Course coordinator
Dr Mehrnoosh Mirzaei
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Architecture, Design and Planning School
DSGN1100 introduces foundational visual communication within the design process. Students learn a variety of design techniques, from sketching methods to analogue visualisation, to effectively convey design concepts. The course explores essential design principles and processes, enabling students to craft effective communication for the design solutions.
DSGN1100 is a foundational visual communication course offered in the Bachelor of Design Program. Students develop knowledge and skills in analogue visualisation techniques and methods, ranging from drawing conventions to the fundamentals of analogue rendering. The course aims are to equip students with the skills and techniques to communicate and present design ideas effectively. These design methods are essential for cultivating a deep understanding of how to communicate different design ideas. Students will engage in analogue sketching, fostering their ability to represent design ideas and articulate their concepts through drawing and visual principles. Knowledge is delivered through lectures and applied in hands-on activities within a collaborative studio environment. Studios are supported by self-directed online video content and resources. Due to the practical, hands-on learning nature of the course, weekly participation in class exercises is expected for effective skill development. Additional work outside studio time will also be required to develop skills and complete assessment tasks, following UQ guidelines.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are assumed to have Year 12 English. ﾠVisual communication skills gained from the study of art, graphics or other design-based subjects may be of benefit but are not assumed knowledge.
Restrictions
BArchDes students are not permitted to enrol and gain credit for DSGN1100.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Mehrnoosh Mirzaei
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to introduce students to visualisation communication techniques, conventions and fundamental design principles to effectively covey and present design concepts.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Record and develop visual communication techniques.
LO2.
Create sketches and images using a range of media while adhering to design and drawing conventions
LO3.
Explore and apply fundamental design principles to create concepts that convey context and design information.
LO4.
Recognise and select appropriate visualisation techniques for effective communication of the design process.
LO5.
Engage in collaborative studio activities to apply learned skills in design tasks and projects.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio |
Assessment 1
|
40% |
2/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation, Portfolio |
Assessment 2
|
60% |
Portfolio submission 28/05/2025 4:00 pm Portfolio Presentation and Sketchbook submission in class 29/05/2025 |
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
Assessment 1
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Online
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Portfolio
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
2/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
The Visual Work in Progress Portfolio is a series of weekly in-studio and homework activities. The portfolio is an A3 Landscape booklet that includes all weekly activities in a single PDF document. Each page should include the name of the activity, the activity number, and your name. All drawings and text should be completed by hand and must include your name and last name. Check task instructions on the course website for more information.
Visual Work in Progress Portfolio will be assessed via:
· Drawing Techniques
· Communication
For more information, check the Assessment 1 Rubric on Blackboard.
Assessment tasks prohibiting use of AI or MT: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied to receive a specific grade in the course. This assessment item is designated as a Hurdle in this course. This means a minimum achievement of 50% (a grade of 4) is required for this assessment item in order to pass the course. Meeting the hurdle requirement for a course does not guarantee a passing grade for the course and in order to pass this course, students also need to achieve a minimum grade of 4 overall.Submission guidelines
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning uses Blackboard and Turnitin for assessment submission. Turnitin is accessed through the course Blackboard site. Turnitin also checks for plagiarism or instances where the original work of others is not appropriately acknowledged. Uploaded files must contain readable text and not be rasterised. Students are advised to commence assignment uploads with sufficient amount of time (consider possible technical problems with computers, internet speed, etc). After successfully submitting an assignment through Turnitin, a ‘Submission Complete!’ screen will be displayed. It is the student’s responsibility to check assignment preview and confirm successful submission. If the ‘Submission Complete!’ screen isn’t displayed, the student should regard the submission as unsuccessful. Students should download a copy of the digital receipt as proof they have submitted the assignment. Students who are experiencing upload issues must advise the Course Coordinator immediately by email and should include screenshots and a copy of the assessment for submission. To meet professional accreditation, public engagement and quality assurance obligations, digital copies of all course assessment items must be submitted in addition to any hard copy submission requirements specified in individual Course / Studio Outlines. Any physical models should be photographed and a minimum of two photographs describing the complete and full model must be included in the digital submission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, they must apply online on or before the assignment due date. When possible, it is suggested that requests are submitted 2 business days prior to the submission due date for the assignment to allow processing time. Students with outstanding applications for extensions are advised to submit their assessment by the original due date, irrespective of whether the work is complete so that what has been done can be graded.
Late submission
The late penalty for this assessment item will be calculated as follows:
First 1-hour block - initial 1 hour grace period no penalty.
Second 1-hour block - A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted
Third 1-hour block - An additional penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted. (adding up to a total penalty of 20% of the maximum possible mark)
Any submissions received after three hours will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each one-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Assessment 2
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation, Portfolio
- Weight
- 60%
- Due date
Portfolio submission 28/05/2025 4:00 pm
Portfolio Presentation and Sketchbook submission in class 29/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Assessment Rationale:
For assessment 2, you will work on a design project and apply the skills learnt in the first part of the course. A course portfolio is a series of weekly activities related to the design project that you will be asked to complete in the studio from weeks 6 to 12. The portfolio should encompass all materials in detail. You explore different ideas and try different techniques to communicate your design concepts. You will finally present your final design portfolio to your tutors and peers on (Week 13).
There are three components for Assessment 2:
1. The Course Work Portfolio: Digital (PDF) submission-Individual (40%)
The Course Work portfolio should be A3 size and oriented in landscape format, with your name and ID included. It must be compiled digitally in PDF format. Each page of the portfolio should clearly state the name of the section. All drawings, text, and sketches must be legible and effectively convey the key works and drawings. The portfolio should be compiled digitally into a single PDF for final submission in Week 13.
Note for the portfolio: In Week 12, students will collaboratively assess their peer's concept and provide feedback using the Feedback Form. The completed Feedback Form should be included in the portfolio submission. Please refer to the Blackboard for the portfolio requirements.
2) Portfolio Presentation: Presentation-Individual (10%)
Students will deliver an oral summary of your project to your tutor and peers during the studio in Week 13, Thursday, 29/05/2025. Maximum of 5 minutes for presentation, plus 5 minutes for questions/discussion. You will present your portfolio and your final concept and highlight the design values to your peers and tutor.
3) A3 Sketchbook-Individual (10%)
You should hand in your A3 sketchbook to your tutor on the presentation day of Week 13.
For more information, check the Assessment 2 Rubric on Blackboard.
Assessment tasks prohibiting use of AI or MT: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The School of Architecture, Design and Planning uses Blackboard and Turnitin for assessment submission. Turnitin is accessed through the course Blackboard site. Turnitin also checks for plagiarism or instances where the original work of others is not appropriately acknowledged. Uploaded files must contain readable text and not be rasterised. Students are advised to commence assignment uploads with sufficient amount of time (consider possible technical problems with computers, internet speed, etc). After successfully submitting an assignment through Turnitin, a ‘Submission Complete!’ screen will be displayed. It is the student’s responsibility to check assignment preview and confirm successful submission. If the ‘Submission Complete!’ screen isn’t displayed, the student should regard the submission as unsuccessful. Students should download a copy of the digital receipt as proof they have submitted the assignment. Students who are experiencing upload issues must advise the Course Coordinator immediately by email and should include screenshots and a copy of the assessment for submission. To meet professional accreditation, public engagement and quality assurance obligations, digital copies of all course assessment items must be submitted in addition to any hard copy submission requirements specified in individual Course / Studio Outlines. Any physical models should be photographed and a minimum of two photographs describing the complete and full model must be included in the digital submission.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If a student wishes to apply for an extension, they must apply online on or before the assignment due date. When possible, it is suggested that requests are submitted 2 business days prior to the submission due date for the assignment to allow processing time. Students with outstanding applications for extensions are advised to submit their assessment by the original due date, irrespective of whether the work is complete, so that what has been done can be graded. Critique panels cannot be reconvened for the presentation component of an assessment when an extension has been approved. Students with granted extensions (or pending extension applications) are able to attend but are not permitted to participate in the design review.
Late submission
Submission - The late penalty for this assessment item will be calculated as follows:
First 1-hour block - initial 1 hour grace period no penalty
Second 1-hour block - An penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted
Third 1-hour block - An additional penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item will be deducted. (adding up to a total penalty of 20% of the maximum possible mark)
Any submissions received after three hours will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each one-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Presentation - 100% late penalty applied for presentation. No Extension permitted.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Identity verified assessment (IVA) - Design Courses
Design courses require the cumulative integration of critical reflection and feedback on original creative ideas in an iterative process of project work developed over time in the studio context. To meet assessment validity and integrity obligations in Design courses, students must regularly present and discuss their work with staff over the course of scheduled studio learning activities including lectures, structured studio activities, workshops, individual and group consultations, presentations and critiques. Students are expected to participate in at least 80% of scheduled studio activities in which the progress of their work is intended to be monitored and reviewed. If participation in such activities falls below 80% students may be requested to submit process work (such as drawings, models and design exegesis). If a student is not able to provide evidence of authorship to the satisfaction of the course coordinator, or if their participation falls below 50%, a maximum grade of 3 will be awarded.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
Supplementary assessment will not be offered in Architectural Design courses to any student with a failing grade of 3 or less. Due to the need for the cumulative integration of critical reflection and feedback on original creative ideas in an iterative process of project work development over time.
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
DRAWING EQUIPMENT
You are required to bring your drawing equipment to the studios from Week 1. You are encouraged to browse stationery stores such as Officeworks and test out the options available to find products you enjoy and prefer using.
The supplies for this course include the following:
- 1 x A3 Sketchpad – Unruled plain at least 100 Pages (with a cover and binding)
- 1 x A4 Sketchpad – Unruled plain
- Pen Fine Tip Rollerball, Biro or Felt Tip Gel (2 minimum: 0.4, 0.8 or 0.6mm) – Balck and Blue
- Graphite Pencils (2 minimum: HB, 2B)
- Polychromos Colour Pencils: White, Black and matching colours with your marker colours (at least two hues)
- 1 x Paint marker fine point – e.g. White Signo broad gel pen 1.00 or POSCA
- 1 x Steel ruler-300mm
- 1 x Eraser
Double-tipped brush Copic marker following colours:
- 1 x Copic Grey C3
- 1 x Copic Grey C5
- 1 x Copic Grey C7
- 1 x C100 Black
- 1 x Copic E35 Chamois
- Two tones of two different hues (e.g. 1 x Light and 1 x Dark Blue or 1 x Light and 1 x Dark Green, etc.)- Choose your favourite colour
LAPTOPS
It is highly recommended to make use of personal laptops. Students will be required to complete exercises and/or present their work in studio/tutorials/reviews using computers. The school recommends the use of laptop computers capable of software applications such as Adobe Creative Suite, Revit, ArchiCad, AutoCad, Rhino/Grasshopper, SketchUp or similar. Students must also consider backup storage solutions such as an external hard driveﾠor a cloudﾠservice.
SOFTWARE
Design students will use a wide range of software throughout their education and future careers. For this course, the School will provide educational licenses for Adobe Creative Cloud, which is available via the UQ Digital Workspace (UQDW).
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture Week 1 - What is Design Interaction? Understanding visualisation as a creative means to convey concepts and ideas in the design process. Week 2 - How to create accurate sketches I? Introduction to the perspective and its application in two-dimensional drawings. Week 3 - How to create accurate sketches II? Understanding isometric and orthographic views. Week 4 - How to elevate visual communication I? Exploring analogue rendering techniques for effective design communication. Week 5 - How to elevate visual communication II? Understand colour and why it's important to learn about its impact on the design process. Week 6 - How can details be communicated? Introduction to the design project. Week 7 - How can design value be defined? Recognising the importance of design value. Week 8 - What are good design principles? Following design principles in exploring new ideas. Mid-semester break Week 9 - How can design principles be applied? Following design principles in exploring new ideas. Week 10 - How can design be communicated? Communicate design ideas in its context. Week 11 - How can we present our design ideas and concepts? Presentation rehearsal. Week 12 - How can design concepts and visualisation be evaluated? Critique and evaluate design concepts. Week 13 - No lecture Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 12 |
Studio |
Studio Week 1 - Understanding & Practice: Techniques: Introduction to observational drawing and Geon approach. Week 2 - Understand & practice: Techniques: 1 and 2 points Perspective. Week 3 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Isometric and orthographic views. Week 4 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Introduction to analogue rendering and shadow. Week 5 - Understand & practice: Techniques: analogue rendering. Week 6 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Detail design sketching, Sketchnoting & framing design project. Week 7 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Ideation and rapid sketching Week 8 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Form development and iteration Mid-semester break Week 9 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Form and Function development Week 10 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Storyboarding and the final concept visualisation in the context. Week 11 - Understand & practice: Techniques: Detail design communication methods. Week 12 - Drop-in advice session Week 13 - Presentation (No Studio) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.