Module Information for GE Elective Modules held by
Department of Design and Architecture
GEE5101 Effective Branding & Consumer Behaviour
This module aims to introduce the forces that shape the value systems of the society and individuals leading to different consumer behaviours in the socio-cultural context of a globalised world. It also aims to develop students’ awareness of effective branding in the marketplace. On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to apply the concept of consumer decision making process for the contemporary issues in global markets; perform research on consumer consumption and brand implication; and analyse and propose appropriate solutions for branding by identifying the specific issues relating to lifestyle segmentation of target.
The following topics/areas will be covered:
- Introduction to Consumer Behaviour
- Research Methodology
- Individual Determinants of Consumer Behaviour
- Environmental Influences on Consumer Behaviour
- Lifestyle Segmentation
- Situations and Decision Making
- Branding
Assessment Methods
Component |
Analysis |
Brand Audit Evaluation |
Project and Presentation |
No. of assessment |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Weighting as a % of module mark |
30% |
30% |
40% |
GEE5103 Living with Sustainable Materials
Living with Sustainable Materials is designed to develop students’ intellectual ability and aesthetic sense through the appreciation of contemporary materials used in designs for our daily life. Through an exposure to the innovative trends of the use of materials in the global market, students will develop social sensibility and an awareness of advance notions of sustainability from a socio-cultural perspective. Their creative thinking will also be fostered during the process of exploring and re-engineering various conventional and non-conventional materials.
The following topics/areas will be covered:
- Materials in Society
- Material Thoughts and Design Thinking
- Performance, Properties and Processes of Design Materials
- Selection, Experimentation and Exploration of Materials
- Transforming and Application of Materials
Assessment Methods
| Component | Research Log (Individual Assignment) | Group Project |
| No. of assessment | 1 | 4 |
| Weighting as a % of module mark | 30% | 70% |
The Research Log comprising students’ collections and evaluations of environmental issues; The Group Project will be used to assess students’ creative thinking, problem solving skill as well as their aesthetic quality, while requiring them to demonstrate their social sensibility in addressing a sustainability issue.
GEE5104 Landscape Appreciation
This module aims to introduce the basic principles and theories of landscape appreciation, through discussions on world-wide famous landscape sites and projects. This will broaden students’ perspective by presenting a general image of landscape architectural design practice, and demonstrates the environmental and social contributions of landscapes. This module will also raise students’ awareness of cultural and technological aspects of landscape architecture.
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to critique on landscape design based on comprehensive awareness of aesthetic, functional, cultural or technological issues. Students would be aware of the contributions of landscape architecture in environmental and social aspects as well as having knowledge and basic design theories on landscape architecture.
The following topics/areas will be covered (not in sequential order):
- Concepts of landscape and landscape appreciation
- Basic landscape theories and principles
- Physical and cultural landscapes
- History and future trends of landscape design
- Case studies (used to facilitate understanding on above mentioned theories and principles concurrently, both natural and artificial cases will be included):
The percentage contributions to the overall module assessment are:
| Component | Individual Assignment | Group Project: In-class exercise | Group Project: Oral.Presentation |
| No. of assessment | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Weighting as a % of module mark | 35% | 15% | 50% |
Note: This module includes a 6-hour out-of-class site visit.
GEE5109 Design for Fun
Students will acquire knowledge of the development needs of children and the role of objects in play. They will apply knowledge of child development to a simple design process and explore the creation a plaything. Experimental problem-solving and creative thinking will be encouraged as part of making toy design solutions. Besides this, students’ self-confidence, and learning will be developed along with students’ ability to work within a prescribed framework and communicate toy ideas.
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate a range of toys and games on the market to place them into related categorisations;
- Judge appropriateness of a toy’s target user based on knowledge of child development and play needs;
- Generate toy design concepts through analysis of relationship between child development and toy design;
- Use creative problem-solving skills to generate play value in toy design concepts.
The following topics/areas are covered:
- Develop design communication skills including sketching thumbnails, making basic 3-dimensional artefacts, graphic and verbal presentation;
- Child development stages and necessity of play;
- Toy design methods, toy appreciation and consideration of function related to creating toy ideas;
- Problem-solving skills using divergent thinking and creative methods;
- Classification of toy and game categories; and
- Group work involving creating and testing of original toy ideas.
The percentage contributions to the overall module assessment:
| Component | Research Report | Design Project |
| No. of assessment | 1 | 1 |
| Weighting as a % of module mark | 40% | 60% |
GEE5309 Housing Policy and Management*
Do you think housing is a major problem in Hong Kong? Housing is a challenging agenda of our Government in these decades. This module will guide you to appraise and evaluate this core public and social policy.
This module aims to provide students opportunities to assess housing policies and the policy making process in Hong Kong and neighbouring countries, to appraise the role of government and private sector in housing under social, economic and political perspectives. This module evaluates how housing and management theories can be applied in Hong Kong, China and other East Asian and Western countries in relation to housing development and management practice.
Assessment Methods
| Component | Attendance & Class Participation | Assignment | Group Project |
| No. of Assessment | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| Weighting as a % of module mark | 10% (by individual) | 45% (by individual) | 25% (Report) 20% (Presentation) |
Note: This module is taught in English, but Cantonese may be occasionally used to supplement teaching when necessary