Design Computing Studio I - Interactive Technology (DECO1800)

Course overview

This course introduces students to studio-based learning and the Design Computing studio stream. Students work in small teams to design, iterate and implement user-centred design computing projects. Consolidating skills and knowledge from prior studies, students will move through concept and proposal to develop their designs using interactive technologies, keeping in mind the human and ethical impacts of their work. Through their individual work and the team project, students will begin to develop important skills such as problem solving, project management, team collaboration and design communication.

This course introduces students to the design process as it relates to the domain of interaction design and information technology. Students will be able to apply their understanding of technology, coding, and design, gained in previous courses such as DECO1400 and CSSE1001 to an iterative design project. Working in small teams, students will follow an iterative, user-centred design process to design and prototype interactive solutions in response to a given brief. Students will be introduced to methods and skills for the generation, refinement, and implementation of their solutions, including critical reflection, project scoping, and ethical impact analysis. Students will develop the ability to communicate design ideas effectively, identify different design approaches, and assess the impact and outcomes of these approaches on both their users and society as a whole. Additionally, they will gain skills in managing team-based projects, including conflict resolution and effective collaboration skills. These skills will be applicable in future studio subjects, including Design Computing Studio 2 and 3. At the end of the semester, students will present their work to teaching staff and peers at a final tradeshow.

This year the course has been decoupled from the postgraduate offering and the assumed background has been adjusted to reflect undergraduate pathways.

Course requirements

Assumed background

It is expected that students will have completed DECO1400 Introduction to Web Design prior to enrolling in this course. Students will be utilising and extending on the knowledge gained in that course in their design computing project work. It is expected that students are taking this course in their 2nd or 3rd semester of study.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

DECO1400

Companion or co-requisite courses

You'll need to complete the following courses at the same time:

CSSE1001

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

DECO7180

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course has 5 scheduled contact hours per student, each week. Studio and practical attendance are recorded. Students can expect to spend an additional 5 hours per week on assessment work.

Students are expected to participate fully in all class activities:

Studios (3 hours)

• introduces theory and practical design-related content to be explored through in-class exercises and applied in the team project; team mentoring and progress check-ins and project-based presentations.
• Studios commence in Week 1

Practicals (2 hours)

• develops individual design and technical skills through in-class exercises for use in the team project; provision of support for individual team project tasks.
• Practicals commence in week 1

Self-study (approx 5 hours)—students ﾠare expected to continue work outside scheduled class times on course activities, team project work and self-directed learning related to the project and individual portfolio.

End of Semester Tradeshow (Week 12 Studio)

Teams will demonstrate their final projects at an in-class tradeshow. All teams are required to be present for the entire 3 hours of the tradeshow. This is an in-person tradeshow for all students in the DECO1800 course. Please ensure this date is in your diary and you have cleared all other commitments.

Aims and outcomes

This course aims to:

• Introduce students to the studio class format, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical, project-based setting.
• Allow students to collaborate effectively in multi-disciplinary teams on a design computing project while introducing key techniques for project management and teamwork.
• Develop students’ ability to communicate effectively across multiple formats, including visual, oral, and written methods.
• Develop students’ ability to critically analyse and reflect on their design projects, allowing them to assess their work and identify areas for improvement.
• Develop students' understanding of ethical considerations in design, encouraging them to assess the societal, cultural, and moral impacts of their work.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Studio Design Journal

• Hurdle
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Written

Category

Notebook/ Logbook, Participation/ Student contribution, Reflection

Weight

2

Due date

Week 1 - Week 13

Final updates before 5pm. 31/10/2025

Regular updates are essential: You are required to post consistently from Week 1 to Week 13. Topics & activities to be included in the journal will be signposted in class. It is expected that posts will incorporate evidence such as photographs to document work completed.

Weekly deadline: Each week's entry must be completed and submitted by midday the day before your next scheduled studio class. This allows teaching staff sufficient time to review your submissions.

Final deadline for updates: to the Studio Design Journal is 5pm Friday Week 13.

Other conditions

Student specific, Longitudinal.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L04, L05, L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Online submission via OneNote Class Notebook accessible through Microsoft Teams or directly in OneNote. All entries are time-stamped. For accurate time-keeping, please enter a new note each time you have an update for the journal rather than editing one single entry for the whole semester.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

This assessment is developed and iterated on with students needing to act on regular formative feedback over the semester. This is to support the development of genuine reflective practice in the assessment and enable students to learn skills required in standard industry design practice.

If there are exceptional circumstances, an exemption may be approved and may involve submitting/discussing your work as it stands. Exemptions must be requested as an extension with a note specifying exemption via my.UQ.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

100% Late Penalty after 1 hour grace period. The one-hour grace period is recorded from the time the submission is due. 

Consistent with industry practice where late submission of documentation etc is not accepted, the stated late penalty applies.

This has been approved by the Associate Dean (Academic)

Design Computing Project (Team)

• Identity Verified
• Team or group-based
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written

Category

Computer Code, Creative Production/ Exhibition, Essay/ Critique, Practical/ Demonstration, Presentation, Product/ Design, Project, Reflection

Weight

5

Due date

Proposal - Presentation in studio class 26/08/2025 8:00 am

Proposal - slides, including response to feedback due to Blackboard 29/08/2025 5:00 pm

Work-in-Progress - Demonstration in studio class 23/09/2025 8:00 am

Work-in-Progress - Response to feedback & plan for completion document, including link to work-in-progress due to Blackboard. 26/09/2025 5:00 pm

Final Tradeshow - Demonstration of project in studio class 21/10/2025 8:00 am

Final Tradeshow - Project Debrief Report, including link to prototype due to Blackboard. 31/10/2025 5:00 pm

Presentations for milestones 1 & 2 take place during the timetabled studio session, with documentation due at the end of the week.

Tradeshow takes place during the timetabled studio session in week 12, with final documentation submission at the end of Week 13.

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07

Task description

Submission guidelines

Project documents will be submitted via Blackboard. Presentations and demonstrations will take place during the scheduled studio session.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Extensions for groupwork are typically not available as this impacts on all members of the team.

However, if a group encounters extraordinary difficulties in meeting a deadline, they should contact the Course Coordinator in advance of the due date.

Groups will be asked to meet with the Course Coordinator, and be prepared to present their work, as it stands.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Project documents: 100% Late Penalty after 1 hour grace period. The one-hour grace period is recorded from the time the submission is due. 

Oral Team Presentation: 100% Late Penalty. No grace period.

Consistent with industry practice around late submission of documentation and around presentations to clients/industry partners, the 100% late penalty applies.

This has been approved by the Associate Dean (Academic)

Portfolio (Individual)

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia

Category

Presentation, Portfolio

Weight

3

Due date

10/11/2025 1:00 pm

Final deadline for updates to the Portfolio is 1:00pm Monday Exam Week 1

See Portfolio Presentation & Interview item for information on when the critique sessions will occur.

Other conditions

Student specific, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Online submission via OneNote Class Notebook via the Portfolio section accessible through Microsoft Teams or directly in OneNote.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Students who have approved extensions for the portfolio must contact the course coordinator immediately, as the Portfolio Presentation & Interview that forms the secure part of this assessment will need to be rescheduled accordingly.

Failure to attend the portfolio presentation & interview, even with an approved extension will result in a failing grade for the portfolio.

Late submission

A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.

Portfolio Presentation & Interview (Individual)

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Oral

Category

Presentation, Reflection

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

10/11/2025 -

Portfolio Presentation & Interview sessions will take place Monday to Wednesday in Exam Week 1. Sign-up for sessions will be available from Week 12 to assist student planning around exams. Students will need to produce valid UQ identification before commencing their presentation.

Other conditions

Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L04, L05, L07

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Students who have approved extensions for the portfolio must inform the course coordinator immediately, as the Portfolio Presentation & Interview will need to be rescheduled accordingly.

Failure to attend the portfolio presentation & interview, even with an approved extension will result in a failing grade for the portfolio.

Students who have submitted their portfolio and are unable to attend their scheduled presentation/interview due to significant extenuating circumstances will have one opportunity to reschedule - pending course coordinator approval. Please contact the course coordinator as soon it becomes clear you will not be able to attend.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Consistent with industry practice around presentations to clients/industry partners, no late submissions will be accepted and a 100% late penalty applies.

This has been approved by the Associate Dean (Academic)

Students who have submitted their portfolio and are unable to attend their scheduled presentation/interview due to significant extenuating circumstances will have one opportunity to reschedule - pending course coordinator approval. Please contact the course coordinator as soon it becomes clear you will not be able to attend.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Hurdles in this course

Students must gain at least a Pass for both the Portfolio AND Portfolio Presentation & Interview to pass the Portfolio assessment. If students do not pass the interview, the grade for the Portfolio assessment item will be capped at a Fail (2) regardless of the grade given for the Portfolio.

Students must gain an overall passing grade for the individual assessment items (Studio Design Journal + Portfolio) to pass the course. Failure to achieve an overall passing grade for the individual assessment will result in an overall fail for the course with the grade capped at 3.

Students must gain a passing grade for the individual Studio Design Journal in order to receive a higher than passing grade for the course. Failure to achieve a passing grade for the Journal will result in the overall grade for the course being capped at 4.

Identity verified assessment

Studio teaching staff actively monitor individual participation throughout the semester and are aware of the degree to which students are contributing to the team projects. To pass this course, students must achieve a passing grade overall for the individual assessment items. One purpose of the individual assessment items is to provide evidence of individual contributions to team outcomes - students who are unable to demonstrate their contribution to the team outputs risk failing the course with an overall grade capped at 3 by not meeting this requirement. Regular updates to the Studio Design Journal are required to support evidence that students are reporting on their own work. Any student who does not update their Studio Design Journal with an appropriate frequency will be asked to provide evidence of the work that they have been doing in a face-to-face session with a member of the teaching team. Failure to do so will be considered a failure of the individual Studio Design Journal assessment with the outcome as above.

Team-based Assessment

All team members are required to provide meaningful contributions to the central concept being developed, and equally all team members need to contribute across the communication components of the assessment (for example documentation, reports, presentations etc). Where it is evident that a team member has contributed ONLY to the communication components and has had little to no meaningful input into the project concept & its development, the course coordinator reserves the right to adjust individual grades accordingly. In such circumstances, it is also likely that these team members will not have any appropriate work to report on in their Portfolio and will therefore be at high risk of failing the course overall.

For team-based assessment items, teams are expected to deveop effective conflict resolution strategies at the outset of the project to enable them to deal with situations where the workload is not shared equitably (the information about Maintaining your Team in UQ Working in Teams: A Practical Guide may be useful in planning this). Studio teaching staff are available to assist with conflict resolution if necessary. Team performance reviews will be conducted during the team project to enable individuals to comment on team progress and morale. The purpose of the team performance review is to appraise the individual contributions to the team, team effectiveness and attitudes - both for indications of conflict and to recognise high-performing teams. The results of these will, along with teaching staff observations, be used to support teams through conflict resolution. Ultimately the course coordinator reserves the right to vary group marks for each group member in the event of varied contributions to the team effort. 

Qualitative Grading:

Grades for assessment during the semester will identify your work as being of a particular standard from the following list:

• No assessable work received (X) - applies to late or non-submission of assessment items.
• Low Fail (1) - absence of evidence of achievement of assessment outcomes.
• Fail (2) - minimal evidence of achievement of assessment outcomes.
• Marginal Fail (3) - demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of assessment outcomes.
• Pass (4) - demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of assessment outcomes.
• Credit (5) - demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of assessment outcomes.
• Distinction (6) - demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of assessment learning outcomes.
• High Distinction (7) - demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of assessment learning outcomes.

Within each grade category, there may be a further qualifier of + or - to indicate that the work is respectively at the upper or lower bounds of the category. These grades map directly to the standard UQ Grade descriptors (see Part H in the Assessment Procedure linked above). It is recommended that you read the descriptors and example criteria that are associated with each of the UQ grade standards.

Note, that percentages or numerical marks are not required in grading assessment or for calculating grade cut-offs. Percentage cut-offs are primarily employed in courses that utilise quantitative (numerical based) methods for marking. Qualitative grading, such as used here, uses a standards-based approach to grading. It is important to pay attention the wording used in the grade descriptors.

Calculation of Final Grade:

The final grade for the course will be initially constructed from the individual grades according to assessment weightings; and calculated as a weighted average of your assessment grades, using the same formula as used for calculating your GPA. In this case, U equals the weighting for that particular assessment item, and G equal to the grade for the assessment item. In this course, the graded assessment items are Studio Design Journal, Design Computing Project and Portfolio.

Example 1:

The overall team design project grade is either the average across two formative plus final summative grade, or equal to the final summative grade, whichever is higher. This example illustrates an instance where the Team Design Project final grade is determined by the grade given for Final Tradeshow as it is the higher.

If a student receives the following grades:

• Studio Design Journal - Weighting x 1 - Pass (4)
• Design Computing Project - Weighting x 3
• Milestone 1: Proposal - Fail (2)
• Milestone 2: Work-in-progress Demonstration - Pass (4)
• Final Tradeshow - Distinction (6)
• Average across milestones - Pass (4)
• Final Team Project - Distinction (6)
• Portfolio - Weighting x 1 - Credit (5)

Your final grade will be calculated as:

• (4*2)+(6*3)+(5*1) / (1+3+1)
• 31/5 = 6.2 = Distinction (6)
• Course Hurdle: Individual component = (4*1)+(5*1)/1+1 = 9/2 = 4.5 = Pass (4)
• Final Grade = Distinction (6)

Example 2 -

The overall team design project grade is either the average across two formative plus final summative grade, or equal to the final summative grade, whichever is higher. This example illustrates an instance where the Team Design Project final grade is determined by the average of the grades given for 3 milestones as it is the higher. It also illustrates the final grade being capped at 3 due to a student failing the individual pass hurdle.

If a student receives the following grades:

• Studio Design Journal - Weighting x 1 - Pass (4)
• Design Computing Project - Weighting x 3
• Milestone 1: Proposal - Distinction (6)
• Milestone 2: Work-in-progress Demonstration - Credit (5)
• Final Tradeshow - Pass (4)
• Average across milestones - Credit (5)
• Final Team Project - Credit (5)
• Portfolio - Weighting x 1 - Fail (3)

Your final grade will be calculated as:

• (4*2)+(5*3)+(3*1) / (1+3+1)
• 26/5 = 5.2 = Credit (5)
• Course Hurdle: Individual component = (4*1)+(3*1)/1+1 = 7/2 = 3.5 = Fail (3)
• Final Grade = Fail (3)

This calculation provides the starting point for your final grade, which is then reviewed & moderated based on overall performance across the course; and pass conditions applied. The course coordinator reserves the right to moderate grades.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.

Supplementary assessment is not available for the team-based or continuously assessed parts of the course which require progressive updates throughout the semester. Supplementary assessment is only available for the individual Portfolio assessment item (approved by EAIT Associate Dean-Academic).

Additional assessment information

Having Troubles?

If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material, you should seek help and speak to the course teaching staff. If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help; for example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things). Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the School of EECS Director of Teaching and Learning.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Additional learning resources information

Course Notices

Notices regarding the course will be posted on Blackboard and also distributed in the General channel on MS Teams. You are expected to read these notices regularly (at least once a week and more often near deadlines for deliverables).

Course Resources

The course resources are available through the course website on Blackboard . The course website contains important information and links to other sites related to the course. You must be enrolled in the course to access some parts of the web site.

Course Communications

Microsoft Teams will be used for course communication in studio sessions and for internal team collaboration. This can be used via the web interface, but students are encouraged to download the relevant native application for a better experience.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Students are expected to participate fully in all scheduled sessions for the course. All activities for the course are in-person and on-campus.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• EECS School Guidelines for Students