ACG708 - Design Strategies
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Alan Young |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ADD101 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit will investigate strategic methodologies and problem solving processes which incorporate key elements from design thinking models. Taking a multidiscipline/interdisciplinary approach, Design Strategies will require students to adopt a human-centred approach to innovation which foregrounds design as an agent of positive change in a rapidly evolving and sometimes problematic world. This approach allows people who are not trained as designers to use creative tools to address a vast range of challenges. In teams, students will use a range of design strategies in an attempt to research, define, and solve a complex problem.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Research, plan and produce solutions by employing 'design thinking' processes | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Transmit ideas, analysis, findings and strategies through advanced written and oral presentation. Report on findings, which include recommendations to advance the process | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO3 | Employ a range of specialist skills using ‘design thinking’ processes to source, analyse, generate and disseminate ideas to an advanced level. Develop a method to involve the public in the process (web site, public meeting, survey, prototype testing) | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO4 | Acquire advanced skills in the critical evaluation of contemporary practices and judgement of the role disciplines can play in ‘design thinking’ strategy. Apply participatory methods (workshop) to establish a brief and to explore potential solutions to identified problems | GLO4: Critical thinking |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Research exercise | 1500 words or equivalent | 30% | Week 4 |
| Assessment 2: Strategic Proposal (Group of 4-5 students) | 1500 words or equivalent | 30% | Week 9 |
| Assessment 3: Final report | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Week 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ACG708 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.