Program Overview

Course Overview

The Design Communication course, SARC 162, is a studio-based program that explores the principles, media, and techniques used in representing two and three-dimensional design concepts. Students are introduced to the communication conventions of architecture, building science, interior architecture, and landscape architecture.

Course Details

• Dates: 6 July 2026 to 8 November 2026
• Starts: Trimester 2
• Fees:
  • NZ$1,205.55 for domestic students
  • NZ$5,558.70 for international students
• Campus: Te Aro
• Estimated Workload: Approximately 150 hours or 8.3 hours per week for 18 weeks
• Points: 15

Entry Restrictions

• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Restrictions: None

Taught By

The School of Architecture — Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation teaches this course.

About This Course

In the context of designed-environment professions, graphics, drawings, or spatial data are required to represent three-dimensional objects or spaces. This course focuses on the graphical representation of three-dimensional objects, spaces, and design concepts, following certain professional techniques and associated terminology.

Course Learning Objectives

Students who pass this course should be able to:

1. Communicate ideas and concepts through drawings, renders, and three-dimensional spatial explorations.
2. Depict drawings and three-dimensional objects contextualized in the built environment.
3. Select and combine different representational techniques to communicate a design concept.
4. Compose graphic presentations that communicate design ideas, processes, and intentions.

How This Course Is Taught

Teaching and learning are delivered through two 2-hour studio sessions per week. Online tutorials are available for students studying by distance.

Assessment

• Assignment 1: Representing artefacts and objects (40%)
• Assignment 2: Representing spaces and design concepts (40%)
• Performance-Based Assessments (PBAs): (20%)

What You'll Need to Get

Students need to provide all materials and equipment necessary for the completion of coursework, including:

• Square ruled paper
• Standard paper
• Pencils and fine-liners of 2-3 different gauges and colors
• Ruler and drawing square
• Small Stanley knife or scalpel
• Paper glue
• Simple model-making materials
• Tape measure and/or meter stick

Past Versions of This Course

Older versions of this course may be accessible through the course archive.

Student Feedback

Previous students' feedback on this course can be found in the student feedback database.