Unit Outline

This foundational unit introduces first-year Design students to the fundamental elements and principles of design, including color, shape, pattern, gestalt principles, and typography. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge, historical context, ethical considerations, and hands-on experimentation, students will develop essential skills in visual design, communication, and critique. The unit emphasises experimentation, reflection, and collaborative learning.

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	Identify and define elements & principles of design.
2	Generate and refine design propositions through experimentation and reflection.
3	Apply fundamental skills in design to communicate and critique with and for peers.
4	Produce design artefacts in response to a directed brief.

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:	Poster Design	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Design Sprint Reflection	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Design Sprints: part 2	See the MyLO site for the due date	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 4:	Design Sprints: part 1	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Poster Design

Task Description:

Create a visually cohesive poster that integrates the work from all your sprints. This poster should demonstrate your understanding and application of the fundamental elements of design, including colour, shape, pattern, gestalt principles, and typography, while maintaining a consistent aesthetic throughout.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Effectively integrates elements from all sprints into a cohesive design.	LO1, LO2, LO4
2	Demonstrates proficiency in design software, ensures the poster is well-executed with attention to detail.	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Design Sprint Reflection

Task Description:

Guided reflection on learnings and sprints through series of questions. In this 300 word document you will critically reflect on and evaluate your own design process and each prototyping method.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically reflects on and evaluates their personal use of aesthetics in their design work, demonstrating critical thinking, self-awareness, and an understanding of design principles.	LO3
2	Apply professional visual communication strategies and techniques to written reflection.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Design Sprints: part 2

Task Description:

Culmination of weeks 6-12 sprint exercises.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Clearly identify and define key elements and principles of design in Sprints.	LO1
2	Generate multiple design propositions through initial sketches and experiment with different approaches and techniques to refine design ideas.	LO2
3	Reflect on the effectiveness of each iteration and make informed adjustments.	LO3
4	Engage in constructive critique sessions with peers, providing and receiving feedback.	LO3

Assessment Task 4: Design Sprints: part 1

Task Description:

Culmination of weeks 1-5 design sprint exercises.

Task Length:

Multipage PDF

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Clearly identify and define key elements and principles of design in Sprints.	LO1
2	Generate multiple design propositions through initial sketches and experiment with different approaches and techniques to refine design ideas.	LO2
3	Reflect on the effectiveness of each iteration and make informed adjustments.	LO3
4	Engage in constructive critique sessions with peers, providing and receiving feedback.	LO2
5	Apply professional visual communication strategies and techniques to present sprint.	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.

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.