84813 Product Design Professional Communication
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 84811 Smart Design
Description
Professional communication of design intent at various stages of the design process is critical in ensuring that clients, design team members and various stakeholders are able to understand, participate and respond to the inherit complexities addressed in product design projects. This subject brings together techniques and methods of communication specific to the product design profession through the development of presentation material designed to articulate salient and persuasive aspects of research and innovation outcomes associated with design projects, in a visually sophisticated way. It develops students' abilities to evaluate and employ appropriate communication techniques for whatever situation is presented to them. Students develop a deeper understanding of the critical importance of effective communication necessary in professional practice.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Develop effective use of methods to generate innovative product design outcomes. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Exercise critical reflection and evaluation on communication process. |
| 3. | Prepare and deliver well-structured presentations that clearly communicate design work. |
| 4. | Consolidate a number of presentation techniques in a cohesive and sophisticated manner. |
| 5. | Develop a committed and professional attitude to studio engagement. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrated engagement with ideas and learning (A.1)
- Effective written and oral communication skills (C.1)
- Effective visual communication skills (C.2)
- Demonstrated ability for problem setting and problem solving (I.1)
- Demonstration of aesthetic sensibility (I.3)
- Ability to self-manage, including task initiation, allocation of time and realisation of outcomes (P.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject involves a 3-hour weekly design studio with emphasis on computer-based presentation of product design work. Interactive lectures (in studio time), tutorials and workshops will teach students to present themselves and their work in a professional manner to prospective employers.
The subject includes active learning experiences where ongoing feedback is provided weekly in all on-campus or online engagements. It is therefore imperative that students attend all studio sessions as outlined in the Program. Commitment to participation, preparation (progress), and attendance will be assessed each week.
This subject uses an enquiry-based learning strategy that involves students in reflective critical research, development and refinement of their own product design projects. The subject is designed to support students in synthesising and illuminating their core design values and principles of practice inherent in their design work across a varied range of previously completed projects. The subject is supported by design professionals as studio and workshop leaders to ensure that all content and tasks are relevant to current professional practice in a global context.
Prior to each studio and workshop session students are required to prepare material such as sketches, reports and presentations, to be critically analysed in connection with their assessment tasks. The Program included in this Subject Outline provides guidelines for weekly progress. In the studios students will work on their design projects with a studio leader. At the beginning of each studio the studio leader will discuss with the entire group the challenges they are facing with their projects and will facilitate collaborative discussions. The studio leader will be reviewing the work weekly and will provide feedback verbally. It is a student's responsibility to record any feedback provided in studio. Students will be expected to actively participate in collaborative peer review feedback exercises. Students will also be supported by the Level 2, Faculty Workshop in the construction of prototypes if required.
Grades, marks and feedback on final design submissions will be provided through Canvas. Subject notes, readings, videos and announcements will be available through Canvas.
Content (topics)
- Structuring presentations
- Use of design methodologies
- Communication of all stages of the design process
- Presentation of design work
- Advanced level of Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, CAD and rendering techniques
- Professional development through generation of CV and portfolio documents
Assessment
Assessment task 1: CV and Bio
| Intent: | Prepare a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Bio to apply for a design position. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 2 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.1 and C.2 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 25% | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Product Design Portfolio
| Intent: | Prepare a comprehensive digital portfolio of your design work optimised and formatted for viewing on a tablet device and smartphone. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 5 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): A.1, C.1, C.2 and P.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Product Design Portfolio: Complete with Major Project Section
| Intent: | Prepare a special section in your Portfolio dedicated to your Major Studio Project Design - a design-led research project. Then complete you Portfolio with your Bio, Major Project, the previously completed section of your Portfolio (from Task 2) and the CV. The design of the compiled Portfolio must have a consistant style throughout and also be optimised and formatted for viewing on a tablet device and smartphone. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 5 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.1, I.1, I.3 and P.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 35% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
References
Sketching
Eissen, K. & Steur, R. 2011, Sketching: the basics, Page One Pub., Singapore.
Eissen, K. & Steur, R. 2007, Sketching: drawing techniques for product designers, Page One, Singapore.
Hampton, M. 2010, Figure drawing: Design and invention, Hampton, Michael.
Henry, K. 2012, Drawing for product designers, Laurence King, London.
Olofsson, E., Sjölén, K. & Umeå Institute of Design 2005, Design sketching: including an extensive collection of inspiring sketches by 24 students at the Umeå Institute of Design, KEEOS Design Books, Sweden.
Pipes, A. 1990, Drawing for 3-dimensional design: concepts, illustrations, presentation, Thames and Hudson, London.
Robertson, S. & Bertling, T. 2013, How to draw: drawing and sketching objects and environments from your imagination, First edn, Design Studio Press, Culver City, CA.
Sjölén, K. & MacDonald, A. 2011, Learning curves, KEEOS Design Books, Sweden.
Rendering
Powell, D. 1990, Presentation techniques: a guide to drawing and presenting design ideas, Rev edn, Macdonald, London.
Robertson, S. & Bertling, T. 2014, How to render: the fundamentals of light, shadow and reflectivity, First edn, Design Studio Press, Culver City, CA.
Robertson, S., Design Studio Press & Gnomon Workshop 2004, The techniques of Scott Robertson, Gnomon Workshop, Hollywood, Calif.
Shinizu, Y. 1990, Creative marker technique in combination with mixed media, Graphic-sha, Japan.
Engineering Drawing
Boundy, A.W. 2012, Engineering drawing, 8th edn, McGraw-Hill Publishers, North Ryde, N.S.W.
Graphic Design
Lupton, E., 2011. Graphic design thinking: Beyond brainstorming. (No Title).?
Lupton, E. & Phillips, J.C. 2008, Graphic design: the new basics, Princeton Architectural Press, New York.
Grid Systems
Elam, K., 2004, Grid systems: Principles of organizing type. Princeton Architectural Press.
Müller-Brockmann, J., 1981. Grid systems in graphic design: a visual communication manual for graphic designers, typographers and three dimensional designers. (No Title).?
Research Methods
Kumar, V. 2013, 101 Design Methods: a Structured Approach for Driving Innovation in Your Organization, Wiley, Hoboken, N.J.
Martin, B. & Hanington, B.M. 2012, Universal methods of design: 100 ways to research complex problems, develop innovative ideas, and design effective solutions, Rockport Publishers, Beverly, MA.
Milton, A. & Rodgers, P. 2013, Research methods for product design, Laurence king publishing; Laurence King Publishing, London.
Presentations
Chivers, B. and Shoolbred, M., 2007. A student's guide to presentations: Making your presentation count. Sage.
Leech, T., Leech, T. & Ebrary, I. 2004, How to prepare, stage, and deliver winning presentations, American Management Association, New York.
Portfolios
Linton, H. 2012, Portfolio design, 4th edn, W.W. Norton & Co., New York.
CVs and Job Applications
Leigh, J., 2013, How to Write: Successful CVs and Job Applications, OUP Oxford.
Other resources
Students, the following texts are provided to you by the UTS Library's eBook system.
A Student's Guide to Presentations: Making your presentations count (UTS ProQuest Ebook Central)
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/reader.action?docID=420910&ppg=2
How to Write Successful CVs and Job Applications (UTS ProQuest Ebook Central)
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/reader.action?docID=1591444&ppg=1
Graphic Design the New Basics (UTS ProQuest Ebook Central)
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/reader.action?docID=4518455&ppg=1
Graphic Design Thinking (UTS ProQuest Ebook Central)
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/reader.action?docID=3387597&ppg=1
Thinking with Type (UTS ProQuest Ebook Central)
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/reader.action?docID=3387329&ppg=149
Grid Systems (UTS ProQuest Ebook Central)
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/reader.action?docID=3387574&ppg=1
Youtube Channels:
KeyShot:
https://www.youtube.com/c/WillGibbons
https://www.youtube.com/c/keyshot/videos
Sketching and rendering:
https://www.youtube.com/@scottrobertsondesign
https://www.youtube.com/@sketchadaydotcom
https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelDiTullo
https://www.youtube.com/@producttank
https://www.youtube.com/@HarryChapmanDesign
https://www.youtube.com/@StaffsUniDesign