MAPD5300 Aesthetics of Materiality Course description

In our world of things and artefacts materiality is shaping both culture and cognition. Humans depend on things and things depend on humans, but by active consideration we can discover the way materials direct and define us. This course takes creative engagement with the designer´s sensory modalities as a starting point for explorative design-processes and materials driven design, where subjective methods and personal experience become ways for handling complexity and relating to user experience.

The course is centred around practice-based research and we will focus on working directly with materials, spatial interaction, developing model-studies and examining process. Exploration is emphasized throughout the course and the student is expected to generate a comprehensive series of model output and to develop aesthetic, reflexive skills in design.

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

Individual or group portfolio examination. The portfolio consists of:

• Poster - visualisation of the essence of the project, (optional a concise and integrated text)
• Product in optional media.
• Research-based design project/proposal 2500-3000 words.

The examination result can be appealed

The student must have passed the first year of master's courses that are required for their specific degree.

A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has knowledge in at least two out of the following three points:

• insight into planning and running a research project
• a specialised knowledge in the research methods and theories being used in the project.
• an insight into how social research can come into practical use or have an impact

Skills

The student can in at least two out of the following four points

• make an independent and critical search for literature and relevant studies for a research project
• handle data in an ethical and critical manner, and adhere to the norms of ethical conduct in research
• critically reflect on the researchers role in knowledge production
• conduct an independent small-scale research or development project under supervision

General Competence

The student has

• developed general competence for independent research
• practiced innovative thinking and competence in transferring knowledge and skills to new areas

When students have been accepted in a project they are expected to produce the following:

1. The student will choose about 500 pages for a reading list that are thematically, methodologically and scientifically relevant for the scientific outcome.

2. A scientific outcome. A relevant scientific outcome for the project may be:

• a paper produced as a working paper
• a paper, poster, film or exhibit for presentation in a scientific conference
• an independent or co-authored publication
• a presentation of results for stakeholders
• an integrated part of a larger publication from the project. In this case, the student and the supervisor must indicate which part of the publication the student is responsible for.
• a policy-brief, summarizing the main findings as well as suggesting the implications and recommendations of these findings
• or other output approved by the course coordinator and the supervisor

The scientific outcome can be submitted as an individual or as a joint work.

3. In addition to the scientific outcome from the project participation, each student will deliver an individual report. This report should contain a critical reflection of the learning process as well as the student's individual contribution, uses of method or implication of the produced knowledge.

The work should amount to the equivalent of 6 weeks of full time studies.

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 about culture and its role, both from a personal and professional perspective
• knowledge of central cultural terms and cultural values
• attained knowledge on methods that involve interactions between people and material culture
• has a good understanding for how aesthetic awareness, reflexivity and criticality works as crucial factors in informed design practices

Skills;

The student;is able;to:;;

• reflect critically on the role of design in a cultural context
• challenge established perspectives and norms in the field
• integrate cultural perspectives into the development of a product
• use aesthetic methods to enhance communication of the design process and the results
• use various forms of articulation to give non-verbal data meaning
• interweave different; forms of knowledge from practice and theory

General competence;

The student has a developed understanding for:

• the relevance of knowledge of cultural values and meanings, and their impact on design
• sustainable responsibility and autonomy for cultural; issues in design

Lectures, workshops, discussions, presentations, self-study, practical work and tutoring.;

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

• written project description (design pitch) with a defined research aim 500-700 words.
• presentation to fellow students and teachers;(10 minutes)