DESN1001 Ideas (6 credits)
This course explores the history of design, through both Eastern and Western industrial revolutions up to the emergence of the knowledge economy and fourth industrial revolution’. It considers key figures in design, science and art, by examining the creative processes that enabled their work. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with the principles of design and understand it through methodology and execution. Students will examine design not as a cohesive or isolated product of any formal school of thought but rather as a complex and contradictory history bound by prevalent theoretical, social, environmental, technological, political and economic considerations. Throughout the course, students will touch upon two key influences in the development of design thinking: changes brought about by technology and received ideas of progress stemming from the utopian legacy of the Enlightenment.
Assessment: 100% continuous coursework assessment
Course Structure
1 | Sep 02 | Introduction to Ideas | Assignment 1 |
2 | Sep 09 | Overview of Design History and key figures. Mindmapping, Bibliography and collaboration tools | Bibliography |
3 | Sep 16 | Key figure 1: arts & crafts. Industrial revolutions | Bibliography + Map |
4 | Sep 23 | Key figures 2, 3: mass production, mass customisation | Bibliography + Map |
5 | Sep 30 | Key figure 4: Enlightenment. Critical design | Mini essay |
Oct 07 | Public Holiday | ||
6 | Oct 21 | Key Figure 5: Design thinking. Human-centered design & Posthumanism. System Design. Complex data visualisation | Map |
7 | Oct 28 | Map of Design Strategies (past), book, exhibition design, website | Exhibition, website |
Nov 2 | Information day (Saturday) Postponed | ||
8 | Nov 04 | Design+ Strategies (Leadership, Improvement from Feedback, Exhibition ) | Map |
9 | Nov 11 | Conscious Design Principles. | Mini essay |
10 | Nov 18 | Presentation, Dress rehearsal | Map, manifesto |
11 | Nov 25 | Final Submission + Exhibition + Presentation | Manifesto, paper |
Concept of the book as a collection of student’s essay collection
Introduction
The study of Design as a discipline is typically done through historical lenses or focused on specific techniques and styles. In the context of design education and practice, it is useful to examine the different strategies available to the designers to convey their ideas, values and affect change in the world.
In the “Case Studies” section, we analyse specific objects, deconstruct their strategies. We map the strategies, making connections, making sense and understanding the underlying forces and principles of design. In the “Strategic Designs”section, we create and experiment with new design strategies with tangible objects.
This document is a tool for designers to understand existing products strategies and create their own.
