Unit Outline

Design Futures is a capstone unit that bridges academic study with professional practice, preparing third-year design students for post-graduation careers through strategic self-reflection and portfolio development. Students engage in research-driven exploration of emerging design practices while developing a comprehensive understanding of their professional identity and career trajectory. The unit combines self-directed project development with structured professional preparation, culminating in a cohesive portfolio that demonstrates both creative capability and career readiness.

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	Research and evaluate emerging design practices for their implications and opportunities for design futures.
2	Synthesise knowledge and skills gained throughout the degree program to create a comprehensive professional development plan for post-graduation
3	Develop, implement and produce design outputs aligned to personal interests and/or aspirations in the field of design.
4	Plan and manage a self-directed project through independent inquiry, organisation and self-reflection.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	100 credit points in any discipline

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 Futures	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Design Project	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Final Portfolio and Exhibition	Week 14	30 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Design Futures

Task Description:

Research and analyse emerging design practices relevant to your area of interest, positioning these within broader design futures discourse. Develop a personal design philosophy that articulates your values, interests, and professional aspirations. Create a comprehensive project brief for the semester that demonstrates strategic alignment between your research findings, personal philosophy, and career goals.

Task Length:

Multipage PDF.

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Research and evaluation of emerging design practices	LO1, LO2
2	Development of personal design philosophy	LO2, LO3
3	Project brief development and strategic alignment	LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Design Project

Task Description:

Execute your self-directed project from AT1, demonstrating professional-level design process management and creative output. Complete three cycles of prototyping, testing, and iteration while maintaining clear documentation of your design decisions, process evolution, and professional learning. The project should showcase your design capabilities while advancing your career preparation goals.

Task Length:

Multipage PDF

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Self-directed project management and organisation	LO4
2	Quality and innovation of design outputs	LO3
3	Iterative design process and critical reflection	LO3, LO4
4	Receptiveness to feedback and collaborative engagement	LO2, LO4

Assessment Task 3: Final Portfolio and Exhibition

Task Description:

Develop a professional portfolio that showcases your design capabilities, process, and career readiness. Present a minimum of four projects (including AT2) with professional documentation that demonstrates your design philosophy in action. Include a CV and a reflection on your development throughout the degree program.

Task Length:

Multipage PDF.

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Professional portfolio design and presentation	LO2, LO3
2	Synthesis of knowledge and skills from degree program	LO2
3	Project documentation and professional communication	LO2, LO3
4	Contribute to the production up of the Design exhibition.	LO3, 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.