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Foundations of Design: Representation (ARCH10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
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This subject builds a foundation for design by introducing students to the role of representation in contemporary practice. The subject’s learning activities develop students’ skills by teaching them to observe, document and analyse information using different media.
Lecture materials introduce students to the conceptual background of representation and a broad range of representation techniques. The subject responds to the questions such as:
- Why do designers draw? and
- What is the role of representation?
This subject teaches students to develop critical understandings of representational devices and techniques.
Importantly, students use the ideas introduced through the lecture materials in practice. To do this, they engage with a variety of representational techniques that include orthogonal projection (by hand), model making, 2D vector-based drawing and 3D modelling using the software that is common in relevant industries.
In the process, students learn to:
- manage data, information and representation workflows using multiple software tools;
- accurately represent spatial information;
- draw and model with care; and
- develop a critical eye.
At the end of semester, students learn to integrate complex projects by designing and preparing their own portfolios.
This subject also integrates with the University’s Joining Melbourne Modules. Students can complete these modules in parallel with this subject, unless already completed. The subject also supports the Discovery goals for commencing students by introducing:
- emerging concepts and research in the discipline area;
- ways to connect with the University community including peers, teachers and student groups;
- awareness of academic expectations; and
- knowledge about wellbeing support offered at the University of Melbourne.
Incidental costs
The subject requires specific tools for its tasks. These tools will be beneficial to all design students throughout their degrees and in further professional practice. Breadth students have an option to minimise the costs but will also benefit from these tools in their disciplines. Estimated total costs are between AU$175 and AU$300.
This subject will involve the following software: Rhinoceros, Panelling Tools Plugin for Rhinocerous, Adobe Creative Suite. Details of software availability and pricing are captured at https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research/resources/it-support#software.
A laptop with suggested faculty specifications is recommended. Further information can be found at https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/abp-specialist-it-support.
Drawing tools and consumables such as printing and modelling materials will be required.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject, the students will be able to:
- Use representational techniques to describe forms, processes, and relationships.
- Reconstruct form, processes, and relationships from representations using observational, analytical, and compositional techniques.
- Process and manage representational information through software that is common in industry.
- Support design thinking and problem-solving activities using representational techniques.
- Identify key types of representation and give examples of their application in contemporary design and discourse.
- Apply narrative and graphic design conventions to organise, describe, and assess sequences of projects in a portfolio.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the Joining Melbourne Modules, and the learning outcomes of these, in relation to Foundation of Design Representation subject matter and learning activities.
Generic skills
On completion of the subject, students would have developed the following skills:
- Observation and visual analysis skills;
- Developed a familiarity with basic techniques in drawings undertaken with analogue and digital media;
- Develop communication skills through drawings 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: 12 December 2024