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Unit of study_
DESN1001: Design Theory and Culture
2025 unit information
The role of design, and the designer, within contemporary society, is continuously evolving. This unit provides a concise overview of the evolution of design over the last century, drawing on some of the prominent theoretical frameworks, practices and perspectives that have influenced and shaped the discipline. In this unit, students will explore the shift from traditional production-based practices to human-centred design and more recent thinking around decolonised and post-anthropogenic futures. In interrogating discourse of design theory and culture, students will develop the fundamental principles and skills of scholarly research in the discipline, including locating and evaluating sources, critical thinking and reflection.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
| Study level | Undergraduate |
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| Academic unit | Design Lab |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. understand and identify historical and contemporary theories relevant to the design discipline
- LO2. identify and critically analyse theories that form the basis of design cultures
- LO3. apply appropriate design research methodologies to support research activity
- LO4. demonstrate a deep understanding of critical reflection
- LO5. communicate concepts visually and present in a professional manner
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
| Session | MoA ? | Location | Outline ? |
|---|---|---|---|
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Semester 2 2025
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Normal day | Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney |
Outline unavailable
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
