DNB310 ID Studio 6: Systems Design

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces the concept of systems thinking and its application to design to solve complex societal, cultural and environmental challenges. It advances on Industrial design concepts, methods, strategies and processes for innovation with a particular focus on future products and systems. It also builds and consolidates knowledge and experience gained in earlier Industrial Design units, in particular skills and knowledge in the area of systems design. To be able to tackle the most critical problems of our time, we must broaden our view to incorporate a more holistic and comprehensive view of design and systems. This requires the understanding and application of novel systems thinking approaches to the design of products, services and systems that are viable, feasible and desirable for people and the environment.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Apply well-developed cognitive, technical and communication skills
2. Apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical design knowledge
3. Integrate skills and knowledge to demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement and responsibility through project management.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit may consist of lectures, design studios and discussions. The focus is on project based learning in the design studio setting where your work will be supported by lectures, one-to-one and group activities, feedback sessions, blended material, and workshops. In studio you may be required to present your work for discussion in a group situation where you will have an opportunity to explain your research and/or designs and receive feedback from your peers and staff. A key component of the studio is for students and staff to work together to learn about design. Your active participation and a sense of personal responsibility for your development as a designer are essential for success.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in following ways:

• in-class formative exercises
• criteria sheets
• Canvas general comments to cohort group
• collaborative peer feedback.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment will comprise of formative (how your work is progressing) and summative assessment (to grade your work against expected outcome). Formative assessment will be provided over the course of the project in studio for the Design Concept and Design Development Record (DDR), which will record your design process. Design Concept, DDR and Presentation of the design/s will receive summative and formative assessment at the conclusion of the project. Short design exercises will be conducted in studio and generally submitted at the end of class for assessment. Summative assessment applies the criterion referenced assessment relevant to each assessment task.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Exhibit concept designs

You will undertake an analysis of an existing system and develop concept designs based on the themes and criteria defined in your design research. The focus will be on identifying areas for improvement and proposing solutions through the creation of design concepts, which will be presented and exhibited using appropriate communication techniques.

Assessment: Integrated system design

Assessment: Annotated visual record

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students and staff who access campus buildings and facilities are required to complete the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction. This must be completed online.

Resources

Resource Materials

Other

To enable your full participation in the virtual learning environment, for example, participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.

Risk Assessment Statement

You are required to have undertaken a J Block Workshop induction as part of this unit. Further information on this will be made available early in the semester.

For risks associated with using campus buildings or facilities, refer to the Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction.

There are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues for this unit; however, J-Block workshop usage may be required. Prior to workshop access all students are required to complete the General Safety Induction and the J-Block workshop induction that introduce safety regulations. Students who do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace and Health and Safety Act will be asked to leave workshop.

Where substantial computer-based work is required, particularly in the case of fully online students, you are recommended to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.

Course 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: ULO2, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
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: ULO2, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
3. Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
   Relates to: ULO1, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
4. Demonstrate technical proficiencies to undertake rigorous and iterative design experimentation that considers participatory and co-creation design processes.
   Relates to: ULO1, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
5. 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: ULO1, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
6. Employ iterative approaches for open, collaborative and experimental design solutions using an entrepreneurial mindset.
   Relates to: ULO3, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
7. Independently demonstrate an ethical, sustainable and holistic approach to design, that critically considers impact.
   Relates to: ULO3, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record

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: ULO2, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
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: ULO2, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
3. Evaluate and translate conceptual and critical design methodologies and tools and transfer to new and complex challenges.
   Relates to: ULO1, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
4. Demonstrate technical proficiencies to undertake rigorous and iterative design experimentation that considers participatory and co-creation design processes.
   Relates to: ULO1, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
5. 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: ULO1, Exhibit concept designs, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
6. Employ iterative approaches for open, collaborative and experimental design solutions using an entrepreneurial mindset.
   Relates to: ULO3, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record
7. Independently demonstrate an ethical, sustainable and holistic approach to design, that critically considers impact.
   Relates to: ULO3, Integrated system design, Annotated visual record