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DESA1004 Designing with Surfaces and Light
Assignment 1 (40%): Evaluation of a Visual Environment.
Please read all instructions before commencing this assignment.

Due: Wednesday the 7th of July at 11:59 pm

For this assignment, you will be focusing on the interactions of light and the relationship
to the interior environment.

Select an interior space that you would like to analyse. This could be anything as simple as
your bedroom to something as grand as the foyer of an exclusive hotel. Ideally, you should
be able to visit the space. If you would like to use a space that you have found online,
ensure you have comprehensive images and present an original analysis, i.e., do not use
ideas from someone else's critique of the space.
[Hint: Consider if the space that you are selecting will enable you to maximise your capacity to respond to the
assignment instructions]

Write a 750-word essay that includes the following information:
• A brief description of the space that you have selected. This description is to provide
the reader with the general information that is relevant to your particular
evaluation.
[Hint: You may like to include the name of the space, purpose, demographics of the users, size, something
unusual about your space, overall feel, colour scheme, unique or common surfaces. You do not necessarily
have to provide the description in one particular paragraph. You can include this information as it is
appropriate throughout your discussion.]
• Consider the interactions between light and surface that are visible within your
space.
[Hint: Reflection, transmission, absorption, refraction, dispersion]
• Select one interaction (that is visible within your space). Without the use of
formulas, provide a scientific explanation of how your selected interaction behaves
with your interior's surfaces, materials, and/or colours.
• Use supportive scholarly/credible research and one comparative example to argue if
your interaction enhances or hinders your selected interior.
[Hint: The selected space is the foyer of a high-end hotel. The interaction chosen is a semi specular
reflection on the floor surface. An argument may be - the semi specular reflections enhance the
prestige of the interior design. Research materials could include lighting design handbooks and
industry articles. A comparative example could be The David H. Kotch Theatre at the Lincoln Centre.
Double hint: Do not use information that could be considered general knowledge of the topic as your
research. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9if-c-8LHNk]





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Assessment Rubric
0 1 to 2 3 to 4 5 to 6 7 to 8 9 to 10
No serious attempt Writing skills* require
significant improvement
Writing skills* require
improvement
Good writing skills* Excellent writing skills* Exceptional writing
skills*
0 1 to 2 3 to 4 5 to 6 7 to 8 9 to 10
No serious attempt Little demonstration of
pertinent research

Further demonstration
of pertinent research is
required
A good demonstration
of pertinent research
Demonstration of an in-
depth study of pertinent
reference material

Demonstration of an in-
depth study of
complicated pertinent
reference material
0 1 to 2 3 to 4 5 to 6 7 to 8 9 to 10
No serious attempt Little understanding of
unit modules
Improve knowledge of
unit modules
Good understanding of
unit modules
Excellent understanding
of unit modules
achieved by self-
directed exploration of
topics
An in-depth
understanding of unit
topics that
demonstrated a high
degree of knowledge
beyond the expectations
of the unit
0 1 to 2 3 to 4 5 to 6 7 to 8 9 to 10
No serious attempt

Analysis approach was
very common
Consider how you could
present an original
approach
An appropriate analysis. An original and or
creative analysis
A highly original,
observant, and or highly
creative analysis
* Writing skills include (but are not limited to) within word count criterion, accurate information, referencing format, ability to write concisely,
organisational structure, and appropriate grammar and spelling.

Assignment guidelines, hints and tips:
• Ensure citations are in a scholarly format. APA is preferred. If you would like to use
another format, please note (on your reference list page) what style you are using.
• Details of all works cited within the assignment should be included on a reference
list page.
• Wherever possible, your writing should be analytical rather than descriptive.
https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12076/pages/overview-writing-persuasively
• Be as concise in your writing as possible. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-
tools/conciseness-handout/
• Word limits do not include references, citations or quotations. Plus or minus 10% of
the word count (for each section) will not be penalised.
• Use double line spacing and size 14 Aerial or Times font.
• Ensure the file size does not exceed 40 MB.
• Upload your assignment as a Microsoft Word document. (If you are concerned about
the formatting, you can also upload a .pdf).
• TIP: If you haven't already, get involved with our weekly discussions. Use these
forums to ask questions, present ideas and engage with other students.
• Visit the websites of links included. They are there to help you.

This assignment is an individual assessment. Site location and personal research should
not be shared with other students in this unit.
If you have made a genuine attempt to submit your assignment on our Canvas site but have
had technical issues or are in doubt about whether it was correctly submitted, email your
lecturer Jo Elliott joelene.elliott@sydney.edu.au immediately. Explain the situation and
attaching a copy of your assignment. Failure to submit due to uploading errors and faulty
internet connections will receive a late penalty of 5% per day. Please see the following link
for information about how to submit a Turnitin assignment.
https://guides.instructure.com/m/4212/l/41972-how-do-i-submit-an-online-assignment







































































































































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