Design Seminar

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Generate and evaluate designs through iterative cycles of making, testing, and revising, rather than converging on a single solution.

• Move fluidly between hand and digital methods, treating digital modeling, scanning, and fabrication tools as an extension of designing and making rather than a separate or later stage process.

• Select and justify materials and construction methodologies based on their physical behavior, verified through prototypes, models, and full or partial-scale mockups.

• Operate a combination of fabrication and digital tools (3D modeling, parametric and/or node-based software, CNC milling, laser cutting, 3D printing, or scanning) at a level appropriate to advanced studio work.

• Document and communicate an iterative design process clearly, including failed or abandoned directions, as part of the final body of work.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Process + Participation	10%
Rhino Exercises + Certification	30%
Project 1: Hello World	20%
Project 2: Independent Final Project	30%
Final Documentation	10%

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
100-93%	A
92.9-90%	A-
89.9-87%	B+
86.9-84%	B
83.9-80%	B-
79.9-77%	C+
76.9-74%	C
73.9-70%	C-
69.9-67%	D+
66.9-64%	D
63.9-60%	D-
59.9-0%	F

Attendance/Participation:

Students are expected to maintain daily attendance as outlined in department policies:

‘Most courses in the Department of Interior Architecture are not based on a textbook but rely on information and techniques taught in class and classroom interaction with faculty and peers. Because semesters are only 15-16 weeks long, each absence constitutes missing a significant part of the class experience. Additionally, students are expected to recognize the importance of professional behavior and to show respect for faculty and their fellow students by arriving on time to class each week.

Therefore, the following absence policies are in place: Each student has two “free” absences to use for any purpose. Each additional absence will drop a student’s grade one increment for the semester (e.g., from a B- to a C+). Four total absences (excused or unexcused) will automatically lead to a failing grade.

Tardiness: if you arrive within 15 minutes of the start of class, you are considered tardy. Three instances of tardiness constitute one absence. If you are late by more than 15 minutes, you are considered absent, but you're still welcome to be part of class.

Any regular medical appointments (check-ups, dental, eye doctor, etc.) should be scheduled to not conflict with class time and will not count as an excused absence. Students who have extenuating circumstances (family tragedy, serious continuing illness) should work with OARs to receive accommodations for extended absences.’

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

• A dedicated Course Notebook/Sketchbook for notetaking, idea generation and sketching.

• Required Programs: the following software is available to Interior Architecture students within designated department computer labs; however, you will need to access software outside of class time.

  • Rhino 3d

  • Chaos Enscape

  • Adobe Creative Suite

Links to required digital readings and educational licensing for these programs will also be available on the corresponding Canvas page. Students may need to apply for personal licensing to use these programs outside of designated computer labs.