Course syllabus for Design theory and research

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The aim of the course is that the student should develop further knowledge of the theories, processes and methods that characterize product development work, as well as prepare the student for assimilating design science literature and research in future studies and work life.

• differentiate between different research approaches; specifically, research for, research on and research through design and product development
• reflect upon current research on the themes and topics addressed in the course 
• compare theories on design and product development work to own empirical findings, and to own and others practice
• critically review and extract relevant information from academic papers
• produce an academic paper comprising the relevant basic components 
• discuss similarities and differences between different processes in of design and product development
• discuss the preconditions produced by the organisation, for different types of design and product development work
• discuss which abilities and competencies that characterise design and product development work, as well as make the most of them
• reflect upon the role(s) of the individual in design and product development; including the roles in relation to sustainability and ethical aspects
• reflect on the problems and opportunities associated with collaboration and teamwork in product development work, especially in cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural product development work
  
• outline strategies for creating an inclusive and gender-equal work environment in diverse project teams, organisations and stakeholder collaborations

The content of the course encompasses the following topics:

• the individual designer: the creative individual; the designer's different types of knowledge, skills and responsibilities; 
• the team, cross-disciplinary collaboration, cross-cultural collaboration, creativity in teams; 
• the organization, orientations in product development, organizational prerequisites for creativity; 
• research approaches in design and product development; past and current themes in design research;
• academic literacy, writing academic texts

The course is organized as a series of lectures, seminars and exercises/assignments.

The literature will consist of academic papers (see course home page).

Examination of the course is based on compulsory participation in seminars and the completion of exercises and oral and written assignments. Participation in seminars is compulsory, if a student is not present a replacement assignment must be completed. Assignments are graded according to a grading rubric, where each criteria is graded F(ail), 3, 4, or 5. The final grade (F(ail), 3, 4 or 5) will be based on a weighted average of the results of the assignments.