In the Design General course students develop skills and processes for current and future industry and employment markets. Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand design principles and processes, analyse problems and devise innovative strategies through projects. Students will use CAD software to create designed solutions and produce projects using 3D printing and laser cutting machines. The Design General course also emphasises the scope of design in trade based industries and engineering vocational pathways.
‘Design is the human power to conceive, plan, and realise products that serve human beings in the accomplishment of any individual or collective purpose.’ (Richard Buchanan, Carnegie Mellon University)
Design involves the strategic development, planning and production of visual and tactile communication. It deals with the effective and efficient communication of ideas, values, beliefs, attitudes, messages and information to specific audiences for specific purposes and with specific intentions.
Design has its own set of theories and practices and incorporates a wide range of principles, methods and techniques drawn from a variety of different disciplines such as psychology, communication studies, digital design, technical graphics, art, engineering, architecture, sociology, cultural studies, marketing and economics. The disciplined application of these elements forms a design process that guides the development of creative and functionally effective solutions to identified possibilities or problems.
We live in a diverse and constantly changing information-rich society and culture, constantly immersed in design communication. Sometimes the intention of design is to inform, express, educate or entertain. Often the intention is also to influence or persuade. An understanding of design and how it works can enhance an individual’s ability to interact with their environment, to learn from it and to grow within it. It also empowers the individual by making them more discerning of, and therefore less susceptible to, manipulation and influence via design.
The goals of the Design General course are to facilitate a deeper understanding of how design works; and how ideas, beliefs, values, attitudes, messages and information are effectively communicated to specific audiences with specific intentions or purposes via visual media forms. This course aims to achieve these goals by exposing students to a variety of communication forms and a thorough exploration of design.
Design projects allow students to demonstrate their skills, techniques and application of design principles and processes; to analyse problems and possibilities; and to devise innovative strategies within design contexts. There is potential for students to develop transferable skills and vocational competencies while devising innovative designs.
In this course, students develop a competitive edge for current and future industry and employment markets. This course also emphasises the scope of design in professional and trade based industries allowing students to maximise vocational and/or university pathways.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course. It is beneficial however if students have had success in previous CAD Technology courses.
Syllabus:
The Year 11 syllabus is divided into two units, each of one semester duration, which are typically delivered as a pair. The notional time for each unit is 55 class contact hours.
Unit 1 – Design fundamentals
The focus of this unit is to introduce design process and practice. Students learn that design can be used to provide solutions to design problems and communication needs. They are introduced to basic design skills and a range of techniques within a defined context to demonstrate control over the elements and principles of design.
Unit 2 – Personal design
The focus of this unit is personal design. Students learn that they visually communicate aspects of their personality, values and beliefs through their affiliations and their manipulation of personal surroundings and environments. Students explore design elements and principles and the design process in a project communicating something of themselves. Students increase familiarity with basic production skills and processes, materials and technologies.
Assessment:
Production: 70%
Response: 30%
Pathways:
The Design (CAD) General course progresses to the Year 12 course by the same name and aims to prepare all students for a future in a technological and material world by providing the foundation for lifelong learning about how products are designed and how materials are developed and used. This course focuses on those areas of the technological world that utilise CAD and modern manufacturing processes.
More Information:
For further information regarding this course click here.