This course introduces students to physical technologies that interact with our bodies and environment through sensors and actuators, systems that are already embedded into our daily lives. A field of creative practice that is sometimes referred to as physical or material computing, this course requires no prior knowledge of coding or electronics, providing a hands-on introduction to integrating physical technologies and computing in creative practice. As a part of this course students can create their own devices, instruments, systems or wearables, applying ideas of interaction design to physical experiences. Through investigations of physical computing technologies, discourses and practices the course also introduces critical perspectives, considering how technology is a cultural and creative material, studying and testing how physical computing can be embodied, how it can integrate, mimic and intervene with systems that are environmental and behavioural, natural and engineered. While grounded in design and the visual arts, this course is suitable for any students with an interest in creative approaches to computing and electronics.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- create designed objects and experiences that incorporate environmental, behavioural and material factors;
- navigate and critically interpret physical computing technologies, discourses and practices and apply research to your creative practice;
- participate and engage with/in collaborative creative processes and projects;
- contextualise your work within fields of discourse and practice through writing and reflection; and
- incorporate ethical and critical approaches to technological and material practices.
Other Information
School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place.
This Course will have a Materials Fee. Outside of a class repository of basic parts each student will be required to have a minimum of an Arduino Uno, a breadboard and USB cable to connect their board to their computer. Additional materials will likely need to be purchased for the development of the projects in the course. This will vary depending on the project but the minimum equipment will cost approximately $30. It is up to each student to source their own equipment and guidance is given in the course Wattle and through the course lecturer.
Indicative Assessment
- Inputs and Outputs Design Sprint (10) [LO 1,2,5]
- Transduction Template (30) [LO 1,2,4,5]
- Intelligent Interventions Project Pitch (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Intelligent Interventions Presentations (20) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Intelligent Interventions Report (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
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks comprising lectures, tutorials/workshops; and
b) 94 hours of independent research, reading and practice.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
As published on Wattle
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 |
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.