STUDY PROGRAMME
Design

AFAM CODE
ABST55

DISCIPLINARY AREA
Cultural Anthropology

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
Cultural Anthropology

CREDITS
6

APPROACH
Theoretical

This course aims at providing elements of anthropological studies applied to design. Anthropology is a very relevant theoretical subject to approach product design or interior design projects. Understanding human behaviours is at the basis of any new project, whether regarding objects, or space and its relation to men.

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

Successful students will be able to:

• Master theoretical, historical and cultural tools which enable them to decode and understand the world of design under an anthropological approach

• Introduction to the history of anthropology

• Anthropology applied to design

• Anthropology of private and public spaces

This is a theoretical/project based course.

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:

• Presentation of research

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

RECOMMENDED:

• Aldersey-Williams, H., Bound, J., Coleman, R., (Eds.) (1999) The Method Lab: User Research for Design, London: ed. DAN Design for Ageing Network, at the Royal College of Art.

• Leonard, D., Rayport, J. (1997) Spark innovation through emphatic design/”Harvard Business Review”, Fascicolo: November-December 1997.

• Low Setha, M., Lawrence-Zuniga, D. (2003) The Anthropology of Space and Place: Locating Culture, ed. Blackwell Pub.

• Margolin, V. (1997) Getting to Know the User/”Design Studies”, ed. Elsevier.

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.