MAPD4620 Product Design in Cultural Context Course description

Creativity is a key skill in the 21st century. In this course, students will develop their creativity and communication skills by working on product innovation for specific cultural contexts. The concept of ‘design culture’ is introduced to connect design history with today's society. Students will also explore materials through aesthetic, practice-based research methods, including artistic research and craft science.

Students will work creatively to produce original, high-quality results for a market. They will learn to adapt and contextualise products to support cultural sustainability. The course also builds understanding of the market, helping students analyse products and focus on sustainable solutions. This course explores design as a multifaceted form of expression, where students will combine visual, material and verbal tools to engage stakeholders and meet user needs. It also focuses on market dynamics and sustainable innovation. Additionally, the course encourages critical reflection through in-depth discussions on relevant theories and strategies.

Language of Instruction: English

After completing the course, the students are expected to achieve an advanced level in the following areas of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has:

• attained knowledge in product design within the concept of design culture, as a bridge between design history and todays’ society
• in-depth knowledge of aesthetic theories and methods, involving form, colour, materiality and semantics in product design
• gained knowledge of creativity and strategies for developing innovative products
• understanding of how to position products in the market, including designing for different price ranges, from affordable to high-end
• knowledge of basic principles in IP-law related to design

Skills

The student can:

• develop a series of prototypes/products and associated accessories for a certain market and cultural context
• actively communicate and analyse aesthetic features (form, colour and material applications) and function/use of products, using relevant terminology and visual principles and strategies
• attain knowledge of methods for testing a product’s functionality or use for relevant context(s)
• use branding strategies to create good stories around their products or a socially relevant context
• apply reflexivity and critical thinking to question and challenge established perspectives and norms within the field
• present and exhibit their own research using relevant media and tools

General Competence

The student has developed an understanding of:

• the relevance of cultural values and meanings and their impact on design
• the responsibility for development of design in a culturally sustainable context

• product innovation in and for a cultural context

• branding and communication methods and strategies for creative, analytical and reflexive design processes

• critical reflection related to the theme and own professional work

• pitching your own design research project in the context of the course

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are lectures, workshops, self-studies, discussions, presentations and guidance.

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

• one oral presentation of theoretical approach to chosen problem field

• visual design pitch, with a defined research aim (optional; a concise and integrated text)

• presentation of the final project (free choice of media)

Individual or group portfolio examination. The portfolio consists of:

• Poster: Visual presentation of the solution (a series of products) within the chosen cultural context, with optional short text
• Product solution: A series of products or prototypes, with models to communicate the material-based process (optional media)
• Reflexive design proposal: Research-based written text or optional media

Group size: Max 3 students

The examination result can be appealed

No restrictions on examination resources.

All resources are permitted as long as the rules for source referencing are followed. The student is required to indicate if and how AI has been used to answer the exam.

Scale A-F.

Two internal. External examiner is used periodically.