Foundations of Design: Representation (ARCH10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
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.
Prescribed software programs with a cost
Adobe Creative Suite
McNeel Rhino
Panelling Tools Plugin for Rhino
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: 9 April 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
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: 9 April 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Module 1 containing composed three-dimensional hand drawings and digital drawings with verbal presentation. Drawings and sketches collated in draft journal format.
| Week 4 | 20% |
Module 2 containing graphic analysis, hybrid drawing formats and three-dimensional digital modelling with verbal presentation. Drawings and sketches collated in draft journal format.
| Week 8 | 35% |
Module 3 containing textual analysis, narrative themes, composed drawings utilising two- and three-dimensional representational techniques with verbal presentation. Drawings and sketches collated in draft journal format.
| Week 12 | 45% |
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Janet McGaw Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 52 hours (including lectures, Labs and 36 hours of Tutorial ) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Stanislav Roudavski Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 52 hours (including lectures, Labs and 36 hours of Tutorial ) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Last updated: 9 April 2025
Further information
- Texts
- 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.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 9 April 2025