Practice in Interaction design, 30 Credits

Contents

The course is structured in 3 sections in which contemporary practice and work-related situations are explored by the understanding, analyses, discussions and experience from practical participation in professional design contexts. Practical experience is critically compared to design theory and students reflect upon their observations during the period. Remote tutoring and checkpoints support the creation of a written report for submission at the end of the course. Supervision based on written assignments guides the student in the process of creating a proposal for a thesis project in the Interaction Design Programme.

Section 1. Early Reflections (7,5 credits)
The first phase consists of building up knowledge and understanding about design practice. Observations about company culture, identity, structures, roles and methods experienced in the work place are compiled in a written report and used in a personal reflection about their relation to the actual creative task(s) the student is assigned to perform during the early stages of the internship.

Section 2. Design Theory & Practice (15 credits)
During this phase of the course the student will expand competence and skills by performing design work and compare further insights from the course literature and from design practice. The result is a second reflection paper to be added to the written report.

Section 3. Future Practice (7,5 credits)
The last phase of the course is dedicated to finalising practice work at the company and, in parallel, reflecting about the future of the Interaction design field and the role of designers in relation to industry and society. Student's own values and ambition will then help to identify and express goals and wishes for both personal and subject development during the upcoming degree project. This final reflection paper, accompanied by an evaluation statement issued by the student's mentor at the company, serve as the conclusion for the report.

Expected learning outcomes

After having completed the course, the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Outline and reflect upon insights into current professional practice.
• Relate to complex issues and situations found in professional practice.

Competence and skills

• Propose own ideas using personal expression and advanced artistic skills to solve creative challenges proposed by the company.
• Present own work using oral, visual, writing or other relevant forms, in dialogue with the audience at the company.
• Demonstrate competence and knowledge to work autonomously in a professional capacity.

Judgement and approach

• Make assessments in the field of interaction design, informed by relevant artistic, social, and ethical issues, and use them to formulate a proposal for the upcoming degree project.
• Identify the need for further knowledge and skill development and take responsibility for continuous learning.

Required Knowledge

A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognized university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS credits in the field of Design. Student must have passed all previous master courses on the Interaction Design Programme at Umeå Institute of Design. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

The teaching is in the form of literature study, personal reflection supported by remote tutoring and practical training in a professional design environment. All sections in the course are obligatory. The study language is English.

Examination modes

Examination is carried out in the form of presentations - oral, visual and written - at specific gateways during the course. The final examination consists of the submission of a written report containing analyses and critical reflections about the internship period (sections 1-3), supported by an oral and visual presentation of the student's personal standpoint on contemporary design practice, possible future roles in it and the relation between these and the upcoming degree project.

Deviations from the course syllabus examination form can be made for a student who has a decision on pedagogical support due to disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the framework of the expected syllabus of the course syllabus. At the request of the student, the course responsible teacher, in consultation with the examiner, must promptly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision must then be communicated to the student.

After completing the course, one of the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G) is awarded the student. In order to obtain credit for the course, the student must have produced the deliverables listed above. 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 Head of Department at Umeå Institute of Design.

Academic credit transfer
Academic credit transfer is not applicable.