BAPD3910 Bachelor Project Course description

The Bachelor’s thesis in Product Design is about demonstrating your knowledge and skills within the field of design, through developing an innovative design project. This might entail creating an aesthetic or commercial product, a concept or service. The project ought to realized as the result of a thorough process of research and experimentation. It must be contextualized in accordance with its intended use, and relative to competitors and the marketplace.

Students are expected to demonstrate an awareness towards all sustainability issues related to their work.

The first year of study or equivalent must be passed in order to start the course and take the exam. In addition, at least 130 credits in total from the programme or equivalent must be passed.

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 able to use suitable methods for collecting and analyzing information relevant to their project. (i.e. existing products, commercial operators, materials, literature, production facilities etc.)
• is familiar with and understands financial concepts and how methods from the field of marketing can be applied to the product design process
• is familiar with subject specific terminology, theory, research and methods and able to apply appropriate use of these
• is familiar with, and able to account for ethical and legal issues related to professional contexts, such as the marketplace, intellectual property and data protection
• has a basic knowledge of design- and market communication
• is aware of and understands principals of Universal Design, and able to apply this as and when appropriate

Skills

The student is capable of:

• using creativity and innovative thinking to inform their design process and its final outcomes
• analyzing market potential and understanding potential competitors
• devising a project plan and timeline and successfully managing their project
• developing a product with an accompanying brand strategy that suits the product's intended use
• communicating and presenting their project in writing and spoken language
• working independently, making informed decisions with regard to experimentation, materiality, aesthetics, form and function.
• describing and using suitable materials and production methods
• making use of relevant theories, methods and research
• assessing the need for inclusive solutions, Universal Design and/or other adaptations and implementing these as necessary
• referring to persons, sources and references in accordance with academic standards
• contextualizing their work in relation to sustainability issues and in a global societal perspective

Competence

The student:

• can contextualize their work as a designer, and understands how this contributes to societal and sustainability issues
• masters processes and methods for developing experimental and innovative design solutions
• can independently run and manage their own project
• can reflect on their own learning and development and make adjustments in accordance with tutorial feedback

Through the BA thesis students will complete and document a design project where they are responsible for making their own decisions - using all of the skills developed throughout the duration of the course. They should continue to expand their development as designers; demonstrating that they have mastered design processes, and evidencing their skill-sets through their work.

Individual or group work, self-study with one to one tutorials, as well as milestone meetings where critical feedback will be shared between students.

Lectures, workshops, milestone meetings and tutorials.

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

• Project description for the BA thesis
• Thesis and practical final outcomes
• Participation in a midway critical appraisals
• Reflective note
• Individual plan for public presentation of the BA thesis and contribution to the digital catalogue

Portfolio assessment subject to the following requirements:

1. Detailed project description
2. Product
3. Documentation of the finished product
4. Documentation of the design process
5. Physical and/or digital material to present the bachelor’s thesis in a public setting
6. Presentation of the bachelor’s thesis to the examiners (may be open to supervisors and students).

A preliminary grade is awarded for parts 1-5 of the bachelor’s thesis. Candidates who are awarded a grade F (fail) for parts 1-5 are not allowed to take the oral exam. The exam result for parts 1 to 5 can be appealed.

After the oral presentation (part 6), the grade can be adjusted up or down by up to one grade.

The assessment of the oral presentation cannot be appealed.

All supporting aids are permitted as long as the rules for referencing are adhered to

Grade scale A-F.

The project is assessed bu onne internal and one external examiner.