design, that critically considers impact.
    Relates to: Personal Introduction and Research, Personal Reflection