Swedish name: Designprocessen
This syllabus is valid: 2011-09-05 and until further notice
Syllabus for courses starting after 2011-09-05
Course code: 5ID137
Credit points: 15
Education level: Second cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Industrial Design: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Grading scale: Two-grade scale
Responsible department: Umeå Institute of Design (UID)
The course provides a deeper understanding of methods and processes applied in industrial design and in the product development process. A special emphasis is put on user centered design in a Scandinavian design tradition in relation to global societal issues. Important aspects of the course includes working in design teams, and combining theory and practice through reflecting on the own design process during and after a project in which a user centered design approach is central. During the course, the student works with relating the own design process to theories on design process and design methodology, in order to have a solid understanding of when and how design decisions are made in the process. The student also works with developing the own visualisation skills, mainly focusing on manual sketching techniques and developing a personal style in sketching. The course is structured in four sub-courses: Sub-course 1. Introductory project, 1,5 credits The sub-course consists of an introduction to Umeå Institute of Design and the course as a whole. Work methods and educational philosophy are presented and discussed, and a basic introduction is given to the UID infrastructure of facilities, computer systems, economy and materials (DOLF system) and study techniques. Students carry out a short project with the aim of introducing the methodology of project work and fundamentals of group dynamics. Examination is carried out through active participation in education and a visual and oral project presentation of group work. Sub-course 2. Sketching and idea communication, 3 credits. The sub-course focuses on how to communicate ideas through 2D sketching techniques in different stages of the design process. Emphasis is on the basics of visual communication, and sketching as a tool for ideation and communication. The aim is that students shall gain confidence in clearly communicating ideas, processes, forms and functions visually and orally in different contexts, and to introduce different sketching techniques for different situations and needs. Emphasised during the sub-course is also the process of selection and decision making in relation to concept generation and evaluation. The sub-course also aims to help students develop their personal style and identity in sketching, and to make the most out of the visualisation tools available in order to clearly convey ideas. The sub-course is examined through active participation in education and submission of required assignments. Sub-course 3. User centred design process, 7,5 credits The sub-course is run as a project, in which the design process is focused from a user centric approach. The aim of the sub-course is that the student shall develop a stronger understanding of the own methods of working, and the abilities to communicate these to both design professionals and to non-designers. Different methods for problem definition, research and user studies, ideation, evaluation, refinement, testing and visualisation are related to a user centred Scandinavian design tradition. The aim of the sub-course is that the students deepens the own skills in and understanding of a systematic and structured design process, in which a user focus is used throughout the whole process, and clearly can communicate, verbally and visually, the own process and the basis of design decisions made during the process. One important focus of the sub-course is working in design teams and sharing ideas and resources in a way that promotes innovation and cooperation, also in individual steps of the process. Examination through active participation in education, submission of required deliverables, and the oral and visual presentations of a design project. Sub-course 4. Design theory and design thinking, 3 credits The sub-course gives an orientation in research and writing in design theory, with a special focus on the area of design thinking. During the sub-course, the student will work with reflection on the own design process and approach to design, and relates aspects of this to theories and perspectives within design. One important outcome of the sub-course is that the student can describe and critically reflect on the design process from a subjective as well as from an objective standpoint. Examination through active participation in seminars and submission of written assignments.
After completing the course, the student shall be able to: - apply the design process from a user centric approach in a project assignment, and reflect on how this perspective affects the different stages of the process as well as the results. - in a clear and compelling way present design problems and solutions, and provide relevant argumentation for design decisions made during the design process. - orally and in writing account for, and reflect on, how the own design process is conducted, and relate this to different theories and methods within design research and professional design practice. - show skills in time and project management by keeping deadlines and fulfilling requirements, and be able to evaluate a design project with relevance both to time management and design methodology. - communicate ideas and design concepts through visual techniques, and verbally describe and argue for the techniques and visual structures used to convey these ideas. - conduct a design project in a group and share ideas and results through group discussions, demonstrating an awareness of group processes in project work. - produce a visual project presentation in which the design process is explained, from problem statement to final concept, and present this orally in English in a structured and logical way.
For admission to the course, students must hold a BA degree in industrial design, or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B. (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section). Admittance to the course is administrated locally at UID. The selection of applicants is based on portfolio and interviews with special regard to innovative and creative skills and personal motivation and maturity.
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutoring, practical assignments, and project work. Students work both individually and in groups with assignments and projects. Education is carried out in English.
Examination is carried out orally, visually and in writing, individually and in groups, in the forms of project presentations, submission of visual assignments, texts and reports, seminars, and active participation in seminars and teacher led education of assessing character. After completing the course, one of the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) is awarded the student. Students receive a grade of either Pass (G) or Fail (U) for each assignment and sub-course as for full course. For the grade Pass, the student must be present for mandatory education, hand in required deliverables and complete all examinations with the grade of Pass. For students who have not obtained the grade Pass, other examination sessions will be arranged. A student who for two consecutive examinations for the same course or sub-course has not been passed, has the right to have another examiner appointed, if there are no special reasons against this (Higher Education Ordinance chapter 6, 22 §). The request for a new examiner shall be made in writing to the Department board of Umeå Institute of Design. Academic credit transfer Equivalency credits for this course can only be given if it can be shown through transcripts and course plans that a similar course has been passed, and after the course responsible and director of single subject courses have evaluated and approved the students individual level of skills and knowledge.
The literature list is not available through the web. Please contact the faculty.