BAPD2210 Cultural understanding and Communication Course description

This module looks at how we can become more aware of, and attentive to cultural dimensions when working as designers. It examines how such awareness can help to influence and form the basis for design processes and their outcomes. The module is intended to help students establish a general level of cultural understanding through approaching objects and design as forms of cultural expression, as well as looking at our projects and their roles in relation to broader cultural contexts and societal perspectives. The module aims to give students experience and knowledge in analyzing the different cultural contexts products are a part of, and how these in turn serve to influence design processes. The module also addresses communication, and the importance of this in terms of design processes, products and their dissemination.

Passed first year of the programme or equivalent.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• is capable of seeing the profession in a cultural context and from a contemporary perspective
• is familiar with key theories, issues, processes, tools and methods in cultural understanding, communication and presentation. This includes relevant theories on semiotics, design ethnography, emotional design and sustainable design.

Skills

The student

• is capable of applying cultural understandings to his/her own design process
• is capable of planning and carrying out a strategic design process
• is capable of conducting several iterations in the product development and analysing them
• masters relevant design tools, techniques and forms of expression
• is capable selecting a suitable means of communication and presentation for a group of recipients, and reflecting on dissemination
• is capable of using relevant forms of expression in communication
• is capable of using theory and tools from design research such as design ethnography, mapping, semiotics and emotional design in the development of a product
• is capable of reflecting on and including sustainability as part of his/her own design process
• masters written and oral presentation and argumentation

Competence

The student

• is capable of using resource persons to promote professional development
• is capable of reflecting on him/herself and his/her own work in a cultural context and from a social perspective
• is capable of reflecting on his/her own design practice and adjusting it under supervision
• is capable of navigating and interacting with an international and multicultural classroom environment
• can participate in innovative processes involving new and emerging technologies and build skills in anticipating and adapting to technological change
• masters fundamental English design terms and how to use them in the design process

The course aims to promote knowledge and awareness of the use of communication and cultural understanding in a given design project. Students will learn to communicate using semantic tools, as well as through verbal and visual communication. The student will be introduced to the use of communication methods and presentation techniques and learn how to communicate a message to a target audience.

The course also includes literature on design ethnography, mapping, sustainability, designing presentation material and communication.

The work will result in a product, report and associated communications material.

Individual work or in groups of up to three people, lectures, workshops, presentations and discussion, literature studies and research.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Participation in organised workshops
• Oral presentation of a project using suitable media
• Reflect on learning in the project

Portfolio assessment, individual or in groups of up to three people, subject to the following portfolio requirements in the project report:

• Scope of the portfolio - one student max 35 pages, group of two students max 40 pages, group of three students max 45 pages. Appendices come in addition.
• Process documentation in the form of pictures, graphics, text and other media, with argumentation for the development and choices made.
• Result from the designer project.
• Grounds for choices and giving an oral presentation (carried out as a coursework requirement).
• Discussion and analysis of how/what the product the student has designed communicates, and in what way and to whom.

All parts of the portfolio must be passed (grade E or better) in order to pass the exam in the course.

The exam result can be appealed.

All.

Grade scale A-F.

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.