Lecturer
Dr Rob Saunders
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Office:
Room 274, Wilkinson Building (G04) - E-mail:
- Web site: http://people.arch.usyd.edu.au/~rob/
Classes
- Units: 6 Credit Points
- Lectures: Wednesdays, 1800-1900. Wilkinson Building, Room 268
- Labs: Wednesdays, 1900-2100. Wilkinson Building, Room 313
- Web site: http://people.arch.usyd.edu.au/~rob/teaching/2008/DESC9176/
Aim
Generative design systems are computational systems that produce designs from encoded representations and processes. They are capable of producing designs that range from the detailed through to the large scale. The designs produced cam often be unexpected. This unit introduces a range of generative systems and focuses on evolutionary systems. Evolutionary models of design can be used to explain changes in design styles and technologies. Evolutionary models can also be used to generate new designs from previous designs. The concept of evolution as a process of changes over time is introduced.
Learning Objectives
On completion of this unit of study, students should be able to:
- develop generative systems in design.
- develop a representation of a specific design project so that new designs can be generated.
Overview
The unit of study runs for 13 weeks. One hour each week will be in a lecture and two hours will be spent in labs. This is designed to be a practical unit and students will be expected to experiment in the labs with the techniques that are taught in the lectures.
On completion of this unit of study students will have an understanding of the fundamental concepts of generative systems in design. They will have knowledge of how to formulate design problems as evolutionary systems.
Timetable
Assessment
The method of assessment for this unit will be a combination of two short assignments and one major project.
Assignments
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Assignment 1 (Deadline: Tuesday 9 April)
Design Grammars — Develop a design grammar for generating posters. (brief)
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Using Context Free develop a set of design grammars for generating rug designs. The submission should include a design document, a final design grammar and a series of experimental design ideas and/or grammars showing the exploration of alternative and the development of the final grammar.
The deadline is midnight on Tuesday 9 April.
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Assignment 2 (Deadline: Wednesday 30 April)
Design Grammars — Develop a parametric design space for generating movies. (brief)
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Using Context Free, and our custom software to support parametric design grammars, develop a parametric design space for generating movies to display in the courtyard. The submission should include a design document, a final parametric design grammar and a movie generating using the design grammar.
The deadline is midnight on Tuesday 29 April.
Project
The project is a substantial research project into the potential for developing creative systems to support mass customisation. The project is worth a total of 60% of the final mark for the unit.
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Project (Friday 20 June)
Creative Systems for Mass Customisation Research Project — Research, develop and proposed a creative design support system for mass customisation. (brief)
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The aim of the project is to research, develop and proposed a creative design support system to address a significant problem with the design of individualised products and services for mass customisation.
Resources
Here's a local copy of the Endorphin animation tool. This is the Learning Edition, which means that it doesn't export motion capture data, only animations.
Endorphin LE (v2.6.1)