Studio 6: Design-led Research
Overview
This unit introduces students to a methodology using design activity in a process of knowledge directed enquiry. Design practice can be contextualised as a critical framework where questions are posed, and solutions are sought through ‘making’. Students will create interventions where thinking and inquiry occur through design practice. Reflections on these interventions are explored within social, cultural and technological contexts.
Requisites
DDD40001 Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
ARC70003 Design Research Studio B
Pre-requisite
DDD70019 Studio 3: Inclusive and Participatory Design
AND
DDD40001 Studio 1: Methods for Design Research
OR
ARC70003 Design Research Studio B
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Implement strategies and methods of practice-based enquiry to investigate what can be learnt through design activity
- Construct prototypes in connection with other research methods as a means of gaining new knowledge
- Synthesise multiple insights from direct design interventions
- Critically evaluate design prototype/s through testing methods and conclude with recommendations for further development
- Articulate the design process, the design interventions and research findings through well-structured documentation, design outcome and presentations
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week | Venue Type and Activity Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus | Studio | 72 | 12 weeks | 6 | |
| Specified Activities | Various | 120 | 12 weeks | 10 | Discussion boards, Practice-led enquiry into materials, Technology and form, Technical development, Workshops, Collaborative idea generation, Readings |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 108 | 12 weeks | 9 | |
| Total Hours: | 300 | Total Hours (per week): | 25 | ||
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project and Presentation | Individual/Group | 40% | 1,5 |
| Proposal and Prototype | Individual/Group | 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Report | Individual | 30% | 1,5 |
Content
- Develop a design-led project that relies on research
- Analysis and critique of personal and professional design practice
- Create frameworks to aid analysis
- Design-led technological exploration
- Conduct design research through a practice-based scenario and generate a design proposal
- Use a range of analytical, research and design skills to facilitate the articulation of a design project
- Evaluate the effectiveness of designs through consultation, prototype creation and practical tests
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.