Introduction to Industrial Design / Introduction to Industrial Design

Department of Technology and Innovation, Odense
Teaching activity id: PDXID-U1.
Teaching language: English.ECTS / weighting: 5 ECTS / 0.083 full-time equivalent.
Period: Spring 2015.Approved: 12-10-10.
Offered in: Odense.

Subject director:
Associate Professor Søren Jensen, Institut of Technology and Innovation.

Prerequisites:
None


Content - Key areas:
The course is divided in three categories; Design theory, Design Tools and Design Tasks, all three connected in the course by the development of a Design brief.

Design Theory provides the students with a basic "design language", understanding the idea of design history, a holistic product description, vision based product development and basic shape modeling.

Design Tools are specific tools commonly used by industrial designers. They are introduced to the students and are to be used in a practical design tasks as well.

Design Task. A very basic concept in industrial design is to "do it". Therefore it is also very important that the students try the process themselves in order to understand what it takes to develop and design products, with a holistic approach. This means considering technical, functional and aesthetic aspects all together.

The Design Brief is a commonly used document, in dealing with industrial designers. It describes the necessary details for the designer to work from, in developing a new product. Understanding and being able to use this kind of communication will be an important tool for the students in their future work.
In the course the students will perform a series of individual tasks, which at the end of the course will form or be part of a design brief, developed by the student.


Learning outcomes:
The main goal for the course is to introduce the student to the discipline Industrial Design.

The student should be able to:
- On a multi-structural level to understand basic design theory, e.g. a Vision model, organic versus geometric shaping, important ideas in design history and holistic design.
- On a relational level, to understand and use basic techniques and methods used in the industrial design process, on an individual level as well as in teams. This could be to use a vision model in practice, using mood boards, or visualize a geometric design and explain the benefits in this.
- Develop a design brief and be able to communicate professionally about that with industrial designers
- Understand and use hand made sketching and model making in the development of an aesthetic product design.



Time of classes:
Spring

Lessons:
48

Form of instruction:
A combination of lectures and solving assignments individually as well as in groups.


Examination conditions:
The portfolio consists of the The Design Brief and the assignments. The portfolio must be complete in order to participate in the exam.


Evaluation
Individual oral exam with an internal co-examiner based on a discussion of the portfolio.
Grades in accordance with the Danish 7-point grading scale.


Comments:
Please note that this course is part of the 6th semester of the bachelor of science in engineering program in Product Development and Innovation. The educational concept "The Engineering Education Model of the University of Southern Denmark", which underlies the curriculum for your study program, is structured around the objectives for the study program, the semester and the module. Accordingly, you should, as part of your studies, keep informed on objectives stated in the relevant study level of the curriculum for your study program.

Programmes:
Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Product Development and Innovation)
6. semester, mandatory. Offered in: Odense