IA20130 Designing the Future

Academic Year 2023/2024

OVERVIEW:

'Designing the Future' at the Innovation Academy will increase your creative and technical abilities. It is open to all disciplines. The class teaches you authentic design, prototyping and manufacturing skills through hands-on exercises. You will be given various tasks and challenges using advanced makerspace tools through the “Design Thinking” Process. Throughout the module, we will consider the impacts of design, material choice and environmental/social sustainability in “making.”

This module is suitable for those with little or no prior making experience and those who know the basics but may want practical hands-on experience with prototyping technology.

TOPICS INCLUDE:

- The Design Thinking Process
- 3D Printing
- CAD (Computer-Aided Design) Basics for 3D Design & Manufacturing
- Vacuum Forming and mould making
- Laser Cutting/Engraving
- Visualisation and communication using online platforms such as Canva

Over the course of the module, you will be introduced to a variety of technology and visualisation tools. You will build ideation, testing, and prototyping skills while improving your communication skills with non-technical audiences.

Using these skills, you will make physical prototypes using 3D printing, wood, acrylic and other materials culminating in a creative project which may be used in a professional portfolio.

FORMAT:

This module is offered face-to-face only. There will be a mix of facilitated classes and teamwork and individual tasks to be completed outside of class time. Please allow time in your schedule for group work/project work, as this must be done within the UCD MakerSpace.

NOTES:

Enrolment in an Innovation Academy module means a commitment to active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at all scheduled classes.

We limit this class size to 16 students or less. We require a minimum of 10 participants to ensure enough people for teamwork and a dynamic classroom environment. On very rare occasions, if fewer than 10 registered students register, we will offer students the opportunity to join another class.


UCD INNOVATION ACADEMY

ABOUT US:


At the UCD Innovation Academy, we are a group of Educator Practitioners with extensive real-world experience as academics, business and social entrepreneurs, tech thinkers, creative professionals and design thinking practitioners.

We take an action-oriented approach to learning, with a combination of individual, group and class tasks and activities, including discussions, presentations and reflection. All of our teaching is grounded in academic rigour, and our focus is on learning from doing in a real-world context.

www.innovationacademy.ie

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

(1) Understand the basic principles, potential practical applications of 3D Printing, Thermoforming (vacuum forming), and Laser Cutting Technology including their impact on the environment and society.

(2) Apply 3D Printing Technology safely through 3D Printers using in-class exercises, custom designing 3D objects using CAD software, and printing 3D objects.

(3) Apply thermoforming (Vacuforming) technology safely to create moulds for protyping and production.

(4) Understand the operation principles of Laser cutting, and the potential application of this technology in production or entrepreneurial settings.

(5) Practice communication skills through visual story-telling (presenting), ideation, and intuitive design.

(6) Practice giving and receiving feedback in an interdisciplinary team environment and with real-life users using the “Design Thinking” process.

(7) Practice personal reflection as a tool for continuous self-improvement.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Small Group

20
Tutorial

6
Specified Learning Activities

35
Autonomous Student Learning

35
Total

120
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
All Innovation Academy modules take a 'learning by doing' approach, combining individual, and group activities and tasks including projects, discussion and reflection. Guest speakers will share their own experiences and lessons learnt.

- Active/task-based learning
- Real-world challenges
- Teamwork
- Reflective Learning
- Enquiry & Problem-based learning
- Student Presentations
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Attendance: This module requires active participation and engagement, which necessitates attendance at ALL scheduled classes. Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

40
Group Project: Team project showcasing the learning objectives throughout the trimester. Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

20
Continuous Assessment: In class hours and outside of class hours, individual/group activity (work or practice with MakerSpace equipment may be required outside of scheduled class hours to complete projects) Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

20
Assignment: Reflection report Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

20

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Facilitators will give verbal feedback on classroom-based continuous assessment activities such as group presentations, presentation materials and other deliverables.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Autumn
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Lecture Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Wed 14:00 - 16:50
Autumn
      
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31 Tues 15:00 - 17:50
Lecture Offering 2 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 32, 33 Mon 15:00 - 17:50
Spring