The Year 11 ATAR Design course has a central focus in the opportunities to improve and transform the world in which we live. Good design should aim to foster and promote innovation and creativity, which delivering sustainable solutions for specific purposes and audiences. The study of Design empowers students to identify, understand, interpret, create and communicate through visual and tactile means; to influence everyday life for individuals, societies and the natural world.

Students are introduced to design theory, design history and design practice through the experience of applying a design process. The design process involves identification of a perceived need, problem or opportunity that is then articulated in a design brief. Concepts and ideas are developed through the application of Design Thinking, incorporating a variety of tools, methods and strategies that are shaped by considerations of aesthetics and functionality, as well as social, cultural, historical, environmental and economic factors.

The Design ATAR course enables students to:

Develop knowledge and understanding of design language, terminology and frameworks
Understand and apply linear and iterative design processes
Develop ability to use design inquiry methods creatively and critically, and make and justify discerning design choices
Develop ability to identify and explore open-ended design challenges, and to propose a variety of potential outcomes, taking into account social, cultural, historical, environmental and economic factors
Develop ability to manipulate and organise design elements, design principles and selected media and materials to communicate ideas for specific audiences.

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.

Note: Students may choose only one Design course, either the Photography, Graphic or Dimensional context.

Year 11 ATAR Course

Unit 1 - Representational Design

In this unit, students begin to experiment with various techniques for representation, such as sketching, drawing, photographing and prototyping, to communicate design ideas and Design Thinking. They are introduced to an iterative design process to create possible design outcomes.

Unit 2 - User-centred Design

In this unit, students increase their understanding of design methodologies through the introduction to an iterative design process. They prototype and modify designs to test the impact on audiences and address practical outcomes for users.

Assessments

Response
30%
Production
50%
Examination
20%

Year 12 ATAR Course

Unit 3 - Responsible Design

This unit focuses on the development of designs for a worthwhile purpose, or that will benefit society. Students experiment with the Double Diamond design process to create useful, sustainable and/or ethical design forms. They understand the various ways in which designers are responsible for ensuring the safety and suitability of their design decisions as they respond to environmental, social and cultural needs, towards the refinement of an appropriate design outcome.

Students will write their own client-based design brief that will broadly cover both units across the year. Contexts of projects will have specific industry links and may include commercial, domestic or industrial avenues. Design fields may include but are not limited to Business Advertising and Marketing, Fashion Design, Architectural Design, Product design and Web or screen-based design. Students will build a portfolio of exploratory work presenting a range of skills including Freehand Drawing, Vector Based Graphics, Photographic studies, technical drawings and mixed media studies

Unit 4 - Influential Design

This unit focuses on the communication of ideals, messages, information and values, to influence opinion and attitudes. Students design products and visual layouts to encourage a change in thinking or actions. They analyse the audience through demographic characteristics and psychographic segmentation to develop persuasive designs in response to real world problems. Students synthesise their understanding of design knowledge through the application of Design Thinking strategies as part of an iterative design process.

Assessments

Response
30%
Production
50%
Examination
20%
All students enrolled in the Design ATAR Year 12 course are required to sit the WACE examination. The Design WACE examination includes a practical (portfolio) submission which should demonstrate a comprehensive design process, and a written examination of 2.5 hours.

Courses