85812 Design Methods

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.

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

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Design Methods is a space for extending upon and supporting the practice-based research work students develop in 85814 Independent Practice Project A. Students are introduced to additional design methods relevant to their discipline and are encouraged to develop their project ideas further through materials-based experimentation. This subject supports students to better define their practice area and communicate their findings to a range of audiences.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1.	Ability to define a researchable problem
2.	Communicate ideas clearly and confidently for creative, research and professional contexts
3.	Critically analyse and articulate a position in relation to precedent research
4.	Evaluate, develop and apply design and research methods
5.	Build advanced technical and aesthetic design skills
6.	Ability to derive and articulate the value of research for your creative practice
7.	Demonstrated capacity to engage with and integrate alternative points of view to advance socially responsible and culturally meaningful design practice.

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

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

Develop and apply an informed, sustainable, and ethical position in design practice. (A.1)
Communicate ideas clearly and confidently across various tasks in professional, creative and research contexts. (C.2)
Demonstrate awareness of design history and theory and critically reflect on existing design paradigms for problem setting and solving. (R.2)
Develop, analyse and synthesise complex ideas that are academically informed and well-reasoned. (R.4)
Evaluate, develop and apply research methods appropriate to the project. (R.5)

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

Your disciplinary tutors will lead you through a range of workshops and provide tutorial support.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Documentation stage 1

Intent:

Document and communicate the outcomes of your materials-based experimentation and position the direction of your major project.

More information will be provided by your tutors on the specific form the assessment will take, such as a journal, presentation or industry-relevant document. The due date may also be varied in line with your disciplinary studio program.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

1, 2, 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.):

A.1, C.2, R.2 and R.5

Type:

Report

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

40%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Direction & scope: Development of a unique direction for your project with an appropriate scope for a year-long Honours project	20	1	A.1
Communication: Creative and persuasive communication of outcomes and design research direction.	20	2	C.2
Researching precedents: Identification and analysis of relevant design and research precedents to inform your work.	30	3	R.2
Design methods: Capacity to apply a range of appropriate design and research methods to extend your design practice.	30	4	R.5

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Documentation stage 2

Intent:

Progress and refine your materials-based experimentation and communicate the progress on your major project.