MAPD5300 Aesthetics of Materiality Course description

Completion of all courses from the first three semesters of the master's programme.

Admission to the Master's programme.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has developed advanced abilities in visual- and material articulation and aesthetic application .
• has gained advanced knowledge of material engagement and how the world of things, artifacts, and material signs can be embodied through practical exploration.
• has gained advanced knowledge about interplay between material-aesthetics and object­-semantics.
• has gained knowledge about aesthetic strategies, methods and theory within a practical design research project.

Skills

The student is capable of:

• independently running a discovery-led process and stating a relevant research question.
• developing and recognizing relevant practical working methods.
• developing concept- and material model studies within a specific context.
• analyzing and reflecting on form and material application using relevant terminology.
• dissecting and refining design models systematically
• analyzing and synthesizing experience from observations and various perceptions.
• exhibiting and presenting their research using relevant terminology and tools.

General competence

The student

• is familiar with the theoretical basis of a practice based-research.
• understands the need for and use of practical exploration.
• is familiar with the terminology and language of practice-based research

No restrictions.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of the chosen research area with a clear reference to the field of design
• manages using relevant scientific theory and design methodology
• has advanced knowledge to answer research questions using relevant research methods, literature, theory and practice

Skills

The student

• can facilitate and lead activities in a design process
• can independently plan and carry out a comprehensive independent research project in term of a master's project
• can collect, analyze and critically evaluate various sources of information
• is capable to justify and reflect decisions made during the master's project adequately and competently
• is capable of demonstrate well-argued and documented solutions to the specified problem using high quality visualizations
• is capable of exploring and skillfully materialize ideas for a purpose

can argue and explain academic positions within the chosen field of study

General competence

The student

• can contribute to new thinking and development of new design knowledge and practice
• is capable to relate their design process to professional research ethics and sustainable value creation
• is capable of critical reflect of own process and role in relation to achievement
• is capable of collaborate and involve resource persons

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are individual work, and individual and group tutoring. Students are encouraged to form colloquia groups and establish collaborations with external resource persons and communities. There will be arranged workshops and/or seminars.

If two or more students wish to work together on the portfolio degree project, a written application must be submitted to the Department of Product Design with the project description in the 3rd semester.

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

• approved project description mid-January
• one reflection paper
• plan for a public presentation of the master thesis

No restrictions.

Individual portfolio examination, followed by an oral examination.

The master project portfolio consists of

• a written and visual assignment. The projects should consist of a written and visual assignment between 80-120 pages). Material which needs to appear physical (models, maps, posters etc.) could be submitted as part of the master`s project.
• design process documentation
• a product (physical-, digital- or system-oriented)
• finished material for a presentation of the master thesis in a public common context.

The portfolio exam is given a temporary grade. The oral examination may adjust the final grade up or down a grade. In order to take the oral exam the portfolio examination must have been given a passing grade.

The examination result at the portfolio examination can be appealed.

Two internal. External examiner is used periodically..