Unit Outline
KDA144
Visualising Design
Semester 2, 2024
Ceridwen Owen
School of Architecture and Design
College of Sciences and Engineering
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B
Unit Coordinator
Ceridwen Owen
Email: Ceridwen.Owen@utas.edu.au
What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
 
In this unit you will be introduced to a range of visual tools and techniques for conceptualising and communicating complex relationships and generating new insights through design. Through a combination of interactive, self-directed learning activities and practical exercises, you will develop skills in a range of digital and analogue visual analysis and communication techniques. These techniques, including diagramming, sketching, mapping and visual storytelling, are central to the design disciplines and transferable across a variety of contexts. A major output of the unit is a design portfolio demonstrating critical evaluation and application of design visualisation techniques for specified contexts. In the final task you will explore design visualisation techniques related to a topic of your choice.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Describe visual techniques used in design disciplines for conceptualising and communicating ideas and information.
2.
Employ research, observation, and critical thinking in the interpretation and analysis of relationships.
3.
Apply design visualisation techniques to illustrate relationships.
4.
Identify and adopt design communication strategies to clearly convey ideas and engage relevant audiences.
Alterations as a result of student feedback
 
 
 
Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
 
 
 
How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Data Visualisation
Week 4
30 %
LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Design Portfolio
Week 8
40 %
LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Design Narrative
Week 13
30 %
LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Data Visualisation
Task Description:
Enquiry on a self-directed topic employing critical observation, reflection and mapping techniques.
Task Length:
Double-sided postcard.
Due Date:
Week 4
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Describe observations from a self-ethnographic inquiry.
LO2
2
Apply data visualisation techniques to illustrate relationships.
LO3, LO4
3
Create a design artefact that is consistent with the brief.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Design Portfolio
Task Description:
Collation of practical exercises and self-directed activities undertaken throughout semester.
Task Length:
Multi-page PDF (approx. 8 A3 pages)
Due Date:
Week 8
Weight:
40 %
 
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Use visual representations and techniques to communicate ideas and information.
LO3
2
Describe how visual techniques are used in conceptualising ideas for a nominated designer.
LO1
3
Organise and communicate ideas and information.
LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Design Narrative
Task Description:
Design fiction speculating on the implications of a particular contemporary societal issue precedent study employing storytelling and multi-media techniques.
Task Length:
Short story (5 mins), Collage (1 x A3), precis (200 words) + documentation of design process/contribution
Due Date:
Week 13
Weight:
30 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Outline a design fiction based on a hypothetical future scenario related to a given topic of inquiry.
LO2
2
Apply collage techniques to illustrate design fiction concept.
LO3
3
Communicate design fiction through narrative structure.
LO4
 
 
 
How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.