Unit Outline

Systems Design is one of two capstone units in which you will demonstrate knowledge and skills gained throughout the degree in a complex applied project. This unit focuses on regenerative systems thinking, relating global ecological and social concerns to local contexts. In this unit you will undertake systems analysis, speculate on future scenarios, consult with community groups, and/or stakeholders and develop systems design outcomes informed by environmentally and socially responsible principles. The unit will expand your understanding of design practices, emphasising the importance of intellectual risk to extend and challenge design concepts and assumptions. You will work with a degree of independence and pursue opportunities related to your own interest areas and design specialisations while also being supported by delivered content, focused activities, and workshops. The unit prepares you to practice in a world where design is part of a wider system of activity and increasingly embedded in social contexts, engaging diverse stakeholders and user groups.

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.	Justify the framing of design propositions through research, critical analysis and synthesis of diverse information and from systems perspectives.
2.	Generate and refine design propositions through speculation and experimentation by employing a range of processes, techniques and material explorations related to a practice specialisation area.
3.	Collaborate with a range of participants and communicate with diverse stakeholders, applying skills in negotiation and critique.
4.	Conduct socially and environmentally responsible design practice by considering the implications of design, and its capacity to initiate change in a system.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KDA208 AND KDA207 AND ZAD222 AND ZAD225

Alterations as a result of student feedback

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:	Design Brief	Week 5	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Design project	Week 11	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Final Design Presentation	Week 13	30 %	LO1, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Design Brief

Task Description:

Development of visual project plan in relation to an identified field of research inquiry based on the leverage points from the system mapping analysis.

Task Length:

Multipage PDF

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Develop a regenerative systems map, identify the components and leverage points within the system.	LO4
2	Propose speculative future scenarios based on strategic contextual and self-analysis, producing a compelling rationale.	LO1, LO2
3	Generate a systems design proposal that considers collaboration and behavioural change.	LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Create and present a design brief to peers.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Design project

Task Description:

Project to be developed from conceptualisation to delivery phases. This must include 3 rounds of prototyping, testing and iteration.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Conceptualisation of the regenerative design intervention based on research, insights and opportunities.	LO1
2	Assessment, prioritisation and development of ideas for development.	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Prototype development, testing and iteration that works towards the identified regenerative system goal.	LO4
4	Receptiveness to constructive feedback & iterative development of ideas.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Final Design Presentation

Task Description:

Documentation of resolved design project in response to design brief for the purposes of presentation and exhibition. Reflection on the semester's work and contribution to the Design exhibition.

Task Length:

Presentation to peers and/or stakeholders (group) + journal (individual)

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Communicate design aspirations and outcomes through project documentation, to peers and stakeholders (group exhibition and digital presentation).	LO1, LO3, LO4
2	Contribute to the production of a Design exhibition.	LO3
3	Reflection on the semester's project.	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.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Ichioka & Pawlyn. 2021. Flourish. UK. Triarchy Press.

Meadows. 2008. Thinking in Systems: A Primer. US. Chelsea Green Publishing.

Warden, J 2021, Regenerative Futures: From sustaining to thriving together 1 Regenerative Futures From sustaining to thriving together.

Wahl DC 2016, Designing regenerative cultures, Triarchy, Axminster.