Units / TAD5400
TAD5400 · Design research methods
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Department of Design
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit examines methodological approaches to design research, from the scientifically oriented to the phenomenological, the discursive and the poetic. Attention is given to the way in which the terms of an investigation inevitably shape the material which is discovered. The range of topics may include techniques in information gathering and efficient management of bibliographic resources, postmodern theory, difference studies, post-structural writing and deconstruction. The unit ponders the relationship of studio research (i.e. designing innovative objects or spaces or interfaces) to conventional research.
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Caulfield | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
| Caulfield | Second semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project 1 | Project | 20% | — |
| 2 | Project 2 | Project | 40% | — |
| 3 | Project 3 | Project | 40% | — |
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
corequisite
- OHS1000 — Introduction to art and design health and safety
prohibitions
- TAD4523 — Design research methods and seminar
Learning outcomes
- Critically engage with advanced design theories, concepts and methods, while reflecting on your own understanding of key principles of design research;
- Apply relevant research skills and methods to investigate a contemporary design issue, analyse findings, and propose solutions to complex design challenges;
- Integrate advanced research methodologies to analyse, synthesise, and evaluate the influence of social, cultural, and environmental factors on design practices and complex design challenges;
- Respond to the needs, deliverables, and constraints of complex design projects by communicating research findings to diverse audiences using appropriate visual and verbal communication strategies;
- Apply design research to critically analyse, contextualise and reflect on the social and environmental impact of design solutions and demonstrate a commitment to responsible design practices;
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional development by critically reflecting on personal strengths and weaknesses in conducting design research and identifying areas for continuous improvement.
Workload
12 hours per week including 2 contact hours plus 10 hours of independent study.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 24 hours |
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