The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

MDIA 1018 - Design Fundamentals

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Designs of images, stories and technologies are central to the ways that we engage with the world. However, our capacity to make, share, and evaluate designs has radically expanded throughout history, with profound impacts. In this course, you will engage with histories of designs and design cultures from around the world and locate cutting edge media production within this historical context to better understand how to put compelling designs into practice. Key concepts that this course introduces include theories of aesthetics, narrative structures and philosophies of design and ethics. Design Fundamentals introduces students in the Story Production, Visual Design and Immersive Media courses to central concerns of their field, as well as providing a focused engagement with design and technology for students in other programs.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 1018
    Course Design Fundamentals
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Story map, Peer assessment, Video essay and exegesis, Participation
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Darren Taljaard

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate understanding of design theories, practices and principles
    2. Apply theory to case study analysis
    3. Utilise design practices to demonstrate understanding of key concepts
    4. Be able to communicate design concepts in collaboration with others
    5. Determine appropriate design strategies for a variety of scenarios
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1,2,5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 2,3,4,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 3,4,5

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 3,4,5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 3,4,5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    More information about required resources will be provided through MyUni.
    Recommended Resources
    More information about recommended resources will be provided through MyUni.
    Online Learning
    This course makes extensive use of MyUni, and all assignments are submitted via MyUni. Other websites may also be used.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is taught via a 2-hour weekly workshop. You will prepare for your workshop each week by completing assigned readings and watching an online, pre-recorded lecture. You will also complete design tasks in preparation for selected workshops.
    Workshops are an essential part of this course. Failure to attend regularly and prepare adequately may disadvantage you in this course.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Structured Learning:

    1 x 1-hour lecture per week

    1 x 2-hour workshop per week

    Self-directed Learning

    1 hour reading per week

    3 hours best-practice/professional engagement per week

    2 hours individual research per week

    4 hours assignment preparation per week
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1: Welcome, Introduction & What is Design?
    Week 2: Design & Storytelling - Narrative 1
    Week 3: Design & Storytelling - Narrative 2
    Week 4: Design Culture 1
    Week 5: Design Culture 2
    Week 6: Human Centered Design
    Week 7: Themes & Design Rules
    Week 8: Presentations
    Week 9: Design & Critical Thinking - 10 Rules for Good Design
    Week 10: Exhibition Examples
    Week 11: Assignment Preparation
    Week 12: Revision & Feedback
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    ASSESSMENT TASK TASK TYPE
    (formative/ summative)    		 WEIGHTING COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
    Concept Pitch & Peer Assessment  Summative 10% 1, 2, 4
    Design Proposal & Presentation Summative 30% 1, 3, 4, 5
    Design Project & Reflection Summative 50% 2, 3, 4, 5
    Participation Summative 10% 1, 2, 4
    Assessment Detail

    No information currently available.

    Submission
    All assignments will be submitted electronically via the MyUni course site.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines

    This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.

  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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