Overview

This unit develops practical design skills in a user-Centered product design context. It will apply an understanding of usability considerations to the design of a product or range of products that respond directly to user needs. This studio aims to introduce user-centred design, ergonomics and anthropometrics through the exploration of human-machine/artefact interactions, and explore the social, cultural and psychological implications of product design.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Apply user-centred design approaches to project developments and outcomes
  • Consider and integrate ergonomic and anthropometric information into design projects
  • Apply a practical design methodology and process to design projects
  • Create a design outcome(s) in a succinct manner using hand sketches, perspective drawing, physical prototypes and computer-generated images
  • Evaluate project outcomes in relation to the specified context of user(s)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Studio
3.00 12 weeks 36
Specified Activities
Group Meetings
5.00 12 weeks 60
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
4.50 12 weeks 54
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
Design Project 1Individual 40% 1,2,3,4,5 
Design Project 2Individual 60% 2,3,4,5 

Content

  • Investigation, concept development, and the application of design methodologies in context of the human-machine/
  • artefact interaction
  • Analysis of existing products, functions, performance, and construction
  • Understanding your user(s) and the context in which they operate
  • Undertaking forms of empathetic investigation
  • Application of anthropometric data, ergonomic principles and product design processes
  • Prototyping production techniques and use of workshop facilities and equipment
  • Presentation of design outcomes.

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.