BAPD2100 Human Factors and Function - Product and Methods Course description

Design should seek to embrace a human-centred approach in order to create something new - where everything down to the very last detail is all worked out in order to afford greater value to its users. In this module we focus on users and user contexts, and how to translate needs, so that these help to inform the actual functionalities of user-experience. The module takes particular interest in sustainability issues as well as design for inclusivity.

Students must have passed the courses BAPD1100, BAPD1020 and BAPD1300 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 knowledgeable of core principal pertaining to design for inclusivity; user/human-centred design, user-involvement and co-creating.
• is familiar with central theories and principles of sustainable design

The student is familiar with design methodology, including

• user-centred product design
• divergent and convergent thinking
• methods of analysing needs and problem areas related to the use of products and systems, including the concept of user insight
• using different model types through the design process (principle, function and mock-up prototypes)

Skills

The student

• is capable of planning and carrying out a design process
• is capable of further developing skills in model building and idea realisation
• is familiar with 3D modelling, documentation and presentation, and the use of materials databases and scientific searches

• is capable of defining problems and developing solution proposals with a high degree of user involvement
• is capable of acquiring knowledge and experience by identifying and extracting the essence of research/analysis material
• masters construction, model building and surface treatment
• is capable of building on knowledge and understanding of materials and material properties, as well as production and industrial processes

Competence

The student

• understands and has practical experience of dealing with the interaction between the user, environment and product in a design process
• is capable of exchanging opinions and experience with different resource persons and professional environments to promote professional development
• is capable of reflecting on his/her own development in the learning process and adjusting it under supervision
• can describe and discuss ethical challenges at the intersection of design, technology and society, including issues of integration, participation and multiculturalism

Project work individually or in groups.

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

• Submission of presentation material and participation in three (3) milestone meetings.
• Reflection notes.

The exam consist of two parts,Individual and group examination. The exam consists of:

- Part 1. Individual work counts for 40% of the final grade.

Visual representation and mappings that illustrate connections and challenges for the chosen topics.

- Part 2. Group work: the groups can consist of 2 to 5 students.

Part 2 counts for 60% of the final grade and should be based on the work from part 1.

Design process documentation, including visualizations and models.

Presentation of the solution through physical models, posters or other suitable medium.

Scope of report: maximum 2,500 words, unlimited illustrations.

All parts must get a grade of E or better in order to pass the exam.

Examination results can be appealed.

All.

Grade scale A-F.

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.