The Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre, Queenscliff (https://vfa.vic.gov.au/education/marine-and-freshwater-discovery-centre) provides education and eco-tourism services about the plants and animals that inhabit our coast and marine environment. In this Studio you will investigate the marine life in Port Phillip Bay and explore how to engage a teenage audience in an ecological understanding of the intricate relationship of marine creatures to each other and human beings.

Environmental communication research identifies that information is not enough to persuade people to change their behaviour. Design plays an important role by engaging people through emotion and values and deep understanding of ecological relationships that drive actions. This studio draws together theory on behaviour change, interpretation design and systems and ecological thinking to inform design outcomes.

Students will propose design outcomes and full design mockups to the partner organisations, together with rationales that explain the underpinning research and knowledge. It is also intended that the studio will engage with school students in the development of their work. Design outcomes may vary, from digital, print and physical artefacts. The selection of suitable forms will be defined by the studio's inquiry, audience and context. Depending on resources of the Discovery Centre, some of the design proposals may be produced for public display and interaction.

Successful design outcomes will be supported through research into ecological systems, audience, field trips, material experiments using makerspaces, and testing of design prototypes.

Brief 01: Research folio. Brief 02: Concept proposal and design prototype. Brief 03: Developed proposal and designed artefact. Brief 04: Studio knowledge object.

Becoming Ecoliterate
A Systems Story
The plastic backlash: what's behind our sudden rage - and will it make a difference?

Marine and Freshwater Discovery Centre, Queenscliff

Designing Experiences, Designing for Social Change, Systems Thinking, Designing for Sustainability