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Digital Design (ARCH20004)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject continues the knowledge from Foundations of Design: Representation. We will examine rule base thinking in digital design through processes of modelling and fabrication. The ability to develop these thinking through contemporary techniques of abstraction, evaluation, formulation, and transformation of information as ideas and knowledge is critical in digital design.
In this subject, students will develop an understanding of design process and workflow through modelling of information, both as virtual data and physical material. We will focus on using digital and physical modelling as iterative, progressive and generative techniques in developing form and design content.
A series of lectures will introduce students to a range of processes and techniques in digital design and its implementation in architecture and design. We will explore some of these methodologies in detail through a series of exercises and design brief. Students will learn rule based design process and developed skill in parametric design software resulting in physical artefacts using digital fabrication tools. The emphasis will be on developing a critical understanding of the relationship between media and its outcomes, and how modelling and digital fabrication techniques can encourage or constrain design possibilities.
Concluding each lecture, students will be introduced to self-teaching modules that will enable further experimentation with media and techniques. At the end of the semester, students will compile their personal portfolio with precision using reflective writing to anchor and demonstrate design thinking.
Costs to Students:
- Students will be required to purchase modelling and drawing materials for the course including cost to cover laser cutting and 3d printing; cost approx. $300 to $380 per person.
- Rhino 3d can be downloaded free for 90 days trial. Please note that future subjects in your major may require this software; especially if you are majoring in Architecture and Landscape Architecture.
- Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) can be purchased on monthly bases. You will require Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign for this subject. (See Required Resources folder for further details)
- Grasshopper and Unreal Engine are available free to student to download.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- Develop skills in digital thinking through modelling and learning to use parametric software
- Develop skills and dexterity in using digital media and fabrication techniques
- Develop skills in communicating complex relationship within a set of information through drawings, modelling and fabrication.
- Develop techniques and rigour in constructing design ideas from gathered information
- Develop an understanding of abstract and analytical thinking and why it is pivotal in design process
- Develop an understanding of iterative modelling process and its application in contemporary design
- Develop group working skills and communication
Generic skills
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will have had the opportunity to develop the following generic skills :
• Develop precision, rigour and skills in physical and digital modelling
• To work cooperatively and professionally in group setting
• Develop communication skills through drawings, models and other media
• Developed capacity for independent critical thought, creative inquiry and self-directed learning
• Developed an understanding of how such techniques are related to creative thinking
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ARCH10001 | Foundations of Design: Representation |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Online Quiz at end of lectures or studio, during the semester (14%);
- Module 1 containing drawings and physical model with verbal presentation. Drawings and digital model collated in draft journal format, (equivalent to 12 hours of work per student), week 3 (10%);
- Module 2 containing drawings and physical model with verbal presentation. Drawings and digital model collated in draft journal format, (equivalent to 30 hours of work per student), week 7 (25%);
- Module 3 containing drawings and physical model with verbal presentation. Drawings and digital model collated in draft journal format, (equivalent to 36 hours of work per student), week 12 (30%);
- Final Portfolio submission: formatted journal containing collated and composed drawings and photography of model with reflective writing and references to lectures (equivalent to 25 hours work), due during the examination period (21%).
Hurdle requirements:
1. Attendance at least 75% of studio and workshop session
2. Submission of Final Portfolio is a hurdle requirement
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Paul Loh Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 52 hours: 8 x 1hour lecture, 32 hours studio and 6 x 2 hours workshop Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Rhinoceros software. Note: Apple-Mac users will require Windows operating system.
Adobe Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator
Course reader will be provided on LMSPlease also check the note section
- Subject notes
A laptop with faculty specifications found: https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/abp-specialist-it-support
Rhinoceros 3D software. Note: Apple-Mac users will require Windows operating system. - Incidental costs
Students will be required to purchase drawing and modelling materials for the course excluding software; cost approx. $250 to $300 per person. Rhino 3d can be downloaded free for 90 days trial. Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) can be purchased on monthly bases.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Bachelor of Design Elective Subjects - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 27 April 2024