DXH701 IVD Research Studio 1


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 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:DXH701
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:((DXH601 or DXH602 or KIB338 or KIB309) and completion of 264 cp of study) or completion of 60 cp of Visual Communication units (DVB%)
Assumed Knowledge:

DXH701 is an advanced level unit to be completed in the final year of your course.

Coordinator:Jane Turner | j.turner@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 addresses advanced interaction and visual design theory and design research methodology, and their application and relevance to design in professional practice. Design research is a key component of many careers in interaction and visual design. This unit addresses this demand by providing an opportunity for you to develop a major design-led research project. This is undertaken in a studio setting, under the guidance of academic supervisors from the discipline. It brings together the skills and knowledge developed over the first three years of your degree and leads to the capstone studio unit DXH801.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Advanced knowledge of design-led research relevant to interaction design and visual communication (1-1)
  2. Advanced skills in interaction design and visual communication required to analyse complex design problems and scenarios (2-1)
  3. Advanced visual, interactive, prototyping, written, and verbal skills required the communicate ideas and design projects (2-5)
  4. The ability to apply advanced theoretical and technical knowledge and skills to the execution of design research and practical interaction and visual design projects, in an ethical, socially responsible, and professional manner (2-4, 3-1)
  5. The ability to independently develop a design-led research project in the field of interaction design and visual communication. (3-4)

Content

The content of this unit addresses follows the theory and methodological aspects of the major project. As such this unit will address design research methods relevant to Interactive and Visual Design and how these are applied within the context of design practice. Classes will review exemplars in the field, and consider the relationship between the methods and design outcomes.

The unit will cover the different tools and methods employed to generating new insights in interaction and visual design, as well as methods for engaging with users / participants, and conducting evaluations. Specific methods covered will include: user-centred design approaches, contextual inquiry, participatory and co-design methods, generative design methods, critical and speculative design, design future methods, cultural probes, prototyping methods. Evaluation methods will be covered in respect to the specific design project, and undertaken in studio time. Studios will focus on the supporting the undertaking of the selected design-led projects, and developing professional and scholarly approaches to design critique, and evaluation.

Learning Approaches

This unit is undertaken in an authentic studio setting modelling the dynamics of a design studio or design research group. In the studio you will work on either an individual design-led research project, or take on a role within an existing design research project. Learning is supported through a combination of classes and supervision in the studio from teaching staff. Classes will include guest presentations from leading researchers and designers.

The studio experience is marked by a focus on the externalisation of design ideas and proposals for critique and discussion. This involves a mix of peer learning and academic supervision. Learning approaches will focus on project-based learning, individual self-directed learning, experiential learning, and reflective practice.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways: comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets; criteria sheet grading; feedback from teaching staff and peers in studio.

Assessment

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Design Proposal

For this assignment you are required to develop a proposal for a design project that you will undertake as the major work in the final year of B Design (Honours) (IVD). The proposal will include a relevant background material supporting your design and methodology. You are required to propose a framework for evaluation, which you will complete in semester 1, with the outcomes submitted in assignment 2.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 40
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Mid Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Assessment: Design Research Presentation

For this assignment you are required to submit initial prototypes and the supporting design research for your major project. This will include findings from case studies and evaluation of best practice in the field, results from user research, and outcomes from the evaluation of designs and prototypes. The assignment will include a plan for completion of the project in DXH801 in semester 2.

The work will be presented in a viva voce supported by visual materials.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Late Semester
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

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. Additional safety inductions may be required for this unit.

Further information can be found on the unit Canvas site. 

Costs

Design Studio materials and resources for artefact creation for assessment items.

Resources

There are no required references.

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Downton, P. 2003, Design research, RMIT Publishing, Melbourne.

Koskinen, I.K. 2011, Design research through practice: from the lab, field, and showroom, Morgan Kaufmann/Elsevier, Waltham, MA.

Laurel, B. 2003, Design research: methods and perspectives, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.

Leonard, N. & Ambrose, G. 2012, Design research: investigation for successful creative solutions, AVA Academia, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Risk Assessment Statement

Further information can be found on the unit Canvas site.