IDEA9106: Semester 1, 2025

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 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Online task	A1d. Peer evaluation task 2 Mandatory online task will take place during mid-semester break on Wednesday 23/04, building towards A1g. Reflective Report.	2%	Mid-semester break Due date: 23 Apr 2025 at 23:59	5-10 short answers questions
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance	Tutorial Attendance Students are required to meet the minimum 90% attendance to pass this unit.	0%	Multiple weeks	Duration of class’
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	A1a. Mindset task 1 Mandatory online tasks will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 25/02 and Wednesday 26/02, building towards A1g. Reflective Report.	1%	Week 01 Due date: 26 Feb 2025 at 23:59	5-10 short answers questions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	A2a. Team Agreement Mandatory assignment	5%	Week 03 Due date: 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59	Team Agreement template, supplied
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	A1b. Peer evaluation task 1 Mandatory online tasks will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 11/03 and Wednesday 12/03, building towards A1g. Reflective Report.	2%	Week 03 Due date: 12 Mar 2025 at 23:59	5-10 short answers questions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	A3. Context exploration and mapping Mandatory assignment	20%	Week 04 Due date: 21 Mar 2025 at 23:59	7-10 pgs, 1000 word report.
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	A1c. Mindset task 2 Mandatory online tasks will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 01/04 and Wednesday 02/04, building towards A1g. Reflective Report.	1%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2025 at 23:59	5-10 short answers questions
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	A2b. Progress Presentation Mandatory group progress presentations will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 15/04 and Wednesday 16/04.	0%	Week 08 Due date: 16 Apr 2025 at 23:59	5-10 min presentation, 5 min Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	A2c. Prototype and User Testing Session Mandatory user testing sessions will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 6/05 and Wednesday 07/05.	25%	Week 10 Due date: 07 May 2025 at 23:59	2hrs (duration of tutorial)
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	A1e. Mindset task 3 Mandatory online tasks will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 13/05 and Wednesday 14/05, building towards A1g. Reflective Report.	1%	Week 11 Due date: 14 May 2025 at 23:59	5-10 short answers questions
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	A2d. Final Presentation Mandatory group presentations will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 20/05 and Wednesday 21/05.	20%	Week 12 Due date: 21 May 2025 at 23:59	10 mins presentation, 5 mins Q&A
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	A1f. Peer evaluation task 3 Mandatory online tasks will take place during tutorials on Tuesday 20/05 and Wednesday 21/05, building towards A1g. Reflective Report.	2%	Week 12 Due date: 21 May 2025 at 23:59	5-10 short answers questions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	A1g. Reflective Report Mandatory assignment that draws together A1a - A1f.	21%	Week 13 Due date: 26 May 2025 at 23:59	1000 word visual report or 5mins video
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

A1a. Mindset task 1 (Individual): A small online task to measure your level of comfort with ambiguity.
A1b. Peer evaluation task 1 (Individual): A small online task to assess teamwork.
A1c. Mindset task 2 (Individual): A small online task to measure your level of comfort with ambiguity.
A1d. Peer evaluation task 2 (Individual): A small online task to assess teamwork.
A1e. Mindset task 3 (Individual): A small online task to measure your level of comfort with ambiguity.
A1f. Peer evaluation task 3 (Individual): A small online task to assess teamwork.
A1g. Reflective Report (Individual): Students will reflect on their personal and interpersonal learnings in this subject through the lens of Design Thinking, moving beyond describing experiences to critically reflecting upon their understanding of those experiences.
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. 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 as part of the presentation.
A2c. Prototype and User Testing Session (Group): Teams will develop and test a prototype as a response to the project brief. Prototypes will be lo-fi and could be a physical mock-up, digital production or visualisation. They will be used in the user testing session to test your team's initial design response.
A2d. Final Presentation (Group): Teams will present their final prototypes, and articulate how the prototype meets the reframed project brief and responds to user testing and evaluation data.
A3: 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.

Detailed information for each asssessment is on the IDEA9106 canvas site.

Attendance: Students should be present and engaged in their learning during classes. Late arrival/early departure will be deemed as an absence. Students who do not meet the minimum 90% threshold, who have approved special consideration may be offered the opportunity to sit an alternative assessment to pass this unit.

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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

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

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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.

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	A1a. Mindset task 1 & Interactive tutorial activity: Design Thinking Sprint	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to Design Thinking: Part 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Interactive tutorial activity: Visual thinking. 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: Interview skills. Major Project groups will be finalised at the end of this tutorial	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Design Ethics and Ethical Design	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Interactive tutorial activity: Surfacing values & evaluating data	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Human-centred User Research: Part 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Interactive tutorial activity: Drafting a project brief & problem statement	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Visual representation and Idea generation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	A1c. Mindset task 2 & Interactive tutorial activity: Visualising data & ideas	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Idea generation and Prototyping	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Interactive tutorial activity: Idea generation & lo-fi prototyping	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Prototyping	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	A2b. Progress Presentation & Major Project open studio work/feedback session	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Usability Testing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Interactive tutorial activity: Usability testing plan & role play	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Prototyping and Usability case studies	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	A2c. Prototype & User-testing Session	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Design Evaluation: Part 1	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	A1e. Mindset task 3 & Major Project open studio work/feedback session	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Design Evaluation: Part 2	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	A2d. Final Presentation & Major Project open studio work/feedback session	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Design Thinking: Recap, Provocation and Reflection Q&A	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	A1g. Reflective Report open studio work/feedback session	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to meet minimum attendance of tutorial 90%.

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.

Methods from this reading used in IDEA9106 tutorials will be supplied.

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 USS surveys have been implemented to improve the group work experience.

Disclaimer

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

This unit of study outline was last modified on 22 Feb 2025.

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

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

IDEA9106: Design Thinking

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect