This unit of study allows students to develop an understanding of the foundation of human factors upon which much successful design is based. Students learn about the basic physical and cognitive principles (ergonomics, heuristics, human-centredness) incorporated in successful designs across a wide variety of different sectors. Students are provided with the tools to evaluate existing designs according to widely accepted design principles. They learn to apply these principles in practice in order to improve the usability, clarity and overall quality of their own designs. Through a series of academically researched case studies they reflect upon how these principles are applied in existing designs. To further develop their understanding of the design principles, they then complete a small re-design exercise. The case studies are chosen to cover a range of different domains, including products, systems, organisations, and services.

The role of design, and the designer, within contemporary society, is continuously evolving. This unit provides a concise overview of the evolution of design over the last century, drawing on some of the prominent theoretical frameworks, practices and perspectives that have influenced and shaped the discipline. In this unit, students will explore the shift from traditional production-based practices to human-centred design and more recent thinking around decolonised and post-anthropogenic futures. In interrogating discourse of design theory and culture, students will develop the fundamental principles and skills of scholarly research in the discipline, including locating and evaluating sources, critical thinking and reflection.

This unit of study provides an introduction to design thinking and its application in a human-centred design process. Students carry out a semester-long project that follows the typical phases of an iterative design process; consisting of user-centred research, ideation, prototyping and evaluation. Hands-on tutorial exercises develop their experience in appropriately applying design thinking methods, against the theoretical background offered by lectures. Students will learn to build empathy with users, identify the problem space, develop design concepts driven by user needs, and persuasively communicate design proposals using visual storytelling.

This unit of study introduces students to the principles of visual design, including graphic design, composition, colour theory and typography. Students will develop an understanding of how to communicate ideas in context and to successfully combine visual elements to create a visual argument and to communicate transition over time. Using digital image manipulation tools, such as Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, students will learn how to develop design concepts and how to turn concepts into an effective call-to-action.

This unit provides an introduction to the development of software in design and the creative industries. It teaches the fundamentals of computational thinking as well as skills in the design and implementation of software for creative expression and prototyping. It introduces students to tools for building interactive design applications through programming assignments; knowledge of programming concepts; and knowledge of the Javascript programming language. Key concepts covered in this unit include: variables; functions; control flows; and algorithmic thinking. Students learn how to design through the development of code, allowing them to incorporate programming into their own design projects as well as to collaborate effectively with software developers.

This unit of study introduces students to design strategies and techniques to foster inclusion and participation with a variety of stakeholders to develop alternative and responsible points of view in iterative design innovation. Through the analysis of real-world case studies students will develop an understanding for collaborative approaches to tackle complex problems. The unit will discuss how design can be used as a method and as a way of thinking to drive responsible innovation for products, services and processes. In the tutorial component, students will apply design strategies and techniques through small group exercises and develop a deeper understanding of them through the assessment items, which capture theory, analytical reflection, and the practical application of methods.

This unit introduces students to web design and modern web technologies for the purpose of designing and prototyping web-based user interface solutions. Students will learn about design principles and patterns for the web and apply them in practical exercises that involve designing and creating interactive user interfaces. The unit will introduce interface sketching and wire-framing tools and techniques. A variety of media and platforms, such as desktop computers and mobile devices, will be discussed, with a focus on interaction design. Students will develop an understanding of web technologies and their role in user experience and interaction design, including the use of web technologies for prototyping user interfaces. Prototyping techniques covered in this unit include interface sketching and wire-framing to develop dynamic content and interactive designs.

This unit extends on student’s existing knowledge of the design process to provide a deep understanding of how to design complex, situated experiences and services. The unit is structured around a design brief that focuses on digitally enhanced services and interactive environments. Students develop an understanding of the range of design practices covered by the terms service design and user experience design, and how these relate to other areas of design. They learn about the influence of the user’s context on a designed product, service or system, and how to explore this effectively through design development and visualisation strategies. With a balance of individual and group work, students have an opportunity to collaboratively apply experience and service design methods to a design project.

This unit of study provides a format for deep engagement with design and innovation methods. Students will develop responses to a real-world design problem that requires the application of students' existing disciplinary skills combined with knowledge in an interdisciplinary context. Projects are student-led, allowing students to identify projects that are linked to their interests and discipline-specific career paths. Through interactive group work, facilitated by experienced design mentors, students will learn how to negotiate interdisciplinary requirements and boundaries. All projects developed in this unit of study are expected to address some element of innovation in an existing product, service or process. Students will be able to apply methods acquired in other units of study, and will learn about new methods through weekly project work and reviews.

This unit gets students to consider the broader application of design thinking as a way of informing and creating social outcomes. Design for social impact aims to design solutions to meet social needs in a better way than the existing solution. Students will have the opportunity to develop their design thinking competency through the application of a real-world social problem. Students will address prevailing or emerging social issues through the design of products, services and experiences. Students will be guided through the design thinking process of understanding user and stakeholder needs, defining problems, ideating solutions, prototyping and testing design solutions. This unit gives students the opportunity to tackle the challenges of 21st Century life through the exploration of new technology and current practices to design the future they want to live in.

This unit is an introduction to human-centred co-design and participatory methods, specifically in the context of future challenges of the type you will face in various domains of product, service, or technology design. You will learn co-design principles and practices through evaluating current cases, processes and systems. Through the analysis of real-world case studies, you will apply co-design and participatory methods to address the complex issues facing society. The unit will also introduce you to how design-led strategies can support human experiences or be used to improve technologies and processes. You will develop your skills by using design exercises to demonstrate the strategic and practical applications of such methods and approaches.

This unit of study focuses on the development of design solutions for the complex needs of a healthy society into the future. Through weekly teaching of design in the health and wellbeing contexts, you will be exposed to various methods, techniques, and approaches to achieve wellbeing-centric solutions. You will apply your skills to address a health or wellbeing challenge by creating a project based on translating a discovery into a device or process in the real world. The project will require you to harness the relevant skill sets that are required to best navigate multifaceted challenges prevalent in health sectors. All solutions designed and developed in this unit of study are expected to take the form of either a product, service, or system. You will learn how to identify problems based on deep explorations and developing context-relevant solutions. Along this journey you will also navigate disciplinary boundaries and communicate with various stakeholders, including experts in the digital health professions. This will allow you to assess and test your solutions on your target audience.

This interdisciplinary unit provides students with the opportunity to address complex
problems identified by industry, community, and government organisations, and gain valuable
experience in working across disciplinary boundaries. In collaboration with a major industry
partner and an academic lead, students integrate their academic skills and knowledge by
working in teams with students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. This experience
allows students to research, analyse and present solutions to a realworld problem, and to
build on their interpersonal and transferable skills by engaging with and learning from industry
experts and presenting their ideas and solutions to the industry partner.