Design 6 - Futures

Design 6 builds on the knowledge and skills gained in previous design courses and gives students experience with an independent, large-scale project. Students work with a curiosity-driven and exploratory approach, developing knowledge that can serve as a catalyst for sustainable development. The student defines tasks and deliverables in consultation with external partners, which may include companies, research projects, or organizations (public, municipal, or non-profit). The course integrates practical design work with reflection on theory, frameworks, and methodology, as well as the role of design in society and the future. Particular emphasis is placed on design practice and how designers can act as agents of change when facing challenges that require new solutions. The work is carried out in groups based on a chosen project theme, and students document both their process and reflections throughout.

Teaching will include various learning activities such as lectures, workshops, and project work.Topics covered include project planning, effective teamwork, and experiences collaborating with organizations. The role of design in society, the designer’s mindset, and professional practice will also be addressed.In this course, students are encouraged to work in an exploratory and curiosity-driven way. The work will primarily be group-based around a concrete project, and students will receive supervision throughout the semester.

Knowledge:

After completing the course, the student shall:

• Have knowledge of how design processes reflect perspectives on the designer’s role and working methods, and how these can be used to explore and formulate future scenarios, needs, and solutions.
• Be familiar with key concepts and perspectives within theories of design thinking and practice.
• Understand the role of design in society and how design can contribute to critical and sustainable development, design-driven innovation, and act as an agent of change within organizations and society.

Skills:

After completing the course, the student shall be able to:

• Plan and carry out a group design project, from curiosity and inquiry to final project delivery.
• Document their process in a workbook that demonstrates visual thinking and reflection in action.
• Plan and coordinate effective teamwork.
• Analyze and communicate connections between theory and practice through reflective assignments.
• Collaborate across disciplines and manage complex design processes with responsibility for quality and progress.

General competence:

The student shall be able to:

• Critically reflect on their own design work and the social significance of the design field.
• Communicate design work at a professional level, both visually and verbally.
• Contribute to the development of design practice with an awareness of the present and future, and of ethics in design.

The course consists of:

• Project work
• Lectures, seminars, and workshops
• Peer review and supervision
• Submission of written assignments throughout the course