MAPD5200 Visualizing Complexity Course description

This course introduce students to a methodology that support that handling of complexity in design. The complexity relates to the social/political, environmental, economic and technological contexts in which the designer as well as the product and service that they create, will perform and influence. The methodology in this course builds on systems- and game theory. One of the major methods in this course is GIGA-mapping, which builds on cooperation among students and clients, with lay-people, professionals, and researchers from other disciplines (intra- and inter disciplinary). GIGA-mapping involves the visualization of data in order to accumulate, communicate, and analyze data in order to understand and create products and services within complex systems and structures.

Admission to the Master's programme.

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

Knowledge 

The student has knowledge within

• systems theory
• game dynamics in systems
• system dynamics and analysis
• methods for data gathering in complex settings (visual interviewing, design probes and play probes, among others)

Skills 

The student is capable of 

• utilizing methods for sharing, cooperating, and analyzing on the basis of visualizations of complexity
• creating services and products in complex contexts

General competence 

The student can

• understand and handle complexity in design on advanced level

• Social identity 
• Product strategy 
• Sustainable development 
• System analysis and system analysis tools 
• Service design 
• Visual interviewing
• Probes 
• Systems and game theory 
• Giga mapping
• Cross- inter- and transdisciplinarity in design processes

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are group work, lectures, discussions, studio courses and tutoring.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• One note of reflection. Max 1000 words.
• One group assignment and peer-group presentation. Various number of depending on collaborating partners etc.

Individual or group portfolio examination. The portfolio consists of 

• One gigamap / systems mapping.

The examination result can be appealed. 

No restrictions.

A grading scale of A (highest) to F (lowest) where A to E is a pass grade and F is a fail grade.

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.