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Unit outline_

AWSS1001: Architectural Sketching and Drawing

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to provide the student with the knowledge, skills and aptitude required to use a range of fundamental architectural sketching and drawing skills based on observation of the physical world, in particular the built world. Students will be encouraged to develop a commitment to the practice of drawing as a fundamental design skill through 13 studio classes coupled with independent study. The workshop places an emphasis on keen observation, experimental use of materials and engagement with historical frameworks used in design practice in design and architecture. Exposure in studio to the sensitivities offered by different drawing materials and techniques will give students the competency to more confidently use drawing as a communication device. Skills in perspective drawing are introduced and drawing is used to document the visible world and define structure and detail. On successful completion of this unit of study students will have demonstrated familiarity with a range of drawing media and techniques, including charcoal, graphite, pen, brush and ink, and an introduction to colour. Students will understand the importance of maintaining a sketchbook as a site to record all their visual and conceptual research, and in which to draw on a daily basis as a means to develop ideas and technical proficiency.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Architecture
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
DESA1601 or DESA1602
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Koji Ryui, koji.ryui@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Portfolio assessment 1
Portfolio, discussion, due week 9 for special cohort
25% Week 08 6 drawings, 3 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Assignment Portfolio assessment 2
Portfolio and discussion, due week 15 for special cohort
35% Week 13 6 drawings, 1 model, 3 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Journal
Journal, due week 15 for special cohort
40% Week 13 A4 Process Journal pdf
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Assessment 1: A presentation of studio work to date, showing both resolved ideas and working drawings. Incomplete drawings or drawings deemed unsatisfactory by the student should still be included to indicate process and progress.
  • Assessment 2: A detailed assessment guide will be provided for this task by week 7. Assessment 2 should indicate progress from week 5. The second set of drawings expands to include a resolved drawing project incorporating multiple drawing concepts. A verbal presentation forms part of the assessment.
  • Journal:  The journal documents all your research and process or development of drawings. It includes visual research e.g. referenced photocopies and sketches of architects' and artists' work, critical response to works seen on gallery visits, critical response to various approaches to drawing the built environment (e.g. expressive, constructed, measured). A detailed guide to the journal will be handed out week 1.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed.
The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis,
insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed.
The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight,
creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning
outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes
assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning
outcomes assessed.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Taking a line for a walk; 2. Studio intro; 3. Contour drawing; 4. Gesture drawing; 5. Negative space (delivered in week 6 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 02 1. Perspective: 1 and 2 point; 2. Drawing interiors; 3. Measuring to calculate distance and length (delivered in week 7 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 1. Building line and plane; 2. Drawing exteriors; 3. Perspective drawing in the field (delivered in mid-semester break for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 1. Value (tone); 2. Tonal value scale; 3. Dramatic light; 4. Observing where light falls on an object (delivered in week 8 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 1. Perspective and tone; 2. Perspective drawing with hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, shading; 3. Building tone and form once linear structure is in place (delivered in week 11 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 1. Colour; 2. Basic colour theory and composition in wet media (delivered in week 12 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 1. Plan, section and elevation; 2. Orthographic fundamentals; 3. Capsicum drawing class (delivered in week 10 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Assessment 1, review drawings from week 1 – 4 (delivered in week 9 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 1. Section drawing; 2. Drawing landscape sections integrating capsicum drawings as built form (delivered in week 10 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 1. 2 dimension composition; 2. Collage (delivered in week 13 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 1. 3 dimension composition; 2. Model making (delivered in week 13 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 1. Tonal drawing from 3 dimension model; 2. Drawing as communication; 3. Graphic techniques for presentation (delivered in week 14 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Assessment 2, Verbal presentation, group discussion and feedback (delivered in week 15 for special cohort) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and Study Commitment:

The School’s requirement of 90% attendance is waived. Participation in this unit is required via online components.

Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Independent Study: In addition to 3 contact hours per week, students are expected to spend 6 -12 hours per week on independent study for this unit.
Absence: If you are absent from a class it is important that you do the work missed in class in your own time and submit the work for assessment at the specified time.

Additional materials (students to bring): 30cm ruler, NT box cutter and/or Stanley knife for sharpening pencils and model making (above included in tool kit available to purchase from Design, Modelling and Fabrication Lab), black fine liner pens, 7 x small containers/jars with lids (for taking paint home in week 9), fixative (or hairspray) optional for week 1 and 4.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand the fundamental role of freehand drawing skills in architectural design work
  • LO2. demonstrate increased spatial awareness and visual intelligence
  • LO3. communicate through drawing
  • LO4. demonstrate an understanding of perspective and section drawing, proportion and composition
  • LO5. demonstrate familiarity with a range of drawing media including graphite, pen, charcoal, ink with nib and brush, colour and collage
  • LO6. commit to maintain a journal in which to draw on a daily basis.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Unit is constantly updated in consultation with the tutors

The unit may be adjusted for each session. Please refer to information and materials provided on Canvas for any changes and updates. 

Additional costs

Students are required to pay a material fee of $55 online in week 2 the latest. Payment receipt to be placed on the last page of the journal to be checked by the tutor in week 3. Students who have not completed the payment will lose access to materials required for this unit of study. Payment method will be advised via Canvas. This material fee will supply students: A4 Sketchbook, A1 Cartridge Paper (110gsm tbc) (1 sheet / student / per lesson), A2 Cartridge (110gsm tbc) (3 sheets / student / per lesson), A2 tracing paper (1 sheet / student / per lesson), Technograph Pencils (2B, 4B, 8B), Grafcube graphite 6B and 3B, willow charcoal thin and thick, compressed charcoal, masking tape, putty & standard erasers, acrylic colour and brushes.

Work, health and safety

*Students are required to wear appropriate footwear to enter labs and workshops

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.