BAPD2100 Human Factors and Function – Product and Methods Course description

Design should include a human-centered approach to create something new, where both the overall concept and the details work together to provide perceived value for users. This course focuses on users and user situations, and on how to translate their needs into central functions within the user experience. The course emphasizes two main focus areas: sustainability and inclusive design.

Students will gain an understanding and insight into various design methods relevant to specific design processes. For approximately 8-9 out of 12 weeks, students work in smaller groups (2-5 students). This highlights the importance of collaboration skills. Group dynamics and factors influencing collaboration will also be addressed in the teaching.

Relevant topics include:

• Function and human user aspects
• User-centered design and ergonomics
• Exploring physical, psychological, and societal dimensions from a user perspective
• Practicing and experiencing theory and design methodology in various design processes

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Students must have passed the courses BAPD1100, BAPD1020 and BAPD1300 or equivalent.

Upon completing the course, the student has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• Is familiar with the key principles of inclusive design and corresponding user/human-centered design, user involvement, and co-creation.
• Understands theories and principles of sustainable design.
• Has knowledge of design methodology, including:
  • User-centered product design.
  • Divergent and convergent thinking.
  • Methods for analyzing needs and problem areas related to product and system use - the concept of user insight.
  • The application of various model types throughout the design process (conceptual, functional, mock-up, prototype).

Collaboration:

• The student is familiar with various factors that influence the ability to collaborate and the group climate.
• Knowledge of collaboration includes theories on personality types and group dynamics.

Skills

The student:

• Can plan and execute a design process.
• Can further develop skills in model building, materialization of ideas, 3D modeling, documentation, presentation, and the use of knowledge databases and scientific research.
• Can define problems and develop solutions with a high degree of user involvement.
• Is proficient in acquiring knowledge and experience in sorting and extracting the essence of research/analysis material.
• Is skilled in construction, model building, and surface treatment.
• Can build upon knowledge and understanding of materials and their properties, as well as production and industrial processes.
• Is able to collaborate with different personality types and utilize diversity and individual qualities effectively.

General Competence

The student:

• Has an understanding of, and practical experience in, managing the interaction between user, environment, and product in a design process.
• Is proficient in exchanging viewpoints and experiences with resource persons and interdisciplinary environments to promote professional development.
• Can reflect on their own development in the learning process and adjust it under supervision.
• Can describe and discuss ethical challenges at the intersection of design, technology, and society, particularly within the themes of integration, participation, and multicultural perspectives.

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.
• One reflection note 500-1000 ord.

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 3,500 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 aids are permitted, as long as rules for source referencing are followed.

Grade scale A-F.

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.