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Unit outline_

DECO3200: Interactive Product Design Studio

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This studio offers a context for students to apply design, technical and creative methods to the production of high-quality group work, with a strong focus on the development of high-impact portfolios. The studio allows students to apply methods and principles of human-centred design in the context of new product development, and to engage with new technologies for interactive product design. Assignments will take the form of flexible group projects, allowing students to develop proficiency in design and prototyping skills to a wide array of design problems that they may encounter in various industries. The unit will provide students with the skills to investigate and integrate advanced technologies into the design of objects with embedded information content and interactivity.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Callum Parker, callum.parker@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Design journal
Documenting the design process through individual journal entries.
10% Ongoing Multiple deliverables during semester
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Concept proposal
Proposal
20% Week 04
Due date: 24 Aug 2022 at 23:59
20 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Assignment group assignment Mid-semester report
Prototype and report
30% Week 08
Due date: 21 Sep 2022 at 23:59
30 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment group assignment Final prototype and documentation
Prototype, report, and video
40% Week 13
Due date: 02 Nov 2022 at 23:59
Multiple deliverables
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Concept Proposal: A mix of primary and secondary research will be conducted to explore the problem outlined in the design brief. Students need to form groups and create a concept proposal document.
  • Mid-semester testing report​: The primary aim of this assessment is to develop your prototyping and user evaluation skills. Building on Assessment 1, each group will follow an iterative process to explore and develop their design concept into a working prototype. The outcomes of this phase are the results from a series of experiments, prototypes and user evaluations.
  • Final prototype and documentation​: Building on findings from the previous phase, in this phase students need to finalise their prototype and create documentation to accompany it. Students are encouraged to continue iterating and improving their design in this phase.
  • Design journal and participation​: Throughout the duration of the unit of study students will be expected to participate in group activities and document the design process in weekly journal entries. The approach to documentation should show a balance between being descriptive and reflective.

Detailed information for each assessment item 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 Introduction to the unit and group formation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO7
Group formation and check-in with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Design research methods and analysis Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Ergonomics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Accessibility Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Focus topic Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Implemention Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Assessment help Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Assessment help Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Product design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Turning prototypes into products Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6 LO7
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Assessment help Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Assessment help Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Assessment help Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Scheduled group consultation with studio tutor Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 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. assess the requirements of a design problem
  • LO2. identify which methods for ideation, prototyping, and evaluation to use at what stage of a project
  • LO3. apply ideation and design methods for developing solutions that synthesise insights from a need-finding process
  • LO4. prototype designs that address complex problems through innovative ideas
  • LO5. evaluate the performance and experience of a design solution
  • LO6. reflectively document and present process and designed solutions
  • LO7. work effectively in teams and in an interdisciplinary context.

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.

Streamlined the assessment items, lectures, and tutorials. More structured consultation times with studio tutors.

Additional costs

There might be additional costs in the course depending on the design project.

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.