University of Technology Sydney

84000 Product Design Special Project

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 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Design, Architecture and Building: Design
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (84117 Product Design Communication B AND (48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10304 Bachelor of Design Product Design OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10305 Bachelor of Design Product Design Bachelor of International Studies OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10323 Bachelor of Design Product Design Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10428 Bachelor of Design Product Design Bachelor of Languages and Cultures OR 48 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09145 Bachelor of Design Product Design Bachelor of International Studies (Honours)))

Recommended studies:

available to all School of Design and School of Architecture students who have completed Year 1 of their bachelor degree

Description

In the framework of the newly formed Material Ecologies Design Lab, the School of Design is offering an elective on digital systems for sustainable production to both product design and architecture students.

The elective challenges students to speculate on the future of localised manufacturing using sustainable materials in combination with digital production methods. Students do this through researching and experimenting with new 100 per cent sustainable and/or 100 per cent recycled materials and apply them to digital manufacturing processes such as 3D printing and CNC milling. Students then develop the results of their experiments into new production frameworks through which they can design and make products.

Students work in groups for the duration of the session to develop individual projects and to create artefacts for exhibition and publication.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Identify opportunities within socio-cultural and technological contexts through design thinking.
2. Apply design research methods and translate them into a Product Design outcome.
3. Understand appropriate application of CAD to enable digital fabrication.
4. Develop design proposals iteratively through exploratory and experimental design development methods relevant to Product Design.
5. Manage complex design projects through commitment to studio and design iteration.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrated engagement with ideas and learning (A.1)
  • Commitment to ethical practices (A.2)
  • Effective tangible 3D representation (C.3)
  • Ability to work in teams and in multi-disciplinary contexts (C.4)
  • Ability to self-manage, including task initiation, allocation of time and realisation of outcomes (P.3)
  • Identify and execute research methods appropriate to the project (R.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject includes active and collaborative learning experiences where ongoing feedback is provided weekly in all on-campus engagements. It is therefore imperative that students prepare for and attend all on campus engagements according to the Program.

The subject consists of weekly 3hr design studios during some of which presentations and demonstrations will take place. The presentations will provide information around current recycling methods and their shortfalls, how citizen-based recycling may be possible and how involving people in the making process can create meaningful product attachment. Students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge gained from the demonstrations by applying that knowledge in the context of the design challenges worked through in the design studio sessions.

This subject uses an enquiry-based learning strategy that involves students researching and developing their own solutions to complex design challenges. The subject uses design professionals as studio leaders to ensure that all content and tasks are relevant to current professional practice in a global context.

Learning resources will be provided in forms such as videos, book chapters and academic papers. Prior to each design studio students will be required to review the learning material and reflect on how the material will be applied to their project, and discuss it with their studio leaders each week. The knowledge provided is information relevant to topics such as recycling methods, digital manufacturing and product attachment. Where to find or how to access resource materials is listed in the Program. In studio students will work collaboratively with their peers and studio leaders on their design projects. At the beginning of each studio the studio leader and the group will discuss the challenges they are facing with their projects in connection to the weekly studio topic. The studio leaders will be reviewing the work weekly and will provide feedback verbally. It is the students responsibility to record any feedback provided both in studio and after presentations. Students will be expected to actively participate in collaborative peer review feedback exercises. Students will also be supported by the level 2, Faculty Workshop and Advanced Fabrication Lab in the construction of models, tools and prototypes.

Grades, marks and feedback on final design submissions will be provided through Review.

Content (topics)

  • Design led research (aka research through design)
  • Research methods for design
  • Iterative design
  • Recycling of plastics
  • Digital manufacturing (3D Printing, CNC machining, laser cutting)
  • Tool making for low volume production
  • Communication of design process
  • Presenting through exhibition

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Research

Intent:


Verbal presentation of your research findings presented through a Journey Map and Catalogue of Objects.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2 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 and R.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 2: Final Design

Intent:

Final presentation of your design. Communicated through visual boards that includes annotated renderings of final design.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1 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.2 and C.4

Type: Project
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 40%

Assessment task 3: Prototype

Intent:

Robot printed sample of final design. Printed using reclaimed polystyrene.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

3 and 4

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.3 and P.3

Type: Project
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

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.