Course syllabus for Design for experience

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameDesign för användarupplevelse
  • CodePPU181
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPDES
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Design Engineering
  • DepartmentINDUSTRIAL AND MATERIALS SCIENCE
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 16119
  • Maximum participants50
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0119 Examination 4.5 c
Grading: TH
4.5 c
  • Contact examiner
  • Contact examiner
  • Contact examiner
0219 Project 3 c
Grading: UG
3 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

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Aim

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the area of design for experience. The overall objectives are that the participant will develop a basic knowledge of:

- the experiential relation between customer/consumer and product;
- existing theories and models; and
- methods and tools for identifying affective needs and requirements and for evaluating design solutions from an experiential perspective.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

- describe the main characteristics of defined frameworks, models and theories with significance for the experiential relation between consumers/users and products;
- use the frameworks/models/theories to explain empirical data;
- apply the framework/models/theories in product design;
- use terminology correctly, for example define and differentiate between key concepts such as product experience vs user experience (UX); product meaning vs. meaningful product; etc.
- explain the difference between experiencing products, experience through products and experience with products;
- explain the role of the human senses in users' experiences of products;
- explain the role of meaning and meaningfulness in users' experience(s) of, with and through products;
- explain, argue and apply a defined set of methods and tools for identifying users' needs and requirements in relation to experiential aspects;
- explain, argue and apply a defined set of methods and tools for evaluating design solutions from an experience perspective. 

Content

The course is structured in three themes:

I. Understanding experience (UX);
II. Designing (for) experience (UX);
III. Evaluating experience (UX).

In relation to each of these themes, the topics covered more in depth include:
- Theoretical basis/Theoretical frameworks. The course will present some of the most common different frameworks/theories/models with relevance for the area Design for Experience and User Experience (UX). What factors affect UX over time will also be covered.
- Methods and tools. Different methods and tools for eliciting consumers' needs and requirements for experiences, and for evaluating ideas, concepts and product designs will be presented and discussed.
- Design for all senses. The course will discuss the role of human senses in perceived product quality, and the difference between, e.g. instrumental and autotelic information will be clarified. The relation and the difference between a product's objective (technical) properties and the subjective perception and assessment of these properties will also be addressed.
- Design for meaning. The meaning of products, different interpretations of the concept and how it may affect a user's experience of a product will be addressed.
- Emotional experiences. The role of emotions and emotional responses to and the use of products will be covered.

Organisation

The course is given as a series of lectures, exercises/seminars and a project assignment. 

Literature

See course web page.

Examination including compulsory elements

Examination will be based on (1) written exams and (2) a short project assignment. The grades range from Fail, to 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0. 

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.