85841 Design Studio A

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: 18 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

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

Description

This subject involves the conceptualisation and development of a significant design project in the chosen discipline of Fashion and Textiles, Product Design, Visual Communication and Photography or Social Innovation. Students are guided through hands-on activities and workshops to experiment with ideas and techniques and identify the focus for their design project. Students develop these ideas through self-directed research and experimentation to create a set of artefacts that form the basis of their design project. Students document the development of their design project to communicate its evolving intent, innovation and significance. This subject operates as the studio space to explore more theoretical research arising within the 85810 Design Research subject.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1.	Conceptualise innovative designs that are sustainable and ethically informed.
2.	Communicate professionally in presentations of design ideas, processes, and outcomes.
3.	Challenge design convention and responsibly develop alternative design approaches.
4.	Develop complex and novel ideas with curiosity and imagination.
5.	Independently initiate and manage each stage of a design project effectively and professionally.
6.	Develop a contextualised practice-led design approach that is informed by research.

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)
Challenge design conventions and apply innovative design solutions to existing and emergent design practices and systems. (I.1)
Demonstrate conceptual rigour when developing ideas and versatility, curiosity and imagination when developing designed outcomes. (I.2)
Ability to self-manage, including task initiation, allocation of time and realisation of outcomes. (P.2)
Demonstrate awareness of design history and theory and critically reflect on existing design paradigms for problem setting and solving. (R.2)

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

This subject is run within a design studio model and will deliver a range of discipline-specific sessions through workshops, feedback sessions, mentoring, presentations and asynchronous activities. Your participation in workshops, iterative studio practice, self-directed learning and peer feedback are central to the successful completion of the subject. Sessions will be run on campus, unless the recommendations from the university change.

Content (topics)

Exploring design techniques
Identifying a project topic
Materials-based experimentation
Developing an argument for your design concept
Iterative presentations of your design process

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Project Stage 1

Intent:

To find your way into your project by engaging in a series of experiments that examine the relationship between design research and design practice, according to your area of interest. Your studio leader may provide additional instructions or due date variations for this assessment.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

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.):

C.2, I.1 and I.2

Type:

Presentation

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

20%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Ability to communicate key and relevant details concerning your design project proposal in a well-structured, clearly articulated and visually sophisticated way.	30	2	C.2
Demonstrated use of a range of methods used to experiment and evaluate the connections between design research and design practice to appropriately set the scope of your project.	35	3	I.1
Ability to independently create innovative concepts, processes, and strategies to address complex issues with curiosity and imagination.	35	4	I.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Project Stage 2

Intent:

To engage in a design practice informed by research to further refine your concept. At this stage, your artefacts will begin to embody the values and and enable the experiences you wish to make possible. Your studio leader may provide additional instructions or due date variations for this assessment.

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, I.1 and I.2

Type:

Presentation

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

30%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Demonstrated ability to engage in design practice informed by research to develop innovative designs that are sustainable and ethically informed.	25	1	A.1
Articulation of design ideas, process and outcomes that are well-structured, clear in communication and visually sophisticated and persuasive.	25	2	C.2
Continued and further developed use of a variety of methods to explore and understand how to both challenge design conventions and innovate new and exciting ways forward.	25	3	I.1
Ability to independently refine innovative concepts, processes, and strategies to more contextually address complex issues with curiosity and imagination.	25	4	I.2

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 3: Project Stage 3

Intent:

To prepare and present the final design concept you wish to take forward. Your studio leader may provide additional instructions or due date variations for this assessment.

Objective(s):

This task addresses the following subject learning objectives:

2, 4, 5 and 6

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.2, I.2, P.2 and R.2

Type:

Presentation

Groupwork:

Individual

Weight:

50%

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Demonstrated ability to effectively develop a contextualised practice-led design approach that is informed by research and design theory.	25	6	R.2
Ability to independently develop innovative concepts that address complex issues with curiosity and imagination evidenced in the process and final concept design presented.	25	4	I.2
Demonstrated ability to independently initiate and manage a design project professionally and responsibly evidenced in the process presented in connection with your time-plan for the next session.	25	5	P.2
Articulation of design ideas, process and outcomes that is well-structured, clear in communication and visually sophisticated and persuasive through all representations delivered.	25	2	C.2

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.