Outline

Overview

This unit of study provides an overview of a human-centred approach to the design of products and systems. It introduces students to design thinking and how it can be productively applied to different design situations. The theoretical concepts, methods and tools for the key stages of interaction design are covered including user research, ideation, prototyping and user evaluation. It provides students with the principles, processes and tools for working collaboratively on design projects in studio. Students learn to build empathy with users, identify and reframe the problem space, develop value-driven design concepts and persuasively communicate design proposals with an emphasis on the user experience through visual storytelling. This unit is a foundational core unit in the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts program.

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	Jody Watts, jody.watts@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Jody Watts, jody.watts@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	A1. Context exploration and mapping Mandatory assignment	10%	Week 03 Due date: 08 Mar 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 24 May 2024	7-10 pages, 1000 word visual report
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	A2a. Team Agreement Mandatory assignment	5%	Week 04 Due date: 15 Mar 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 15 Mar 2024	Team Agreement template, supplied
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	A3a.i. Major Project progress presentation Mandatory assignment	0%	Week 07 Due date: 12 Apr 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Apr 2024	5-10 min presentation, 5 min Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	A3a.ii. Prototype and user testing presentation Mandatory assignment	10%	Week 10 Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 03 May 2024	10mins in class presentation, 5mins Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	A3b. Major Project report Mandatory assignment	35%	Week 12 Due date: 17 May 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Jun 2024	10-15 pages, 2000 word visual report
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	A2b. Individual peer review of group work Mandatory assignment	5%	Week 12 Due date: 18 May 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Jun 2024	1 A4 page, 250 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	A4. Reflective report Mandatory assignment	35%	Week 13 Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59 Closing date: 21 Jun 2024	7-10 pages, 2000 word visual report
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

A1: Context exploration and mapping (Individual): Students will research and explore the broad project context using mapping as part of the documentation approach. Students will also identify a potential project area and develop an initial user interview research plan.
A2a. Team Agreement (Group): Teams will complete and submit the University of Sydney's template (supplied) to facilitate respectful and productive teamwork during this unit of study.
A2b. Individual peer review of group work (Individual): Individuals will reflect on the contribution of their group members to the Major Project, to facilitate respectful and productive teamwork during this unit of study.
A3a.i. Major Project progress presentation (Group): This unmarked, but required, formative task requires teams to present their research to-date and identify an initial direction based on their research. The student cohort are expected to provide respectful, constructive feedback to their peers.
A3a.ii. Prototype and user testing presentation (Group): Teams will develop and test a prototype as a response to the project brief. Prototypes could be a physical mock-up, digital production or visualisation and will be used in your user testing/evaluation session to test your initial design response. Prototypes will be presented in-class accompanied by the project brief, needs and requirements, rationale and theory of change, articulating how the prototype meets the brief and responds to user testing and evaluation data.
A3b. Major Project report (Group): The report is a synthesis and documentation of the entire research process, and will include images and description of the final design concept, a final artefact, the rationale for creating change and the iterative development process including those made in response to user testing.
A4. Reflective report (Individual): Students will reflect on their personal response to the learnings of this subject through the lens of Design Thinking, moving beyond describing experiences to critically reflecting upon their understanding of those experiences.

Detailed information for each asssessment 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	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A 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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to Design Thinking: Part 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Interactive tutorial activity: Design Thinking challenge	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to Design Thinking: Part 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Interactive tutorial activity: Values and Visual thinking (sketching, sketch-noting and context mapping). Major Project groups will be formed at the end of this tutorial.	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Human-centred User Research: Part 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Interactive tutorial activity: Stakeholder and Power mapping, and Interview skills - writing a user interview research plan	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Design Ethics and Ethical Design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Interactive tutorial activity: Observation and Guerrilla Interviews	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Human-centred User Research: Part 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Interactive tutorial activity: Interview role play, drafting a project brief and problem statement	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Visual representation: Part 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Interactive tutorial activity: Evaluating data and constructing personas	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Visual representation: Part 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	In class progress presentations followed by an open studio	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Idea Generation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Interactive tutorial activity: Design timescapes, generating and iterating ideas	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Prototyping	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Interactive tutorial activity: Group Design Challenge, prototyping and iterating	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Prototyping and Usability case studies	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	No interactive tutorial activity. Major Project presentations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Usability Testing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Interactive tutorial activity: User testing plan and User testing session role play	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Design Evaluation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	In-class studio: Work and feedback session	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Design Thinking: Recap, Provocation and Reflection Q&A	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	In-class studio: Work and feedback session	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: https://www.sydney.edu.au/policies/default.aspx?mode=class&uri=2302

Please pay particular attention to the following section that has been copied from the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning Resolutions: Coursework Awards policy

PART 3: STUDY AND ASSESSMENT
8 Attendance and Participation
(1) Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal assessments. Non-attendance on any grounds that is insufficient to claim special consideration or disability adjustment will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.
(2) Participation in a minimum number of assessment items may be included in the requirements specified for a unit of study.
(3) A student enrolled in a unit of study must comply with the requirements set out in the unit of study outline about undertaking the unit of study. Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for each unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Head of School and Dean, Associate Dean Education or relevant Unit Coordinator. The Head of School and Dean, Associate Dean Education or relevant Unit Coordinator may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90%.
(4) In the case of serious illness, injury or misadventure, a student may apply for special consideration subject to the student meeting all assessment requirements and providing satisfactory supporting documentation (refer to Clause 10).

Class Requirements

Please be aware: Marks may be deducted from group work totals if A2b. Individual peer review of group work, indicates inequity in individual contributions to A3. Human-centred Design: Major Project.

Social media such as, but not limited to WeChat and SnapChat, are communication platforms that are not endorsed by the University of Sydney. To communicate with project group members, tutors and the unit coordinator please use Ed Discussion, Canvas and direct email as these are endorsed platforms.

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.

Required readings

Tomitsch, M., Borthwick, M., Ahmadpour, N., Cooper, C., Frawley, J., Hepburn, L.A., Kocaballi, A.B., Loke, L., Núñez-Pacheco, C., ‎ Straker, K., ‎Wrigley, C. (2021). Design. Think. Make. Break. Repeat. A Handbook of Methods (revised edition). BIS Publishers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

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. appreciate the role of design thinking in traditional and cross-disciplinary contexts
LO2. select and apply human-centred interaction design methodologies, methods and tools
LO3. generate ideas, concepts and designs, informed by user and background research, to innovate interactive technology solutions to complex problems
LO4. be aware of design processes and cognition in collaborative, inter-disciplinary teams
LO5. apply persuasive oral/visual communication techniques for design communication to specific audiences
LO6. discuss and critique designs from a professional perspective.

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.

Student feedback from the Semester 2 2023 USS survey has been implemented to improve the group work experience.

Additional information

Use of design templates, such as those from Canva etc. is allowed in this subject for visual reports and presentations, and must be acknowledged on an acknowledgment page or slide, if used.

Use of AI, such as Grammarly and Writefully, is allowed in this subject to assist with written expression and must be acknowledged on an acknowledgment page or slide, if used.

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

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

IDEA9106: Design Thinking

Semester 1, 2024 [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

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect