This course introduces drawing and model making as foundational languages of design, developing skills in observation, analysis, accuracy and constructive imagination. Students work across orthographic projection, perspective drawing, and physical model making, moving from rapid ideation sketches and ephemeral models through to resolved scale prototypes. Working by hand with multiple media, they explore, develop, and test ideas through material. Alongside these manual processes, the course introduces digital design and fabrication techniques, including computer-aided design and digitally controlled equipment such as laser cutting, and 3D printing. Moving between hand and machine, students learn to translate between drawing, physical model and digital file, and develop an understanding of how tools, materials and processes shape design decisions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- produce drawings that explore and communicate three-dimensional design ideas using appropriate conventions and techniques;
- construct physical models and prototypes through manual processes, using tools and materials safely and effectively within a shared studio environment;
- apply introductory computer-aided design and digital fabrication processes to produce physical outputs;
- translate design information between drawing, physical model and digital file; and
- explain design decisions in individual and group critique, with reference to the material and technical consequences of process selection, and to contemporary and historical making practices.
Other Information
This course will have a Materials Fee. At the ANU School of Art & Design, each workshop sources appropriate specialist materials, which are made available to students to facilitate their working effectively, efficiently and safely within our programs. The School of Art & Design is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. The Materials Fee is payable for the School of Art & Design to supply consumables and materials that become your physical property. You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art & Design, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU. These materials are also WHS compliant. The exact cost of the Materials Fee will be updated in the Class Summary for each semester in which the course is offered. The full SOAD policy can be read here: https://soad.cass.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees.
AFTER HOURS ACCESS
Students have the option to obtain additional access to workshop and studio spaces outside of class delivery. After hours Access is defined as access to workshop and studio spaces outside of business hours (8am – 6pm) between 6pm - 10pm Monday to Friday and 9-4 Saturday and Sunday. It is afforded to students by paying an After hours Access Fee each semester.
Indicative Assessment
- Drawing folio - observational, technical and ideation drawing (25) [LO 1,5]
- Model making exercises (25) [LO 2,5]
- Introductory digital fabrication task (20) [LO 3,4]
- Resolved project: drawn, modelled and fabricated (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Semester delivery:
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: lectures, tutorials, critiques and supervised studio practice; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Intensive delivery:
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact: lectures, tutorials, critiques and supervised studio practice, delivered intensively over two weeks; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
No compulsory texts. Readings supplied via course Canvas site.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $6000 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5491 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |