Design History and Design Theory

What is design?
Design in the 19th century.
Design in the 20th century.
Design, invention and innovation.
Design and mass production.
Form and function in design.
Design and national identity.
Design and globalisation.
Design and consumerism.
Social design.
Sustainable design.
Problems, solutions and the design process.

The course provides the students with an introduction to design history in general -- while emphasising stylistic, technological as well as social aspects of design. The concept of ‘design’ and its contemporary status as activity, product and carrier of meaning is also discussed.

The student will through (yet one more course with) process-oriented essay writing -- based on formative evaluation – in an incremental manner have improved his/her analytical skills, his/her ability for critical reflection, his/her writing skills, his/her ability to locate, gather and synthesise information, his/her ability to critically assess sources and literature, his/her ability to cite and reference sources and literature appropriately, and his/her skills in editorial handling of text.

Writing of two essays with formative-iterative assessment. Excursions to design exhibitions (e.g. in Oslo), if appropriate exhibitions are available during semester time.

No compulsory assignments