STUDY PROGRAMME
Design

AFAM CODE
ABST48

DISCIPLINARY AREA
History of applied arts

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
History of design

CREDITS
6

APPROACH
Theoretical

With the division of the Design courses in two parts (History of Design 1 and 2), the first course is intended as a general introduction to design-related themes through a wide and multidisciplinary historical perspective. By opening the scope of the design phenomenon from it traditional 19th and 20th century background to a more complex and transversal understanding of decorative arts in their whole, from their Greek and Roman roots onwards, a close and continuous comparison with major arts becomes possible, in particular with painting and architecture. This gives the students at NABA a stronger and more definite mark to their theoretical studies. Aesthetics, language, culture, design technique and terminology will be an addition to a study path that will take its moves from the ancient sources, to then focus on the themes found between the industrial revolution and the second world war - the finishing point of the first programme.

The programme consists of one single module, which grants 6 CFA credits.

Successful students will be able to:

• Improve their critical-analytical skills

• Use appropriate tools for historical research

• Evolutional profile of the history of design from the ancient times to 1945

• Analysis of the post-industrial revolution debate, with a focus on the relation between handcraft and automated serial manufacture

• Focus on the protagonists, schools and trends that, since the half of the 19th century, have been contributing to a re-definition of the disciplinary status of design

The programme focuses on theoretical courses.

Students will take part in the following activities, which may vary depending on the different topics covered:

• Classroom lectures

• Debates, presentations, peer assessment

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools

• Exercises and revisions

• Individual study and research

Assessment tools may include:

• Written exams

• Submission of exercises, projects or research works

• Oral exams

Further details about the exams will be provided by the professors.

RECOMMENDED:

• Fiell, C. & P. (2013) The Story of Design, London: Goodman Fiell.

• Sudjic, D., The Language of Things, WW Norton & Co.

Many of the recommended sources, together with additional material, are also available online on MyNaba, in the Library section.

More books and resources might be requested or suggested by the professors.