MAPD5900 Master's Project in Product Design Course description

The Master's Project in Product Design is a comprehensive and independent practical and theoretical in-depth piece of work where the student(s) choose a relevant research question to explore. Students should demonstrate insights, analytical thinking, and critical reflection towards existing and their own design practice and research, theories within the field of study, and methods found relevant to apply within the overall framework of the study.

The chosen topic for the master's project should be explored in a way that acknowledges and addresses the discovered complexity. The work should produce sustainable and well-argued design concepts or results that contribute to the development of the field of product design. Guidelines for master's theses at the Faculty can be found here: Retningslinjer for masteroppgaver ved Fakultet for teknologi, kunst og design - Student - minside (oslomet.no).

Content:

• project execution based on practice and theory
• physical and visual communication
• academic writing skills
• design methods
• data collecting methods
• design of a product

Language of instruction: English

To be eligible to write a master's thesis, all courses from the first year of the program must be successfully completed.

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 topic with a through grounding in the fields of design
• has in-depth knowledge about and know how to use relevant design methods and scientific methods in an ethical way

Skills

The student

• can plan and carry out a comprehensive independent and adequate confined research project
• can facilitate and lead creative activities as part of a design process
• can collect, analyze and critically reflect and discuss relevant sources of information
• is capable to justify, argue and reflect on decisions adequately and competently
• is capable to communicate well-argued and documented findings and results through text, visualizations and products
• can argue and explain the results societal positions within the chosen field of study

General competence

The student

• is capable to relate their design process to professional research ethics and sustainable value creation
• is capable to critically reflect upon their process and role in relation to achievement and results
• is capable to collaborate and involve resource persons in their research

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are individual work, group 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 during the course period.

The master`s project can be carried out individually or through collaboration between 2 or 3 students.

The following work requirements must be approved in order to be qualified for the exam:

• approved project description mid-January
• one reflection paper
• Content in term of text and visual material to IPD`s Digital Archive.

Master’s Thesis with Adjusting Oral Examination (individual or in groups of max. 5 students):

The master’s thesis consists of a portfolio with the following components:

• a digital written and visual assignment
• design process documentation: original and physical sketches, maps, posters, models, mockups, etc.
• a product (physical, digital, or system-oriented)

A preliminary grade is given for the portfolio as a whole. Candidates who are assessed with the grade F (fail) cannot proceed to the oral presentation.

Adjusting Oral Examination

Oral presentation of the portfolio for the examiners (may be open to supervisors, students, and invited guests). After the oral presentation, the final grade may be adjusted up or down by up to one grade.

The grade for the master’s thesis may be appealed. In the case of an appeal, the written work will be reassessed by an appeal committee. In cases where the appeal assessment results in a change to the grade for the written component, the student must also complete a new adjusting oral examination.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are followed.

Grade scale A-F.

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.

One internal and one external examiner.