DSGN6026 DESIGN IDENTITY

This subject introduces students to philosophical and theoretical lenses for interpreting the various contexts of reception within which their designs will be encountered, engaged with, experienced or consumed. Design Identity, focuses specifically on ‘the connections of text as a stimulus to design approaches and understanding but more importantly on new ways of seeing. In this subject students engage with texts that are, or have been, influential in shaping ways in which designers and design theory engages the worlds that designed things enter into and subsequently re-define. A range of differing texts, including theoretical, literary and designed texts, and texts utilizing different media, are introduced and explored.

DSGN6027 DESIGN CONTENT

This subject provides a suite of cross disciplinary, practice based topics for designers in the areas of, time, space, motion and interaction. Designers will explore conceptual challenges and questions of visual expression in the quest to develop useful, usable and resonant designs for good. This will include understanding and articulating ‘user experience’, the role of design in humanizing information, the aesthetic and conceptual dynamics of effective communication, branding and communication within the international industry landscape.

DSGN6028 DESIGN FUTURES

This subject introduces designers to research methodologies as a basis for identifying problems which can be the catalyst to bring about change. Students gain skills in the analysis of research data using grounded theory and phenomenography, in addition to visual research methods used as a foundation for creative and design solutions inherent in cross-disciplinary creative practice. By means of reflection, analysis and contextualising an identified culture—their own or others— and by drawing on its philosophies, typical behaviours and patterns, designers explore, elicit and assess problems to instigate creative group projects. The design practices foster understanding of, and connection with, the contexts that designed things participate in, enrich and often transform. The additional emphasis is on problem identification that informs and leads to enhanced futures based on successful creative outcomes.

DSGN6029 RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This subject culminates in a synthesised project proposal as foundation for the Cap-stone Project. Consideration of ethics and approaches to potentially sensitive research are identified before approval of the research approach by the University Ethics Committee. During this subject designers develop and consolidate their understanding of research practices as well as findings in order to thoroughly analyse and review collected information gathered without any demographic constraints. The proposal stipulates the problem and the solution as it appears, the research focus group (if any) as well as the type of research to be conducted. Creative and societal innovation founded on research but also reflexive practice is to be considered in the proposal for the Capstone Project. At the end of this subject designers will have proposed the foundations of a self-initiated project that exhibits a sophisticated understanding of contemporary design practice based on triple line philosophy: 1) environmental sustainability; 2) social, ethics and creative responsibility combined with; 3) financial responsibility

DSGN6030 DESIGN & ECONOMIES

The practice of design has always been profoundly shaped by the particular economies in which it has been embedded. The demands placed on both human and non-human ecologies by 20th century growth-based economies, are evidently unsustainable. Increasing acknowledgment of ecological stress upon the planet, in tandem with the economic instability of the first decades of the 21st century, have given impetus to a rethinking of our assumptions about the economy. Over the past decades a number of critical thinkers have proposed new approaches to the economy. What are the implications of these potential economies for design? How might more sustainable approaches to the economy open up new possibilities for design? What might be the role of design in the transition to a different economy?

DSGN6031 SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

The theoretical base of this subject focuses on developing the students’ understanding of the fundamental contemporary theories of social entrepreneurship and a variety of applicable business models. The course will explore cross discipline material encompassing design, business and technology and how to acquire and combine knowledge and skills in all 3 areas to amplify the potential for success in 21st century society. At the core of this subject will be a focus on customer experience design, both theory and skill, and why user centric principles are increasingly used in business today. Students will explore the application of entrepreneurship business strategies and apply this knowledge in a philanthropic context and come up with solution to a real world problem they can execute to the pitch ready stage for investment. The project will entail some type of ‘design for good’ aspect in either a profit or non-for-profit business model.

Students will be expected to think critically as they evaluate complex ideas and learn the patterns, frameworks and mechanics or storytelling, behavior design, game design and platform design.

Students will be expected to:

• Analyse a social problem that needs to be solved.
• Plan and progress an idea through a business development lifecycle.
• Plan and progress an idea by utilising a self-constructed questionnaire .
• Synthesise and visualise quantitative and qualitative data in order to communicate the patterns they discover in the data collected.
• Learn the basics of using a business model and value proposition canvas as tools for design.
• Create, present, and communicate a professional-level business deck along with a functional prototype in order to demonstrate their understanding of theoretical and practical concepts.
• Learn and practice lean start-up and design thinking principles in the validation of their business idea along with validation of the prototype for the product or service they create.

DSGN6032 CAPSTONE PROJECT

The final subject requires students to execute, finalise and present their self- initiated project exhibiting a sophisticated understanding of contemporary design practice, whilst addressing the university ethos. Central to the project will be evidence of critical analysis and reflexive and reflective practice, social engagement, in addition to the use of refined visual language in its execution with particular industry relevancy for which their project is intended. Students must draw on the philosophical, practical, methodological, theoretical and technical tools they have gathered over the duration of the degree to complete a successful project. Students are individually mentored through this project by a supervisor with complementary practice-based research expertise. Projects can be static or interactive, print or digital, objects or installations, and could incorporate sound or moving image, but could also be a systems design of a problem. Students must complete all other required subjects before undertaking the Capstone project. Trimester 5 Trimester 8 Trimester 3 DSGN6033 Major project (Advanced) The Major Project builds upon the Capstone project enabling students to develop and apply strategic processes, creative tools and research for innovation in design and to independently apply highly specialised knowledge of professional managerial or project management practice creating a truly interdisciplinary perspective while engaging with the industry

MGMT6000 DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP

MGMT6012 MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVES

MGMT6013 MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

MGMT6014 ORGANISATIONAL BEST PRACTICE

PROJ6000 PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

PROJ6004 CONTRACTS & PROCUREMENT

PROJ6005 SUSTAINABILITY IN PROJECT

DID602A USER EXPERIENCE DESIGN

DID603A MULTI-PLATFORM EXPERIENCE DESIGN

DTE401 DESIGN THINKING

TED403 TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION

DID600A INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT

FA302 PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO PRODUCTION

(Co-requisite FA301A)

In this subject, students continue to develop their knowledge of digital applications used for the staging and compilation of folios, look books and technical drawings commonly used in apparel design. Based on their acquired knowledge of the different aspects of showroom, promotional and technical portfolios used in the industry, students will explore nonconventional ways to develop their own staging style for their professional folio for each setting.

The subject is designed from a professional perspective and addresses several requirements. It draws on the student’s ability to visually communicate to the production team the technical aspects of the garments they design and it requires the students to evocatively and adventurously communicate their designs in order to generate sales. In addition, the design look book will enable the student to communicate their understanding of what constitutes a collection.

FA301A COLLECTION DESIGN

This unit provides students with the opportunity to design a coordinated group of branded fashion products that clearly exhibits their relationship through design style, fabric choice and manufacturing techniques. Design work in this unit is underpinned by the theory of coordination in garment design, including the formation of a collection and the relationships of individual items. Students will be required to conduct research within a given target and niche market to identify needs and opportunities; this research is augmented by a search of materials, accessories and manufacturing techniques. The culmination of this unit is a collection of a coordinated range compiled appropriately to typical industry requirements. Students are expected to demonstrate their flexibility and creative problem solving acumen to build a product line within industry confinements.

SEN301 SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Social Enterprise is an exciting theoretically-based subject that is driven by the desire to create positive change through entrepreneurial activities. These activities harness design thinking and problem-solving processes in the realisation of pragmatic, viable project proposals from initiation to client presentation. By providing students with a framework to understand business model generation and the skills to source, evaluate, and measure opportunities through systematic research and competitor analysis, Social Enterprise empowers students to conceptualise, develop and propose new ventures and products that focus primarily upon social change for good. In addition, this subject will help students understand and address the practical challenges of working within this environment; to analyse different entrepreneurial business strategies, to explore diverse funding strategies, as well as incorporate theoretical discussions on major trends and issues in the social economy. Social Enterprise enables students to appreciate the power of creativity in problem-solving and the importance of the designer’s role in making a difference and precipitating change.

WIL302 WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING

This subject is designed to provide students with professional experience in an area related to their field of study or the career they are working towards. The aim of providing industry-specific opportunities is to enable students to develop skills that will enhance their prospects of gaining meaningful employment and building their career for the future. Much of the benefit of work integrated learning comes from observation, practicing under supervision and reflection. Work Integrated Learning is an excellent way to broaden the students learning environment while they are studying. It allows them to see first-hand how what they are learning in their degree translates into practice, as well as how ‘real world’ practice relates to what they are learning at University. This subject will develop work ready skills and boost students’ employability while they are studying. There are two work integrated learning options available to students:

Option 1: Internship

Students are offered the opportunity to work within a professional design environment for an extended period of time. It encourages students to build long-term relationships with the design industry and exposes them to the rigour of applied design practice while building their confidence in adapting to new environments. It also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will undertake a series of research tasks, conducting interviews and gathering data in order to understand the key concepts in managing a professional design practice with emphasis placed on the operation of the professional design environment.

Option 2: Industry Live Brief

This subject requires students to respond to criteria set within the context of an Industry Live Project. An understanding of research methodologies appropriate to professional practice and the documentation of personal creative investigation will be explored. Students will also further investigate and examine entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities through collaborative work practice. The subject is delivered from a cross discipline perspective and draws on both discipline specific and common design practices. Students are required to work both independently or as part of a collaborative team in order to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions that expand the notion of an industry live brief.

FA307A BRANDED FASHION PRODUCTION

(Co-requisite FA306A)

In collaboration with industry, each student is required to develop a product series in response to a brief. Students will be required to research the market and develop a brand and its products for their target group. Whilst they develop their collection, students will need to liaise with the various sections of the industry pertinent to their chosen design theme or market. They will orchestrate the product development and fine-tune the progress towards a satisfactory outcome. The aim of this unit is for students to experience a real industry setting and to produce a small range of products that shows their ability to see a project through from start to finish. In addition, students will further develop their ability to problem solve and clearly communicate with various segments of the industry. Students are required to produce/manufacture a small group of coordinated garments to dress two people, the combination of which should be decided during the project. Each student’s finished product is exhibited during showcase for judging by an industry panel. Students collaborate to exhibit their major work to the industry in a group exhibition.

FA306A TECHNICAL PORTFOLIO PRODUCTION

(Co-requisite FA307A)

In this unit, students are required to apply their advanced computer design knowledge to produce a technical portfolio to communicate the technical requirements of their garments designed in FA307 Branded Fashion Production. The technical portfolio must facilitate communication between the designer and the production team in the fabrication of garments. The outcome is an industry folio of technical documents containing annotated drawings of the entire product range developed in FA306. This document will provide evidence of the students’ understanding and familiarity with the principles and practices of the industry, specifically in relation to communicating a design with manufacturers and in product costing garments. Students will be required to manage their own work, including industry liaison, so that unit deadlines are met. In this module students demonstrate their computer skills and their advanced time management skills. Students collaborate to exhibit their major work to the industry in a group exhibition.

FA305A PORTFOLIO RANGE

The outcome of this subject is the development and production of a commercial marketing and merchandising brand pack, which can be fully digitally produced. Students extend on their brand essence and rationale by using photography, graphic design or digital media design to communicate their brand collateral and product line. In a problem based learning scenario, students work together to provide critique and feedback to the design development of the work of the members of their peer group in order to solve their design problems in view of a product showcase presented to an industry panel.