BAPD3100 Critical reflection in design practice Course description

In this course, the students will be given an opportunity to delve deeper into one or more areas of design. They will plan and carry out a creative design and development process, preferably with a focus on the users’ needs, wishes and requirements. Critical refleciton and dialogue with the target groups and regular user presentations/tests will be an important part of the work.

Knowledge equivalent to having passed the first, second, third and fourth semester, or equivalent.

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

Knowledge;

The student

• is capable of carrying out a complex design process with a pertaining specialisation in the design discipline, from an international and sustainable perspective
• knows relevant methods and tools in the chosen design practice
• can systematically explore aesthetics, functionality, material technology and production methods within the chosen design practice
• can do critical reflections in relation to own design practice

Skills

The student is capable of:

• identifying and describing the relevance of a chosen design practice
• demonstrating how users, stakeholders and professional/resource environments can be involved in the project
• mastering digital and analogue tools, such as development, communication and presentation tools
• leading a discussion, through testing, visualisation and presentation of models/prototypes (physical or virtual), that provides and demonstrates deep insight into a chosen design practice

General competence

The student:

• can contribute to critical reflection in a local and global perspective
• is perceived through the project work as an innovative design student who possesses in-depth knowledge in a chosen area
• is capable of building relevant networks
• is capable of communicating with the parties involved such as users and audience
• is capable of sharing own experience and knowledge with other students and taking part in discussions with the design discipline
• is capable of reflecting on his/her own development in the learning process

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

;

Knowledge

The student

• is able to use suitable methods for collecting and analyzing information relevant to their project. (i.e. existing products, commercial operators, materials, literature, production facilities etc.)
• is familiar with and understands financial concepts and how methods from the field of marketing can be applied to the product design process
• is familiar with subject specific terminology, theory, research and methods and able to apply appropriate use of these
• is familiar with, and able to account for ethical and legal issues related to professional contexts, such as the marketplace, intellectual property and data protection
• has a basic knowledge of design- and market communication
• is aware of and understands principals of Universal Design, and able to apply this as and when appropriate

Skills

The student is capable of:

• using creativity and innovative thinking to inform their design process and its final outcomes
• analyzing market potential and understanding potential competitors
• devising a project plan and timeline and successfully managing their project
• developing a product with an accompanying brand strategy that suits the product's intended use
• communicating and presenting their project in writing and spoken language
• working independently, making informed decisions with regard to experimentation, materiality, aesthetics, form and function.
• describing and using suitable materials and production methods
• making use of relevant theories, methods and research
• assessing the need for inclusive solutions, Universal Design and/or other adaptations and implementing these as necessary
• referring to persons, sources and references in accordance with academic standards
• contextualizing their work in relation to sustainability issues and in a global societal perspective

Competence

The student:

• can contextualize their work as a designer, and understands how this contributes to societal and sustainability issues
• masters processes and methods for developing experimental and innovative design solutions
• can independently run and manage their own project
• can reflect on their own learning and development and make adjustments in accordance with tutorial feedback

Independent work, individually or in small groups.;

Workshops, lectures, visits to enterprises and supervision linked to a chosen specialisation.;

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• Reflection on learning in the project
• Approved project description (individual or in small groups)

Portfolio assessment subject to the following requirements:

• Documentation of the design process; max 3500 Words
• Product documentation, functional prototype and descriptions

The medium and form depend on the chosen specialisation.

Both parts of the portfolio must be passed (grade E or better) to pass the exam in the course.

The exam result can be appealed.

The course promotes knowledge about design as a professional subject. It comprises two periods, where the first period of about two weeks is a preliminary course focusing on different methods or knowledge related to the profession. The second period lasting the remaining four weeks is a collaboration between the bachelor students on all three years of the programme. The students will be divided into groups across classes. In this period, students will put into practice the theory/subject matter they have learnt from the first period, and the groups will work with an external client and/or on external issues.

The Bachelor’s thesis in Product Design is about demonstrating your knowledge and skills within the field of design, through developing an innovative design project. This might entail creating an aesthetic or commercial product, a concept or service. The project ought to realized as the result of a thorough process of research and experimentation. It must be contextualized in accordance with its intended use, and relative to competitors and the marketplace.

Students are expected to demonstrate an awareness towards all sustainability issues related to their work.

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

Knowledge

The student

• is familiar with identity building (part 1)
• is familiar with theory and practice relating to branding (part 1)
• is familiar with intellectual property rights (part 1)
• is familiar with creative methods for innovation through problem solving and product development (part 2)
• is capable of analysing a business/client
• is familiar with different marketing strategies

Skills

The student is capable of

• using branding and marketing as a basis for a design project (part 1)
• using design sketch techniques as a strategic tool in the design process (part 2)
• coordinating his/her own project with another project group (BAPD3000) (part 2)
• using ideation processes with other involved participants (part 2)
• presenting and arguing for the choices made in the project (part 2)

Competence

The student is capable of

• working on a project
• organising cooperation and sharing responsibility
• handling conflicts that arise during a project
• communication through exchanging points of view and experience and in this way contribute to developing good practice
• reflecting on his/her own development in the learning process and adjusting it under supervision