MAPD5900 Master's Project in Product Design Course description

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 will attain knowledge within:

• systems theory, systemic design and sustainability
• cybernetics and communication theory
• conversation theory
• systems dynamics and systems analysis
• game dynamics in systems
• methods for data gathering in complex settings (visual interviewing, design probes and play probes, co-design, among others)

Skills

The student is capable of:

• describing complex contexts through systems thinking as basis for design
• creating GIGA-maps
• usages of GIGA-maps as conversation, data gathering, research, analysis, and design tools
• utilizing systemic design methods for data gathering, workshop facilitation, cooperation, common analysis, data documentation, intervention and the analysis of the effect of the interventions
• documenting all findings in common visualizations and reducing data into graphs that communicate for example discussions, findings, tendencies, causality, dynamics, emergence i.a.
• creating services and products on the basis of the above mentioned skills

General competence

The student attains advanced competence in systemic design by:

• developing the ability to understand and handle complexity and systems thinking in design processes in groups with stakeholders
• holistic thinking and understanding of design projects in relation to sustainability, environmental and social megatrends, general societal contexts and dynamics, culture, politics, market, and technological contexts
• communication and cooperation by visualization, GIGA-mapping, and other types of mapping
• the capability to play a lead and cooperative role in design related projects in public and business contexts
• the ability to implement a chosen specialization as an additional approach or focus within this specific course context

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are: workshops, group work, lectures, discussions (conversation theory based), studio courses and tutoring

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

• one note of reflection. Maximum 1000 words.
• one workshop
• visualized articles
• workshop documentation

Individual or group portfolio examination. The portfolio consists of:

• One gigamap / systems mapping / design intervention

The examination result can be appealed.

No restrictions.

Two internal examiners. External examiners are used regularly.

Systemic design

• systems theory
• cybernetic theory
• conversation theory
• systemic relations
• visualization of exceedingly complex situations

Game dynamics in systems

• Engagement in systems
• Play and game mechanics in systems

Systemic design methods for data gathering in complex settings

• visual interviewing
• design probing, play probing
• mapping workshops

Methods for the analysis of data and design

• ZIP
• systemic relations
• cybernetic analysis & Praxis/ behavior analysis
• distinctions of functioning systems and structures
• systems dynamics
• causal dynamics
• input and output dynamics
• feedback loops, reinforcing loops, balancing loops
• relational mapping
• stocks, flow, delay, buffers, goal, autopoietic, backlog, information flow, paradigm analysis in relation to intervening in systems for change

One internal and one external examiner.