Design Visualisation: Digital Techniques (ARCH30005)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability(Quotas apply)
Semester 2
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Design Visualisation: Digital Techniques forms part of the Digital Visualisation specialisation in the Bachelor Design

This subject brings together practical know-how and critical thinking around the field of digital visualisations of space using industry standard software. Building on the digital representational and design skills acquired in the pre-requisite subject, students will learn the principles of colour, material mapping, lighting, composition, entourage, story boarding, rendering and animation techniques. Students will acquire new skills for building digital models, setting up ‘cameras’, adding ‘entourage’ (people, vegetation etc) with post-production across an ecology of software. The subject will be delivered through a series of lectures, specialist software workshop led by industry expert and tutorials. The outcome will be a portfolio of image rendering and animation positioned within a critical theoretical context of image-production in contemporary design practice. Concluding each lecture and workshop, students will be introduced to self-teaching modules that will enable further experimentation with media and techniques. 

Prescribed software programs with no cost
Autodesk 3DS Max
Prescribed software programs with a cost
McNeel Rhino (optional)
Chaos Group Vray
Adobe Creative Suite

Details of software availability and pricing are captured at  https://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/student-experience/it-support


 

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Apply professional and theoretical principles of design visualisation within contemporary, industry-standard software workflows.
  • Develop and iteratively refine design visualisations through digital modelling, rendering, and visual composition.
  • Evaluate the use of colour, texture mapping, lighting, and composition principles in developing and completed design visualisations.
  • Discuss and reflect on design visualisation processes and outcomes practiced through considered graphical communication, layout, and composition.

Generic skills

  • Upon successful completion of this subject the student will have had the opportunity to develop the following generic skills: • Engage confidently in self-directed study and research; • Communicate ideas effectively in written, graphic and oral formats • Use appropriate technologies • Developed an understanding of how such techniques are related to creative thinking

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ARCH20004 Design Processes and Techniques
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Completion of ARCH20002 (Design Studio Gamma), ARCH20003 (Modern Architecture: MoMo to PoMo) and ABPL20033 (Architectural Technology) is strongly recommended

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: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Module 1: contains documentation of techniques and outcome of rendering exercises collated in process journal format, 

  • 20-24 hours (of work required)
Week 420%

Module 2 contains composed interior rendering image  and process documentation collated in journal format

  • 25 -30 hours (of work required)
Week 825%

Module 3 contains composed rendering image and a choreographed animation (maximum 60 second ) sequence with verbal presentation

  • 35- 42 hours (of work required)
During the examination period35%

Portfolio submission contains formatted journal containing collated and composed renderings and animation (as stills) as a portfolio, equivalent to 24 hours of work

  • 20 -24 hours (of work required)
During the examination period20%

Additional details

Note: the hour indicated for the assessments excludes learning activities and contact hours

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Quotas apply to this subject

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    CoordinatorCraig McCormack
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours54 hours (8 hours of lectures and 46 hours of studios and workshops)
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025
    Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025
    Census date 1 September 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail26 September 2025
    Assessment period ends21 November 2025

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.

Additional delivery details

Quota 90

This subject has an automated quota. Your enrolment confirms your space in this subject. If you choose to withdraw from this subject you will be forfeiting your space and may be unable to enrol again. Please check the Handbook for more information.

Selection criteria: First come basis.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Course reader will be provided on LMS

  • Subject notes

    It is not recommended to take ARCH30005 (Design Visualisation: Digital Techniques) concurrently with either ARCH20002 (Design Studio Gamma), ARCH20003 (Modern Architecture: MoMo to PoMo), or ABPL20033 (Architectural Technology).

  • 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

    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: 4 March 2025