Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit investigates the rapidly changing conceptions of “Matter” or material innovation in design, through digital fabrication and 1:1 prototyping. Within this context, students will engage and apply new digital or robotic fabrication methods and technologies, prototyping methods, and experimental material development, culminating in 1:1 prototypes or assemblages exhibiting bespoke properties. Students will research the relation between material properties and specific prototyping methods (CNC, 3D printing, robotic fabrication, etc.) and apply this research towards ‘learning by making' to design, develop and prototype functional or “responsive” material assemblies. Project development and outcomes will explore and apply contemporary topics relating to material craft, digital fabrication, and emerging technologies such as robotic fabrication and smart and responsive materials.
The overall academic objective of the unit is to develop a critical rethinking of “Material,” towards a new approach to design and making, combining both analog and digital craft. Material innovation and prototyping topics and projects provide a critical and practical foundation for students to engage twenty-first century design practices, whereby the designer is involved in the development of new tools, processes, materials and prototypes.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 option in the Architecture A major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate an awareness of current material innovation in design practice
; (2) synthesise research findings to design and produce full scale functional prototypes and responsive material systems
; (3) demonstrate an advanced level of understanding of the iterative process of drawing and making
; and (4) develop critical and practical skills to interrogate and advance the making of physical prototypes.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) report; (2) prototype; and (3) final assembly. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Santiago Perez
- Unit rules
- Incompatibility
- ARCT3040 Advanced Design Thinking
Approved quota: 25—first come, first serve basis - Incidental fees
- Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available "
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s): (1) Materials + Hardware required for project development and prototyping (estimated cost - $100-$350). (estimated cost - $250). - Contact hours
- Up to 3 hours per week.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.