Course Title: Flexible modelling for Design and Prototyping

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Flexible modelling for Design and Prototyping

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
INTE2107	City Campus	Postgraduate	315H Architecture & Design	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012
INTE2107	City Campus	Postgraduate	320H Architecture & Urban Design	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2017
INTE2107	City Campus	Postgraduate	370H Design	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2018, Sem 2 2018, Sem 1 2019, Sem 1 2020, Sem 2 2021, Sem 1 2022, Sem 2 2022, Sem 1 2023, Sem 2 2023, Sem 1 2024
INTE2108	City Campus	Undergraduate	315H Architecture & Design	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012
INTE2108	City Campus	Undergraduate	320H Architecture & Urban Design	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2014, Sem 1 2015, Sem 1 2016, Sem 2 2017
INTE2108	City Campus	Undergraduate	370H Design	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2018
INTE2389	City Campus	Research	315H Architecture & Design	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009

Course Coordinator: Scott Mayson

Course Coordinator Phone: Please email

Course Coordinator Email: scott.mayson@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Please email

Course Coordinator Availability: Please email

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

Flexible Modelling for Design and Prototyping is a stand-alone elective offered as part of the MDIT program and is also offered as a multi-disciplinary elective university wide. The Flexible Modelling course provides students the experience and expertise to create flexible computational models for design and prototyping. Students receive skills-based instruction through dedicated three-hour workshops (delivered both in person and online) where they will learn the techniques to create complex three-dimensional forms in Rhinoceros3D software. Students are then introduced to the concept of parametric modelling and learn the basics of visual programming in Grasshopper allowing them to embed intelligence and unprecedented flexibility into their design responses. The course is structured to ensure students are developing their design skills alongside learning more pragmatic software techniques. Throughout the semester students will be undertaking weekly exercises in which they must develop a series of design esquisses using flexible modelling and parametric design principles. Each exercise focuses on a new concept, technique, or geometry type giving student a holistic overview of the capabilities of the tools and how to best apply it to the design process. The culmination of these deliverables is a final design project where students apply the technical learning outcomes they learn week to week on their very own parametric model. This course will serve you in areas of study including but not exclusive to architecture, landscape architecture, industrial design, textiles, jewellery design, automotive design, fashion, new media, public art, design innovation, information technology and much more. It is also the ideal subject for any design practitioner seeking to learn Rhinoceros 3D & grasshopper which are globally recognised as some of the best modelling tools available and used by design professionals worldwide. 

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

  

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to:

1. Synthesise design issues, information, programmatic and technical requirements in flexible design models using Rhinoceros3D 
2. Learn the basics of visual programming in Grasshopper and be able to confidently create computational design scripts to enable parametric models. 
3. Present, argue and critique individual and collaborative design modelling proposals haptically, visually and verbally to multidisciplinary peers and academics. 
4. Work collaboratively and across disciplines to produce applicable flexible design models and model paradigms for innovation in future design practice 
5. Use appropriate research methods to design and execute project design modelling and prototyping, evaluate the outcome. 

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities including:

• Studying, applying and combining different flexible modelling techniques 
• Independent and collaborative design modelling and prototyping 
• Producing visual and verbal presentations of design work 
• Fabrication of physical, digital and combined models or other representative materials 
• Attendance at presentations and public events as related to the project 

Delivery may be face-to-face, online or a mix of both.  

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. 

• To effectively participate in coursework it is advisable that you have an appropriate personal computer or laptop computer capable of running such educational modelling software as Rhino 3D, Digital Project, etc. this will include running Bootcamp on an Apple MacBook. 
• You are also recommended to have drawing supplies and basic prototyping equipment such as protective eye-ware, ear plugs, dust jacket, closed toe or safety shoes, steel ruler, craft knife etc. 
• You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. 
• You will have access to and will use the School of Architecture and Design Workshop facilities and access to computer labs with specialist software and printing facilities. 

RMIT Swanston Library has extensive resources for Design Students. 

There are services and resources available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT student website.

Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks

Assignment 1: Rhinoceros 3D Weighting: 30% CLO 1 

Assignment 2: Grasshopper Weighting: 40% CLO 2 

Assignment 3: Journal / Folio Weighting: 30% CLO 1 To 5

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.