Course Outline

DES101 Elements of Design

Course Coordinator:Suzanne Breeze (Sbreeze@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Design plays an important role in generating imaginative and effective communication, understanding, and affective engagement. This course aims to develop your understanding and application of design principles through a range of practical activities. The course provides you with skills and strategies to assist in idea generation and encoding meaning through sound and image. Within this course you will apply design principles to address creative problems and practical challenges and will learn critical evaluation and observation skills.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Seminar – Scheduled face to face seminars. 2hrs Week 5 2 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Seminar – Scheduled online seminars (Recorded). 2hrs Week 5 2 times

Course Topics

  • Design Language and Focal Point
  • Balance 
  • Colour Theory 
  • Colour Meaning 
  • Rhythm 
  • Space and Depth 
  • Encoding Meaning 
  • Culture Jamming 
  • Design that Works 
  • Design Futures 

What level is this course?

100 Level (Introductory)

Engaging with discipline knowledge and skills at foundational level, broad application of knowledge and skills in familiar contexts and with support. Limited or no prerequisites. Normally, associated with the first full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Apply understandings of design principles to develop creative solutions to design problems. Creative and critical thinker
2 Demonstrate an understanding and application of semiotic principles in design communication. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
3 Generate a range of possible solutions to design tasks and demonstrate critical ability in the selection of final outcomes. Creative and critical thinker
4 Demonstrate an ability to explore and manipulate a range of selected media and to present work in a professional manner. Empowered
5 Develop culturally sensitive design skills that respond to place, embrace sustainability, and acknowledge Indigenous protocols and perspectives. Ethical
Sustainability-focussed

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In week 4, formative feedback will be provided on your Task 1 work in progress during the tutorial.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 30%
4 exercises as a development journal presented as an 8 page PDF document.
Week 6 Online Submission
All 2 Artefact - Creative Individual 40%
2 to 3-minute audio-visual piece + in class presentation
Week 10 Online Submission
All 3 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 30%
2 x design works plus 400 word written summary
Exam Period Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Design Imagination
Goal:
To explore idea development, develop critical ability and demonstrate an understanding of design principles through visual communication exercises linked to professional design outcomes.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format:
Specific task details and description can be found on Canvas in the Assessment/Task 1 section.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstrated understanding and application of design principles
1
2
Sound understanding, practice, experimentation, research and working processes to support the final outcomes
3
3
Creativity and originality in idea development and final design outcomes
2
4
Professional presentation and skilled use of the medium
4
All - Assessment Task 2:Design in Nature
Goal:
To demonstrate an understanding of design principles by using digital photography, collage or drawing to reflect the mood of a selected piece of music or sound in a series of images. The images will focus on natural environments and will demonstrate an understanding of space, rhythm, focal point, balance, tonal contrast and colour contrast.
Product: Artefact - Creative
Format:
Specific task details and description can be found on Canvas in the Assessment/Task 2 section.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Project meets the criteria set in the project brief and is presented in a skilled and professional manner
4
2
Thorough documentation of working processes, idea generation and design decisions
1
3
Clear understanding and application of design principles
1 2
4
Demonstrates critical ability in the selection of final design outcomes and overall unity of presentation
4
5
Creativity and originality in responses
1 5
All - Assessment Task 3:Culture Jamming
Goal:
Demonstrate an understanding of semiotic theory and design principles in the creation of two linked designs that employ a specific company or organisations 'house style' or design conventions, to critique the company's message or ideologies.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format:
Specific task details and description can be found on Canvas in the Assessment/Task 3 section.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Project meets the criteria set in the project brief and is presented in a skilled and professional manner
4
2
Demonstrates an understanding of semiotics and design principles in visual and written outcomes
2
3
Demonstrates critical ability in the selection of final design outcomes
3
4
Creativity and originality in responses
1 3
5
Thorough documentation of research, analysis, idea generation and design decisions in the journal
1 5

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

It is essential that you come prepared with appropriate materials for each tutorial. Requirements: A3 sketchbook/journal, 2B, 4B, 6B graphite pencils, eraser, scissors, glue, ruler, black medium point marker pen, coloured pencils. Task 2 requires the use of a digital camera, a phone camera is suitable.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all field activities and low to moderate levels of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks may include working in an Australian bush setting, working with people, working outside normal office hours for example. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct.

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au