Design for Sustainable Behaviour

This course replaces the former TPD5100 Sustainable Design course, and is now an elective course that aims to provide a specialisation within the topic of Design for Sustainable Behaviour. Students obtain an understanding of theories and concepts related to Design for Sustainable Behaviour, which include elements of user centred design, practice theory and behavioural psychology.

The course is research based as this field has been extensively researched at the department. The course is also research oriented: Students are expected to research user practices and behaviour in relation to products, services and systems, aimed at finding solutions that stimulate sustainable behaviour and practices, and/or avoiding unsustainable ones.

The course focuses on providing students with design research experience rather than practical design experience. It focuses on the stages from problem finding to conceptualisation of design interventions.

Knowledge: Student has gained expert knowledge on theories, tools and on examples on design for sustainable behaviour.

Skills:
The student is able to share an expert view on how designers may influence user behaviour through design of products, services and systems.

The student has experience with choice and execution of a variety of user centred methods such as interviews, probes, diaries, video studies, applied ethnography and/or contextual inquiry.

The student has gained skills and experience in execution and documentation of a research project, and is able to deliver a research based justification of a design brief, requirements, concept development and concept choice.

The course will be based on a series of lectures, including guest lectures.

Students will carry out one group assignment throughout the semester in groups of 3 or 4 students. The assignment will result in a project report that documents problem finding, literature search, user studies, requirement specifications and conceptualisation.

Groups have regular supervision meetings with the teacher. There will be plenary progress presentations for each group.