DESIGN 200 is a core second-year paper within the BDes programme that builds on the fundamental design processes, tools and research methods introduced in DESIGN 100, DESIGN 101 and the design electives. DESIGN 200 is required for all Design Programme and Design Conjoint students.
DESIGN 200 is an intermediary course that progresses from 'self', broadening this lens to understanding 'community'. It applies physical and digital techniques to identify opportunities for impact. This course is a stepping stone towards advanced-level papers where students can more confidently self-direct their projects in individual and team contexts, equipped with physical, digital and strategic skills.
In this course, students will develop confidence in interpreting design briefs and translating them into resolved prototypes. Through a structured exploration of design organisation, iterative prototyping, and user testing, students will learn to navigate the full design development cycle. The processes and methodologies introduced here will form a critical foundation for their 300-level coursework and future professional practice.
1. Design methods and strategies: The semester will begin with an introduction to various design strategies, vocabulary and terminology, design implementation and use contexts.
2. Prototyping technologies (digital): Students will experiment and familiarise themselves with digital prototyping tools and technologies.
3. Design brief: Students will learn to formulate a design proposal that identifies relevant technologies, processes and metrics for success.
4. Prototyping and testing: Students will take an iterative design approach to test rapidly and validate various design options in relation to self-derived criteria.
5. Design proposal: Operating in teams, students will ideate, prototype, document and pitch a design solution that is grounded in a real-world scenario.