STUDY PROGRAMME
Design

AFAM CODE
ABPR15

DISCIPLINARY AREA
Project methodology

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
Project methodology

CREDITS
12

APPROACH
Theoretical/project based

The goal of this course is to provide students with the methodological foundations in the most relevant fields of the social design practice: designing physical objects and communication systems. The students face articulated design briefs that can lead to the development of highly complex projects, provided the necessary skills have been acquired. The course aims at generating the ability to adapt to different project conditions, and to develop a wide repertoire of cultural, theoretical, and technical tools for the project.

The programme grants 12 credits, divided as follows:

• PRODUCT DESIGN: 6 CFA

• COMMUNICATION DESIGN: 6 CFA

Successful students will be able to:

PRODUCT DESIGN:

• Apply conceptual, theoretical and practical tools to the development of projects of different nature

• Adapt a consistent methodological approach to the project’s features and production systems

• Rigorously and mindfully manage formal languages, technologies and marketing models that are specific to different production systems

• Create a professional presentation for their project

COMMUNICATION DESIGN:

• Self-sufficiently develop and carry out communication projects, managing digital tools in relation to different methodological skills in order to portray the project.

• Acquire deep and comprehensive understanding of graphic representation systems

PRODUCT DESIGN:

• Unique object

• Small series

• Industrial design

COMMUNICATION DESIGN:

• Main digital design tools for social design communication projects

• Culture and creative, innovative development of projects

• Basics of copyright and storytelling

This is a theoretical/project based course. Over the course, the students will carry out didactic activities that are functional to achieving the learning goals, that in both modules may include:

• Classroom lectures

• Exercises and revisions

• Field trips, workshops

• Development of individual or group projects

• Individual or group study and research

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools for detailed study

The didactic modules that make the course will be assessed separately. The final grade will result from the weighted average of all marks. Assessment is based on a check of learnt skills and technical abilities, and may include:

• Oral exam

• Papers

• Complete projects

• Assessed revisions or mid-term tests

Further details on specific tests can be provided by the professors during the course. Assessment criteria include commitment, active participation and personal growth of the students during the course.

All bibliographic details will be provided by the professors during the course. A lot of the referenced material, together with other in-depth study material, can be consulted online in MyNaba, in the Library section.