IDN3001 · Industrial design studio 4

Overview

In this unit, you will explore the social role of industrial design as an advocacy-driven, holistic approach to problem-solving that drives positive social and behavioural change. You will gain foundational knowledge by examining how industrial design practice can critically address contemporary social, political, economic, and environmental challenges - particularly those aligned with Sustainable Development Goals 10, 11, and 13. Using design thinking, you will develop human-centred solutions that respond to real-world needs and contexts, advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion. The unit includes collaboration with Industry or Community partners, where you'll design with stakeholders on both directed and speculative briefs. Project outcomes will be presented to stakeholders at multiple stages of development throughout the semester. Your process and learning outcomes will be documented in a process journal, and final proposals will take the form of detailed models or prototypes, demonstrating your human-centred approach and capacity to drive meaningful societal impact.

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

100% in-semester assessment

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of users’ needs and of the social role of industrial design practice by identifying design principles that address complex social, political, economic, and environmental issues;
2. Apply design thinking and methodologies to develop and test human-centred solutions that respond to user needs;
3. Synthesise insights from social, political, economic, and environmental contexts and integrate knowledge from industrial design practice to create design solutions that address social impact and drive behavioural change;
4. Work collaboratively with individuals, including external stakeholders, and peer groups to develop impactful solutions to real-world challenges, exhibiting empathy and social responsibility, while effectively presenting outcomes to diverse audiences;
5. Reflect on the broader implications of industrial design, evaluating how your design decisions and outcomes influence diverse users and communities, and demonstrating a commitment to social justice, equity, and sustainability;
6. Engage in reflective practice to evaluate personal learning progress, by critically responding to feedback, identifying strategies for continued skill development and self-directed learning in industrial design.

Workload

24 hours per week including 6 contact hours plus 18 hours of independent study.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.