Design Ethnography | Units of study... | Swinburne University of Technology

Study at Swinburne > Courses > Find a course > Single unit search > Design Ethnography

DID10007 12.5 Credit Points Hawthorn

Duration

One Semester or equivalent

Contact hours

On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.

Prerequisites

Nil

Aims and objectives

In this unit, students explore the use of ethnographic and anthropological research methods integral to human-centred design. It introduces students to the skills, tools and literacies fundamental to design ethnography while focusing on how designers gather, analyse and apply their investigative findings towards the creation of solution concepts to a design problem.

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Examine the relationship between anthropology, ethnography, and design-led innovation.
2. Prepare ethnographic case studies based on relevant contextual investigative research methods, awareness of sustainability and ethical issues, and appropriate decision-making processes.
3. Report on design innovation projects showing evidence of relevant investigative research methods and decision-making processes
4. Identify design opportunities from ethnographic research

Courses with unit

This unit will be offered for the final time Semester 2, 2022

Unit information in detail

- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.

Teaching methods

This unit will involve up to 150 hours of work including:

Type (On-campus)	Hours per week	Number of Weeks	Total
Face to Face Contact Lecture Studio	1 2	12 12	12 24
Online Contact	N/A
Specified Learning Activities Discussion, readings, case studies	5	12	60
Unspecified Learning Activities Independent study, assignment preparation			54
TOTAL			150 hours/12.5cp

Assessment

Types	Individual or Group task	Weighting	Assesses attainment of these ULOs
Reflective Journal	Individual	40%	3
Applied Project	Group	30%	1, 2, 4
Research Project Presentation	Individual	30%	2, 3

*Pre-census assessment comprises the first reflective journal (Stage 1) with feedback in Week 4.

General skills outcomes

During this unit students will receive feedback on the following key generic skills:
• Teamwork Skills
• Analysis Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
• Ability to work independently

Content

• Ethnographic and anthropological methods for design research
• Digital and face-to-face research methods and tools
• Selection of investigative methods and interpretive frameworks
• Creative techniques for exploring and reporting on design problems
• Ethical Issues relating to research investigation and teamwork

Study resources

- References.

References

Bichard, J.-A., & Gheerawo, R. (2011). The ethnography in design. In Design Anthropology (pp. 45–55). Vienna: Springer Vienna.
Pink, S. (2014). Digital–visual–sensory design anthropology: Ethnography, imagination and intervention. Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, 13(4), 412–427. https://doi.org/10.1177/1474022214542353.
Salvador, T., Bell, G., & Anderson, K. (2010). Design Ethnography. Design Management Journal (Former Series), 10(4), 35–41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1948-7169.1999.tb00274.x
Wasson, C. (2000). Ethnography in the Field of Design. Human Organization, 59(4), 377–388.
De Leon, J. P., & Cohen, J. H. (2005). Object and Walking Probes in Ethnographic Interviewing. Field Methods, 17(2), 200–204. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05274733