Integrated Product Design: Research, Theory and Practice (H1031)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

Why is this module interesting/relevant in today’s world?

Today’s world is facing unprecedented changes; the environment, demography, resources and economics. If, on one hand, the world is a better place than fifty years ago, there are challenges for which we do not yet have straight answers. As designers, we need the necessary research tools to face todays and future challenges. Research Methods for Product Design will provide you with the latest research tools in design thinking to empower you to face these challenges.

How will this module benefit you?

As a student, you will think critically about the challenges our world is facing from a designer perspective. You will be able to reflect upon past design philosophies, explore and exercise the most recent tools and strategies, and apply them in student projects.

What is exciting about this module?

We will have the opportunity to collaborate with each other to co-create a better future. You will find and inclusive learning environment where everyone’s participation is welcome regardless of their background. Your participation in this module will contribute to dismantle physical and mental barriers by devising better interactive products.

How does this module relate to career development? How might it be useful to an engineer in their future career?

The tools, strategies and outcomes will help you underpinning your future thinking as a designer and as a citizen of the world. They will guide you throughout your career as a designer and will help thinking inclusively when designing for others.

How does this module relate to the rest of the course? What does it prepare a student for?

To foster the information and skills learned in previous years and in other modules you will work on a dedicated creative interactive project, which will enable you to apply the gained understanding, specify a specific problem and come up with creative design solutions.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2020/21. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.