STUDY PROGRAMME
Design

AFAM CODE
ABST48

DISCIPLINARY AREA
History of applied arts

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
History of design

CREDITS
6

APPROACH
Theoretical

The course focuses on the design and manufacture of interactive objects.

The idea of interaction is introduced not only as the link between action and reaction, but also as the outcome of a structured process, marked by rhizomatic and complex relations. Students will learn confrontation and project collaboration. Each group contributes to the design and development of devices, using open hardware such as Arduino, as well as the various environments they can interface with. During the Workshop module they become familiar with the tools and processes of digital fabrication.

The programme grants 8 credits, divided as follows:

• TECHNOLOGY LAB: 4 CFA

• FAB LAB: 4 CFA

Successful students will be able to:

TECHNOLOGY LAB:

• Design and build interactive objects

• Understand basic programming

• Design and develop devices using open hardware such as Arduino

FAB LAB:

• Manage mechanical drawing

• Understand how machines work

• Understand digital fabrication

• Design for laser cutting

TECHNOLOGY LAB:

• Interaction design: theory and historical framework

• Introduction to programming

• Arduino, scope and main functions

• Sensors, actuators and main electronic components

• Integration of electronics in objects

FAB LAB:

• Mechanical drawing

• How machines work

• Introduction to digital fabrication

• Designing for laser cutting

• Designing for 3D printing

• Elements of design for milling

This is a theoretical/project based course.

Students will take part in the following activities, which may vary depending on the development of different projects:

• Classroom lectures

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools

• Exercises and revisions

• Workshops

• Individual or group projects

• Individual or group study and research

Assessment tools may include:

• Oral exams

• Exercises or projects

• Completion of comprehensive projects

• Submission of exercises, projects or research works

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

The final grade will result from the weighted average of the programme modules.

• Dunne, A., Raby, F. (2001) Design Noir: The secret life of Electronic Objects, Birkhauser.

• Fuller, M. (2003) Behind the bleep, NY: Autonomedia.

• Greenberg, I., Processing: Creative Coding and Computational Art, Friends of Ed.1.

• Maeda, J. (2001) Design by Numbers, The MIT Press.

• Maeda, J. (2004) Creative code: Aesthetics + Computation by John Maeda, Thames & Hudson.

• Transnational College of Lex (2012) Who is Fourier?

• Wardrip-Fruin, N., Montfort, N. (2003) The new media reader, MIT Press.

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

Books and resources might be requested or suggested by the professors.