6 credit points

This unit of study aims to give the student an understanding of design as a general activity in its own right, comparative to other activities such as science and art. It aims to stress the importance of design (and its consequences) as an activity concerned with changing the state of the existing environment through a set of conscious and purposeful actions. It aims to demonstrate that the study of the design process can be undertaken in a general manner independent of any discipline through the study of design methodology and design cognition. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: an understanding of the importance and generality of design as an activity by having them reflect on the nature of design across the various disciplines and its relation to other activities such as Science and Art; an awareness of the knowledge and processes involved in design and to apply such knowledge and processes in their approach to design, as for example in the Design Studio. This awareness is reinforced by the assignments that are designed to make students think about design objects in a more analytical fashion as well as assessing their understanding of material presented; an understanding of how designers think and acquire a methodology to study designers. This is reinforced by assignments which require students to study designers and report on their observations; an understanding of the issues involved in design thinking research and gain a knowledge of methods for studying design thinking; an understanding of the need for critical examination and both objective and subjective analysis and judgement through the reports submitted. This unit is core in the Bachelor of Design Computing and elective in other programs. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: 3 hours per week contact hours; 1.5 hours per week class preparation; 19 hours per semester assessment preparation.

12 credit points

In studying this unit, students will: develop an understanding of how to conceptualise and communicate design concepts through image, shape, lines, colour, composition, morphing, layout, and text; be introduced to digital image representation and technology through design projects; become proficient with the elements of digital design technology including digital images, vector graphics, font, montage, photography; develop skills in digital imaging software such as Photoshop, and graphical layout software such as Illustrator; and develop experience with significant digital design issues. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated skills in sourcing, developing, and designing a range of digital media content through a series of tutorial exercises; knowledge of digital design through the incremental development of a series of design projects; knowledge of how to incorporate frame-based animation and morphing with their digital designs through tutorial exercises. This unit is a core studio in the Bachelor of Design Computing program. This unit is a foundation for knowledge of image design and digital media design techniques. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: Contact hours: 12 hours per week; Class preparation: 9 hours per week; Assessment preparation: 39 hours per semester.

6 credit points

This unit aims to teach students an understanding of the stages involved in the development of software for design computation; skills in the design and implementation of software for design tasks and in the team development of software. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: skills in using software tools to build interactive, visual design applications through individual and group programming assignments; knowledge of object-oriented programming concepts through individual and group programming assignments; implementation techniques such as editing, using libraries, team programming, and compilation and runtime environments through individual and group programming assignments; knowledge of the Java programming language including: classes, methods, object creation, instance and local variables, primitive and object types, simple I/O, and control flow through individual and group programming assignments; knowledge of software design and development processes including analysis of requirements, design of classes, software lifecycles, and managing software projects through group programming assignments. This unit is core of Bachelor of Design Computing. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: Contact hours: 3 hours per week; Class preparation: 3 hours per week; Assessment preparation: 19 hours per semester.

6 credit points

The aim of this unit is to impart to students an understanding of the similarities and differences of computer-mediated and face-to-face communication; skills in the use of collaborative tools such as email, shared whiteboards, bulletin boards, video conferences and shared modelling environments. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: an understanding of synchronous and asynchronous communication technologies through the collaborative project report; an understanding of communication and representation of design data in a computer mediated collaborative design project in the development of the collaborative project report; skills in using collaborative technologies in the tutorial exercises. This unit is core for Bachelor of Design Computing and elective for other programs. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: Contact hours: 3 hours per week; class preparation: 1.5 hours per week; assessment preparation: 19 hours per semester.

6 credit points

In studying this unit, students will: be introduced to digital image representation and technology; become proficient with the elements of digital design technology including digital images, vector graphics, font, montage, photography; develop skills in digital imaging software such as Photoshop, and graphical layout software such as Illustrator. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: skills in sourcing, developing, and designing a range of digital media content through a series of tutorial exercises; knowledge of how to incorporate frame-based animation and morphing with their digital designs through tutorial exercises. This unit is part of the Digital Architecture stream in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture. Not available in the Bachelor of Design Computing. Elective in other programs. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: contact hours: 3 hours per week; class preparation: 1.5 hours per week; assessment preparation: 19 hours per semester.

6 credit points

The aim of this unit is to introduce knowledge and skills required for computer aided production and presentation of 1) 2D draughting and 3D modelling, for design and documentation and 2) static and dynamic visualisations of constructed object designs; develop computing skills in the use of object oriented 3D modelling tools to produce and display accurate models of domestic scale buildings and structures; introduce issues, principles and practice of model organisation, production and presentation, including design analysis, model structuring, documentation and economy of means. ArchiCAD is an object-oriented CAD application developed especially for documenting and creating 3D visualisation of buildings. This unit of study introduces the use of object tools for modelling and displaying 3 dimensional building elements such as walls, slabs, columns, beams and roofs, structured by means of layers and storeys. At the conclusion of this unit competencies in the use of ArchiCAD software will be sufficient for students to be able to produce computer generated: multilayered 2D design and construction drawings, complete with dimensions, notations and conventional drawing graphics; 3D parallel and perspective representations with shaded, coloured or rendered surfaces; static and dynamic presentations that enhance and extend design communications. This unit is part of the Digital Architecture stream in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture.

6 credit points

The objectives of the unit are to develop a comprehensive understanding of interactive multimedia; to extend fundamentals learned in Interaction Design Studio (DECO1200) or Interactive Multimedia Design (DECO2102); to understand how humans interact with computers; to develop interface design that elicits engagement and interaction; and to develop an advanced knowledge of screen design principles and navigational methodologies. This unit aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of multimedia authoring, extending fundamentals learned in Interactive Multimedia Design and Web-based Design Information Systems. Students will investigate effective navigational and design strategies for engaging interactive multimedia interface design. Students will develop an understanding of 2D vector-based animation and navigational techniques applied to a project authored with Macromedia Flash. ActionScripting knowledge will be developed to extend the generative, interactive, and external data interfacing capabilities of the authoring environment. Final projects will demonstrate implementation and understanding of aesthetic design principles, design architecture, and effective, efficient interactive interface design. Innovative applications of interactive multimedia, for example generative and real-time design and interactive navigational systems will extend the understanding of interface design. Students will develop further understanding of HCI and develop strategies to apply this understanding to interactive design projects. Delivery, integration of media, controlling audio and video, and a grammatical and conceptual understanding of scripting in Flash will be treated as an extension of these interactive capabilities. At the conclusion of the unit students should have a well-developed understanding of human-computer interaction demonstrated through the structure and design of an interactive multimedia project; an understanding of efficient navigational and innovative interface design eliciting user interaction and demonstrated knowledge of responsive multimedia; an understanding of technical methods to link content and external data to the multimedia product.

6 credit points

The objectives of the unit are to introduce the computer animation process in 3D; to understand 3D modelling, texturing, rendering, and lighting; and to develop an understanding of motion, kinematics and basic animation. This elective forms an introduction to the 3D computer-based animation process from understanding 3D modelling, texturing, rendering and lighting to developing time-based sequences involving relative motion of objects, character animation, the skeleton, skinning, kinematics and polygons. Students will acquire basic animation skills, transfer traditional animation principles to computer graphics, and develop the skills to create an animated sequence in 3D. Basic knowledge will be related to foundational technical skills in AliasWavefront Maya and aims to serve as an introduction to further animation learning. At the conclusion f this unit a student should have acquired an understanding of animation in relation to 3D computer graphic software; understood the concepts and implementation of modelling principles involving light, texture and polygonal shapes; applied basic knowledge of animation to characters demonstrated in a significant project.

6 credit points

This unit aims to provide: an overview of the Faculty's research projects in design computing; an overview of research methods in design computing; instruction on how to write a preliminary research proposal for a project in design computing. This is a seminar unit of study in which the academic staff in design computing and cognition will present their research projects to the potential honours students. The students will also be taught how to prepare a preliminary research project proposal and be introduced to some of the research methods used in design computing. At the conclusion of the unit a preliminary research proposal will demonstrate the student's ability to identify a research area and a preliminary research plan.

12 credit points

The field of information visualization focuses on how non-physical data can be effectively represented to users, in an interactive and automatic way. This unit of study will introduce the principles of information visualization design, with special attention to metaphoric mapping, human-computer interaction, user engagement, and interdisciplinary insights. Topics will include: abstract data visualization (graphical, ambient or non-visual); metaphor creation and evaluation; interdisciplinary influences; server-side programming and client-side scripting. After successful completion of this unit of study, students will have acquired: an awareness of information visualization issues through reviews of significant research publications; a research methodology by the development of a relevant research paper; design skills required to develop an information visualization prototype using a real-world dataset; relevant knowledge about tools and programming languages that process data on the server-side and present information interactively on the client-side. This unit is core unit for Bachelor of Design Computing students only. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: contact hours: 12 hours per week; class preparation: 9 hours per week; assessment preparation: 39 hours per semester.

6 credit points

This unit aims to give the student an understanding of the basic concepts of modelling and presentation so that they will develop skills in creating and using 3D models for various design tasks. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have: demonstrated an understanding of how physical objects are represented in 3D digital models by modelling various 3D geometric entities and processes required; demonstrated critical judgment, be capable of rigorous and independent thinking and use appropriate information technology techniques to communicate their knowledge through the production of efficient design presentations and documentation; an understanding of boundary representations, solid modelling, parametric models, texture mapping, light sources, camera locations and projections, and model constraints through model development and presentation; acquire skills in using a 3D modelling system for 2D and 3D objects and in creating photorealistic images, movies, VR scenes, and simple animations from 3D models that accurately describe design variations, intent, and structure. These skills will be assessed through the tutorial exercises and the submission of a portfolio of 3D models. This unit is core in the Bachelor of Design Computing. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: 3 hours per week contact hours; 1.5 hours per week class preparation; 19 hours per semester assessment preparation.

6 credit points

This unit introduces sound as a design medium, with an emphasis on computer-based implementations; real world acoustical phenomena and psychoacoustics provide an approach for sound design; understanding of conceptual topics, including sound/image interaction, text and speech, auditory display, source streaming and segregation, functions for music and spatial audio are developed; technical and technological issues, e.g. data formats and interfaces will be addressed; students will explore methodologies for abstract information sonification and responsive sonic representations for interactive installation spaces and sensate environments; generative techniques, including evolutionary and genetic algorithms, Artificial Life and stochastic computational processes for creating new sound designs are investigated; this unit considers the contribution of sound design to ambient music, interactive responses and way finding cues in interactive virtual environments. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: knowledge of responsive interaction and sound design to a range of contexts through design projects; application of conceptual knowledge using current sensate, interactive and virtual environment technologies through design projects; skills in computer-based implementation of sound design key principles through tutorial exercises; understanding of sound design, especially in relation to interactive contexts, links to virtual environment design, the digital design studio and sound utilised in interactive multimedia through design projects; understanding of the transformation of abstract data into sonification (shares a conceptual grounding with information visualization) through design projects. This is a core unit in the Bachelor of Design Computing. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: contact hours: 3 hours per week; class preparation: 1.5 hours per week; assessment preparation: 19 hours per semester.

6 credit points

The aim of the unit is to teach students an understanding of a range of algorithms that can automatically generate designs, such as genetic algorithms, simulated annealing, shape grammars, and swarm intelligence. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: knowledge of the use of an existing generative program to generate a family of designs and report on how the algorithm works through the programming assignment and report; knowledge of how to extend a selected program by using scripting to address specific design goals and forms through the programming assignment and report; skills in implementing a generative design system through the programming assignment and report. This unit is core in the Bachelor of Design Computing. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: contact hours: 3 hours per week; class preparation: 1.5 hours per week; assessment preparation: 19 hours per semester.

6 credit points

This unit introduces interactivity and multimedia through design projects; students will develop narrative and storytelling through nonlinear interactive multimedia; elements of interaction design including menus, hotspots, screen design, motion, animation and sound integration will be addressed for various media, including the Internet, CD-ROMs, kiosks, interactive TV, broadcast media and DVD; management and organisation of interaction through storyboarding and prototyping will cultivate methodologies for responding to a brief; software used includes Director, Flash, Dreamweaver. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: the application of knowledge of interaction design to a range of contexts, for the Internet and standalone media, through project submissions; knowledge of narrative and engagement in nonlinear interactive contexts through project submissions; knowledge of scripting and markup languages for enabling dynamic content and interactive designs, e.g. Lingo, ActionScript, HTML, JavaScript through tutorial exercises; understanding of interaction developed using mouse, keyboard, computer and traditional interfaces through tutorial exercises. This unit is part of the Digital Architecture stream in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture. Not available in the Bachelor of Design Computing. Elective in other programs. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: contact hours: 12 hours per week; class preparation: 9 hours per week; assessment preparation: 39 hours per semester.

6 credit points

This unit aims to give the student an understanding of the basic concepts of modelling and presentation so that they will develop skills in creating and using 3D models for various design tasks. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrate: an understanding of how physical objects are represented in 3D digital models by modelling various 3D geometric entities and processes required; critical judgment, be capable of rigorous and independent thinking and use appropriate information technology techniques to communicate their knowledge through the production of efficient design presentations and documentation; an understanding of boundary representations, solid modelling, parametric models, texture mapping, light sources, camera locations and projections, and model constraints through model development and presentation; acquire skills in using a 3D modelling system for 2D and 3D objects and in creating photorealistic images, movies, VR scenes, and simple animations from 3D models that accurately describe design variations, intent, and structure. These skills will be assessed through the tutorial exercises and the submission of a portfolio of 3D models. This unit is part of the Digital Architecture stream in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture. Not available in the Bachelor of Design Computing. Elective in other programs. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: contact hours: 3 hours per week; class preparation: 1.5 hours per week; assessment preparation: 19 hours per semester.

6 credit points

This unit will introduce knowledge and skills required for computer aided production and presentation of 1) 2D draughting and 3D modelling, for design and documentation and 2) visualisations of constructed object designs; develop computing skills in the use of object oriented 3D modelling tools to produce and display accurate models of domestic scale buildings and structures; introduce issues, principles and practice of model organisation, production and presentation, including design analysis, model structuring, documentation and economy of means. AutoCAD is considered an industry standard CAD application for many design professions, combining both traditional drawing and object oriented CAD functionalities. This unit of study introduces the use of AutoCAD tools for drawing, modelling and visualisation, structured by means of layers and blocks. At the completion of this unit competencies in the use of AutoCAD software will be sufficient for students to be able to produce computer generated: multilayered 2D design and construction drawings, complete with dimensions, notations and conventional drawing graphics; 3D wireframe, surface and solid models; 3D parallel and perspective representations with shaded, coloured or rendered surfaces; computer based presentations that enhance and extend design communications. This unit is part of the Digital Architecture stream in the Bachelor of Design in Architecture.

6 credit points

This unit is based on the emerging 'demoscene' field to describe and experience the newest computer graphics methods in compelling visual designs. 'Demo' or game 'intro' design and implementation is a relatively unexplored interdisciplinary artistic field that is capable of exploiting the most novel 3D computer graphics simulation techniques to generate immersive experiences that provoke imagination and engagement. Using new authoring software, dynamic behaviours will be designed and implemented that surpass frame-based animations and instead incorporate unpredictable manipulations by rule-based principles. In this unit, students will develop a real-time 3D 'demo' animation, containing compelling graphics and music. All used effects are influenced by abstract data sources and emergent principles, in order to create an artistic data representation that present information on an experiential level. The resulting demos can be displayed in real-world physical environments, used as real-time changing screensavers or online 3D worlds. In addition, students will be asked to review and present recent academic research contributions in the fields of 3D real-time multimedia, computer graphics or computer vision. The objectives of the unit are to introduce the principles of real-time 3D multimedia production and authoring; introduce contemporary computer graphics applications, techniques and research directions, including the graphics pipeline, shading, texturing, rendering methods, computer vision, etc; introduce real-time 3D issues in the context of virtual reality technology, game development, human-computer interaction and 3D demo implementation; and introduce the optimised implementation of 3D effects, simulation and rule-based behaviour modelling.

6 credit points

The aim of the Design Computing Research Opportunity is to allow a student to participate in each phase of research activity: developing a research plan in conjunction with the staff member; proposal writing; conducting research; analysing data; and presenting results in oral and written form. At the end of the unit the student will have experience in developing research proposals, conducting research and presenting their results. Design Computing Research Opportunity offers the opportunity for a Bachelor of Design Computing student to work with an academic staff member on research-based intellectual collaborations. The student works on an existing research activity of the staff member. It can be one of the most important means for students to develop an understanding of research as an intellectual endeavour and to foster mentoring research relationships with academic staff. The research proposal, which is the first progress report, will demonstrate the student's ability to work within an existing research. The second progress report will identify the student's capacity to work on a research project within an existing research program and becomes a demonstration of the research skills being developed. The final report will take the form of a research paper and is used to develop the student's skills in presenting research results.

12 credit points

New technologies in design computing have the potential to not only improve the quality of designs, but to change the way we design and the kinds of design we create. Meanwhile the tethering of humans to machines constructs an intimacy which pushes human-computer interaction (HCI) towards human-computer agency. What new capacity exists when people and machines are brought together in the embodiment of agency? This unit of study will cover designing innovative and novel forms of human computer interaction, and the design of HCI for objects that have information content, embedded computation, and intelligence. The students will explore through designing the evolution of design computing from one in which humans manipulate computing to create objects to one in which humans and computing devices co-create objects that create humanistic experiences. The unit of study aims to graduate the students from the degree with the confidence to apply their design computing and digital media skills to a wide array of design problems that they may encounter in various industries. Upon completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated the capacity to investigate and integrate advanced design computing technologies into the design of objects with novel forms of human computer interaction. The unit of study also reinforces the students' experiences in designing through reflection-in-action of the design process. This unit of study has three objectives situated in two learning contexts: studio and classroom. The studio context encapsulates the first two objectives. First, the unit of study is operationally focused. The classroom context enables the lecture component of the subject. The lectures will introduce the students to philosophical and technical perspectives on designing products with an emphasis on the human element. On the successful completion of this unit of study, students will have demonstrated: (1) an understanding of user-centered design (UCD), and through this process, realise an operational prototype of an interactive computing product. The operational prototype is the primary vehicle of assessment. (2) Skills in advanced design computing technologies through the tutorial exercises. These skills will enable the students to complete the design project; the capacity of the students to utilise and extend these skills will be assessed by the embodiment of these skills in the final design. The unit incorporates all of the skills that the students have developed throughout their studies in design computing and digital media not only in the realization of the product for the project but also in the interim submissions. (3) An understanding of philosophical and technical perspectives on designing products with an emphasis on the human element will be assessed through studio critique and commentary, and written essays. This unit is core for the Bachelor of Design Computing. Student effort expected for an average student to achieve a pass level result: contact hours: 12 hours per week; class preparation: 9 hours per week; assessment preparation: 39 hours per semester.