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Design Processes and Techniques (ARCH20004)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject builds on the knowledge and skills learnt through its prerequisite “Foundations of Design: Representation” by introducing students to contemporary design-enabling approaches and techniques.
Students will be exposed to various architectural design processes and workflows through a set of exercises focused on the diagramming, computing and prototyping of design precedents. Such exercises will require the students to apply an iterative design thinking approach based on the abstraction, formulation, evaluation and transformation of ideas, which is an essential component of any design studio activity. Students will learn how to communicate design ideas, processes and outcomes using architectural drawings, and a variety of visual media and techniques.
The lectures will present and discuss a range of processes and techniques in both the analogue and digital domains, with particular attention given to the most recent development in performance-oriented computational design and fabrication. The lectures will support the students in developing a critical awareness of the relationship between design tools and outcomes. Such an understanding of how parametric modelling and fabrication strategies affect the design process will be developed and tested through reflective writing.
Costs to Students:
Students will be required to purchase modelling and drawing materials to complete this subject, including costs to purchase 3D modelling software and cover laser cutting and 3d printing activities; the overall cost is estimated to be approx. $300 to $400 per person.
Rhinoceros3D offers a 90-day free trial version. Note that future subjects in your major may require this software, especially if you are majoring in Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Therefore, purchasing a student license is recommended.
Students can subscribe to use Adobe Creative Cloud (CC) for a monthly fee. Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign from the CC are required in this subject.
Other software and plugins recommended for this subject are available for free, e.g. Grasshopper for Rhinoceros3D.
Details of software availability and pricing are captured at https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/graduate-research/resources/it-support#software
Intended learning outcomes
Students who have successfully completed this subject should be able to:
- Apply a variety of design production techniques to analyse and reinterpret design precedents, using both analogue and digital tools of abstraction, formulation, evaluation, development of ideas.
- Use a variety of model making techniques to support design thinking, including physical and digital models, as well as laser cutting, 3D printing and other digital fabrication methods.
- Communicate complex spatial conditions and formal properties of an architecture project through drawings, diagrams, workflows and prototypes.
- Critically reflect on and discuss digital and physical artefacts, and their role in design processes and techniques.
Generic skills
- Problem identification, formulation and solution.
- Independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning.
- Communication skills in written and graphic formats through a variety of media.
- Proficiency in the use of analogue and digital design processes and techniques.
- Independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning.
- Communications skills in verbal, written and graphic formats.
- Time management.
- Teamwork.
Last updated: 6 December 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARCH10001 | Foundations of Design: Representation |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
ENVS20001 Digital Design and Fabrication
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: 6 December 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Assignment 1: "Diagramming". Written and graphic submission, including digital and/or physical models, and in-class participation.
| From Week 1 to Week 4 | 30% |
Assignment 2: "Design Workflows". Written and graphic submission, including digital and/or physical models, and in-class participation.
| From Week 5 to Week 8 | 35% |
Assignment 3: "Prototyping". Written and graphic submission, including digital and/or physical models, and in-class participation.
| From Week 9 to Week 12 | 35% |
Last updated: 6 December 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Alberto Pugnale Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 54 hours in total ( 12 x 1 hour lecture , 12 x 2 hours tutorial classes, and 9 x 2-hours technical tutorials) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Coordinator Dominik Holzer Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 54 hours in total ( 12 x 1 hour lecture , 12 x 2 hours tutorial classes, and 9 x 2-hours technical tutorials) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 2 August 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 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).
- Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.
Last updated: 6 December 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- 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
tudents will be required to purchase modelling and drawing materials to complete this subject, including costs to purchase 3D modelling software and cover laser cutting and 3d printing activities; the overall cost is estimated to be approx. $300 to $400 per person.
- Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- 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.
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
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 6 December 2023