Outline

Overview

This unit provides an introduction to creative coding. It teaches an understanding of the fundamentals of computational thinking as well as skills in the design and implementation of software for creative expression and prototyping. It introduces students to tools for building interactive design applications through programming assignments, knowledge of programming concepts, and knowledge of the Javascript programming language. Key concepts covered in this unit include: object-oriented programming, control flows, and algorithmic thinking. Students learn how to design through the development of code, allowing them to incorporate programming into their own design projects as well as to collaborate effectively with software developers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Design Lab
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Liam Bray, liam.bray@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Computer assisted drawing machine Design and implement an algorithmic design using p5.js.	30%	Week 05	21 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	In-class quiz Complete a series of design challenges in-class.	30%	Week 08	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Interactive algorithmic system Design and implement an interactive algorithmic system using p5.js.	30%	Week 13	21 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Creative Coding Challenges Complete three creative coding challenges per week.	10%	Weekly	7 hours
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Computer assisted drawing machine: Design and implement an algorithmic design using p5.js. This task is completed as a series of creative coding challenges.

In-class quiz: Complete a series of design challenges in-class. The objective of this quiz is to test your knowledge and understanding of topics taught in design programming.

Interactive algorithmic system: Design and implement and interactive algorithmic system using p5.js. The design must incorporate interactivity.

Creative Coding Challenges: Complete three creative coding challenges per week.

Assessment criteria

A. Programming Proficiency: The student’s ability to locate, interpret, modify, and evaluate code from diverse sources. This includes the student’s ability to manipulate and analyse code from examples and other designs.

Exceeds Expectations	Above Expectations	Meets Expectations		Below Expectations
HD	D	CR	P	F
Proficient use of self-authored code demonstrating a thorough comprehension of programming concepts.	Original and self-authored code demonstrates a considered ability to comprehend, modify and integrate code.	Demonstrates an ability author and integrate code with sufficient comprehension of programming concepts.	Demonstrates an ability to comprehend original code through the use of modified, integrated programming concepts.	Student has not demonstrated an ability to author original code and/or the ability comprehend, modify or integrate code has not been demonstrated.

B. Design quality: The student’s ability to recognize, demonstrate and implement technical, aesthetic and human-centred design qualities. This includes the student’s ability to devise and justify an appropriate design solution based on the brief.

Exceeds Expectations	Above Expectations	Meets Expectations		Below Expectations
HD	D	CR	P	F
High-quality implementation of technical, aesthetic and human-centred design qualities.	Well-considered implementation of technical, aesthetic and human-centred design qualities.	Adequately considered implementation of technical, aesthetic and human-centred design qualities.	Satisfactory implementation of technical, aesthetic and human-centred design qualities.	Unclear and/or inadequate implementation of technical, aesthetic and human-centred design qualities.

C. Design Concept: The student’s ability to select, interpret, investigate and structure a response to the design brief. This includes the explicit integration of theories and concepts introduced in this class.

Exceeds Expectations

Above Expectations

Meets Expectations

Below Expectations

Excellent understanding of the topics taught in the unit. Presented in an aesthetically considered format to an exceptional level of quality.

Thorough demonstration and a solid understanding of the topics taught in the unit. Presented in an aesthetically considered format to a high-level of quality.

Satisfactory demonstration and understanding of the topics taught in the unit.

Presented in an aesthetically considered format.

Some demonstration and understanding of the topics taught in the unit. Some aesthetically considered elements.

Inadequate demonstration and understanding of the topics taught in the unit. Poorly presented and formatted.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Programming for Designers	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	Pattern Making	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	Simple Algorithmic Designs	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Designing Reusable Code	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Transformations and Events	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Data for Designers	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Working with Media	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 09	Object-oriented Modeling	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 10	Browser Inputs	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 11	The 3rd Dimension	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 12	Designing for Emergence	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 13	Development Session	Seminar (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

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

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Understand and communicate design decisions and the architectural constraints of computer programs.
LO2. Understand, modify and integrate code from diverse sources.
LO3. Create interactive digital artifacts by authoring programs.
LO4. Use a combination of computational and design thinking to synthesize interactive artifacts and explore programming as a creative medium.
LO5. Evaluate the technical, aesthetic and human-centered qualities of interactive digital artifacts.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

This unit offers a innovative approach to learning programming. The platform used to teach this class is the focus of a large educational research project and is continually developed and maintained by the staff associated with the class, using analytics and student experience to inform our pedagogical decision making.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

DECO1012: Design Programming

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

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect