Unit Outline

This unit focuses on developing essential empathetic and collaborative skills central to contemporary design practice. Students will explore methodologies of participatory design, co-design, and co-creation through both theoretical frameworks and applied projects. The unit emphasises understanding diverse pluralistic perspectives, facilitating meaningful stakeholder engagement, and creating inclusive life-centred design processes. Through hands-on workshops and community-based projects, students will learn to navigate the complexities of designing with—rather than simply for—users and communities.

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	Develop and implement Co-Design and Co-Creation research and facilitation methods.
2	Understand and apply Participatory Design Principles.
3	Integrate Systems Thinking and Life-Centred Design approaches.
4	Evaluate collaborative design processes and outcomes including participatory methods and ecological impact considerations.

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:	Participatory Design	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Co-design & Co-creation	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Life-Centred Design	See the MyLO site for the due date	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Participatory Design

Task Description:

For a chosen cause area that involves multiple stakeholders, create a stakeholder map and empathy map, including a reflection on the differences between designing “for” versus designing “with” users.

Task Length:

Multipage PDF

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Creates comprehensive stakeholder and empathy maps that accurately identify relevant parties and capture authentic user perspectives.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Critically evaluates differences between designing "for" versus "with" users, demonstrating clear understanding of participatory design principles.	LO3, LO4
3	Applies participatory design theories to analyze the chosen cause area and justifies appropriate participatory approaches.	LO3, LO4
4	Presents clear visual maps and well-structured written reflection with professional standards and proper referencing.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Co-design & Co-creation

Task Description:

For a chosen cause area that you can involve 2 or more friends in a participatory session, conduct a participatory design session, and submit a report detailing the process, outcomes and reflections on the experience.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Designs well-structured participatory session with clear objectives and appropriate co-design methods for the cause area.	LO2, LO4
2	Demonstrates effective facilitation skills, successfully engages all participants, and adapts approach based on group dynamics.	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Thoroughly documents the co-design process and analyzes outcomes to identify key insights and collaborative solutions.	LO1, LO3
4	Critically evaluates session effectiveness and reflects on personal learning and areas for improvement.	LO3, LO4
5	Presents comprehensive, well-organized report with clear communication and appropriate academic standards.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 3: Life-Centred Design

Task Description:

Building on your participatory design research, analyse the broader ecological system surrounding your chosen cause area and propose design interventions that consider environmental impact, resource flows, and multi-species relationships beyond human needs alone.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrates systems thinking by identifying interconnections and applies systems analysis to inform design decisions.	LO3, LO4
2	Develops life-centred design proposal that incorporates ecological considerations beyond human-centred approaches.	LO3, LO4
3	Effectively integrates participatory design and co-design methods into the life-centred design proposal.	LO2, LO4
4	Critically evaluates proposed solution against ecological criteria and justifies decisions using systems thinking principles.	LO3, LO4
5	Presents comprehensive design proposal with clear communication and professional presentation standards.	LO1, LO2

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.