Course syllabus - Design and Aesthetics
Scope
7.5 credits
Course code
ITE328
Valid from
Spring semester 2018
Education level
First cycle
Progressive Specialisation
G2F (First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)
Main area(s)
Information Design
School
School of Innovation, Design and Engineering
Ratified
2017-01-31
Literature lists
Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.
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Books
Design: a very short introduction
Available as e-book on MDH-library https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ep.bib.mdh.se/lib/malardalen-ebooks/detail.action?docID=422607
ISBN: 0192854461
Articles
Interaction criticism: An introduction to the practice. Interacting with Computers
Available on MDH-library
URL: Link
The Aesthetic and the Poietic Elements of Information Design
Information Visualization (ed.) Banissi et al., proceedings, Information Visualization Conference IV 2010, 26-29 juli, London.
URL: Link
Visualising Gender Norms in Design: Meet the Mega Hurricane Mixer and the Drill Dolpia
URL: Link
Towards an articulation of interaction aesthetics
URL: Link
Critical design practice: Theoretical perspectives and Methods of engagement
URL: Link
Emotion & design: Attractive Things Work Better
URL: Link
Evaluating Aesthetics in Design: A Phenomenological Approach
URL: Link
New Nordic and Scandinavian Retro: reassessment of values and aesthetics in contemporary Nordic design
URL: Link
Form and Function: A Matter of Perspective
URL: Link
Chairs, Cars, and Bridges: Teaching Aesthetics from the Everyday
URL: Link
Other materials
The problem of content, material, and form in verbal art. Art and Answerability. Early Philosophical Essays, (eds.) Holquist, M, & Liapunov, V. Austin,
Available on Canvas
The Aesthetics of Atmospheres
Excerpts available on Canvas
ISBN: 9781138688506
The observing self: rediscovering the essay
The essay as genre" Available as e-book on MDH-library https://mdh.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/fulldisplay?docid=alma991001146558003211&context=U&vid=46MH_INST:46MH_V1&lang=sv
ISBN: 1315758970
Design poetics, Poetic design: a theory of everyday practice. Diss. Ann Arbor
Excerpt available on Canvas and the dissertation on https://hdl.handle.net/2134/6965
Wabi-sabi for artists, designers, poets & philosophers
Excerpt available on Canvas.
ISBN: 9780981484600
The Nature of Everyday Aesthetics, Aesthetics of everyday life. (eds.) A. Light & J. M. Smith.
Available on Canvas.
Swedish design: an ethnography
Disentangling Swedish Design" Available as e-book on MDH-library. https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ep.bib.mdh.se/lib/malardalen-ebooks/reader.action?docID=3138739&ppg=18
ISBN: 9780801479663
The Moral Dimension of Japanese Aesthetics. Rethinking aesthetics. The role of body in design (ed.) R. Bhatt.
Pp 158-176 Available on Canvas.
In addition to these, short texts may be added to the list during the course
Objectives
The aim of the course is to give students a basic understanding of aesthetics role and importance in terms of both production and reception/use of design.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course the student will:
1. have a basic understanding of key concepts and different theoretical perspectives in aesthetics that are relevant for design processes
2. demonstrate an ability to orally account for a deeper understanding of the role of aesthetics in either the production or the reception and use of design
3. demonstrate an ability in writing to describe and discuss a deeper understanding of the role of aesthetics in either the production or the reception and use of design
Course content
The course contains both historical and contemporary theoretical perspectives and concepts in aesthetics, and offers students opportunities to use these perspectives and concepts in relation to a concrete design process or artefact. Both perspectives and concepts from the production perspective and from reception and use of design will be discussed. In the final project, students choose theoretical perspectives in relation to a on-going or a hypothetical design project.
Specific requirements
Completed courses of at least 60 credits.
Examination
Written assignment (INL1), 2,5 credits, Individual assignment in which the student explains the concepts and theories related to literature, (examines the learning objective 1), Marks Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)
Seminar (SEM1), 2 credits, Oral presentation of a project, in which the student explains a deeper understanding of the role of aesthetics in both the production and the reception of artifacts and/or a processes related to design, (examines the learning objective 2), Marks Fail (U) or Pass (G)
Project (PRO1), 3 credits, A written account of a project, in which the student shows a deeper understanding and have the ability to discuss the role of aesthetics in both the production and the reception of artifacts and/or processes related to design, (examines the learning objective 3), Marks Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)
A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.
Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.
Grade
Three-grade scale