Skip to Content

Foresight and Design

Unit code: HBF634

Credit points12.5 Credit Points
Duration
One teaching period
Contact hours36 hours
CampusHawthorn
Prerequisites
Nil
Corequisites
Nil

Related course(s)

Aims and objectives

This unit focusses students on developing a foresight approach to communications and service design, adding a range of foresight tools and methodologies to existing design processes. The unit therefore aims to extend the students thinking in terms of creating solutions to communication and/or service design briefs that go beyond the traditional boundaries considered within design spheres.

This is the only group assessment currently proposed in the programme and has been developed from ideas from the Design Factory in Aalto University in conjunction with the Faculty of Design. In this subject the students are presented with a ‘live’ design brief from an organisation. They will work in groups to develop a series of experiential scenarios which they will run for each other and feedback on. They will then draw on the scenario experiences to both redefine the design brief and generate possible solutions. Each group will present to the company their redefinition of the brief and their range of possible solutions as the summative assessment. Tutors will also be present in the assessment process but will include the organisation’s feedback in their consideration of allocating marks.
 
 
 
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: 
  • Research and challenge the assumptions underpinning a communications and/or service design brief to recreate the brief in a frame that is better informed for future challenges;
  • Construct and present a response to a design brief that both meets the objectives of the brief and takes into account
    broader foresight issues;
  • Reflect on how their own ethics and values shape what they are aware of and how they approach design challenges.
     
 
 

Teaching methods

The unit is taught as 2 x 3 day blocks with the students working in groups for a total workload of 125 hours each.

Assessment

Presentation of a design brief and the assumptions underpinning it (Group) Formative.
Development of a design solution according to a selected model (Group) Formative.
Development and presentation of a design solution to a 'live' design brief proposed
by industry (Group) 100%

Generic skills outcomes

This unit particularly demonstrates students entrepreneurship and their ability to adapt to and manage change, while also allowing them to demonstrate awareness of their environment, and the capability in a chose areas. Students may also demonstrate their ability to operate effectively and ethically in work, private and community arenas.

Content

  • The design process.
  • Models and theories of design.
  • Foresight applications in design.
  • Group working, networking and creating sparks.

Reading materials

Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.