After successful completion of the course, students are able to adopt and apply suitable theoretical reference frameworks and methodological approaches for future research and projects based on the acquired overview of the state of research and discourse, methods and theories of design and design research.
Introduction to the research area of design studies, design research as well as theories and history of design. Designing is presented in its complexity, transdisciplinarity and multimodality in the area of tension between, art, technology and science, between theory and practice.
- Schedule and dates will be discussed in the introductory lecture on March 1st 2022 at 4 p.m.
- Continious dates (in total 10 Q/A sections and 1 presentation of the group work) Tuesdays 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
- Communication, provision of literature and slides etc. via Tuwel.
The historical development, terminology, different approaches and fields of design research and their relation to science are presented and elaborated according to different models and disciplines creating process plans, develop methods and produce findings.
Rationalistic approaches of the early design research methodology, developments towards more implicit experience and skills of designers and design research based on social and cultural science approaches are presented and examined. Attempts at structuring, procedural models, positions as well as contextual factors, layout of different anatomies, origins and perspectives are examined, reflected and discussed in more detail using literature from various authors in the heterogeneous research field.
Concepts (such as contexts, frames, Gestalt, tacit knowing, etc.) for analysis and description of design processes, in particular the analysis of the role of representations, media and design tools (such as sketches, drawings, prototypes) are presented. Approaches, theoretical concepts as well as research results are illustrated on the basis of data taken from research projects and case studies of design processes in practice.
By means of group work students will user their theoretical knowledge in practice.
Due to the infection numbers in the Covid-19 pandemic, it may lead to changes in this course. This might result in this course being switched to online mode, e.g., the lectures might then be held online.
