IDG4110 – Introduction to Design, Technology and Society

Course content

This is the master's programme's introductory subject which will give the interdisciplinary student group at MDTS basic knowledge about design, technology and societal changes:

Wicked problems in society:

Investigate deep-rooted societal challenges such as sustainability, inequality and digital transformation, and understand how design and technology can address them. 

Design as a problem solver:

Engage with design methodologies (eg, user-centered design, systems thinking) to navigate ambiguity and create solutions that are human-centered and service-oriented. 

Technology for change:

Exploring the role of new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and mobile/social technologies to create social and economic improvements.

The first part of the course will largely be about building basic knowledge about the programme's three focus areas. The last part of the course will be an individual analytical written work where students will analyze a self-selected problem and propose solutions.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures 
• Self-study of the syllabus and electronic teaching aids 
• Collection-based discussions/seminar 
• Fellow student evaluation 

Evaluation

The course is a case-based course where the students write a short individual project report that summarizes the literature in the course and summarizes their own thoughts on how new solutions can be created in the intersection between the programme's three academic focus areas. The answer will be given a letter grade from A-F.

The course also contains three smaller compulsory written exercises that prepare the student for the final report.

Mandatory:

• Three (3) individual submissions.
• At least 80% attendance at compulsory meetings.

Also note:

Some of the teaching may be given in English.

The student can choose between Norwegian and English as the written language in the submissions.

Students who wish to improve their grade in the course must retake the course again.

Re-take of exam:

If failed,  you are allowed to submit a new or revised exam next semester.

For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken.

Recommended prerequisites

None 

Required previous knowledge

There are no prior knowledge requirements in the subject, apart from admission to Design of services, technology and interaction (MDTS).

Course materials

Course material can be adjusted up until the start of the course and will be available at the start of the course.

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IDG4120 – Research Methods

Course content

The course introduces master students to scientific thinking, methods and practices relevant for the field of design.

Topics covered are:

• Introduction to the theory of science and its language
• Different approaches to design research
• Basic quantitative research and data analyses
• Basic qualitative research and data analyses
• Tools and practices in scientific communication
• Literature studies
• Research ethics

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The student

• has a good knowledge of key questions in scientific theory
• can explain central terminology for scientific work
• can explain channels and strategies for scientific communication
• can explain different approaches to design research

Skills:

The student

• can formulate and explain research topics based on scientific principles
• can plan a design research project and choose appropriate methods
• can search for academic publications using central databases
• can account for and act in accordance with principles for ethical research

General knowledge and competence:

The student

• have competence to read and analyze scientific publications
• is able to report results from scientific projects, including projects carried out by the student
• have developed a clear ethical attitude to how scientific methodology is used

Learning methods and activities

This course is offered to international master students. Language of instruction is English.

• Lectures
• E-Learning
• Project work
• Essay
• Tutoring

Additional information:

The course will be offered flexibly to students on and off campus. Lecture notes, e-lectures and other types of e-learning material will be offered through our learning management system (LMS). Communication between the teachers and the students, and among the students, will be facilitated by the LMS. The course will be made available to both campus and distance students.  

Further on evaluation

Compulsory requirements:

• Essay(s)
• Participation and reporting of project work

Mandatory submissions must be passed in order to do the exam.

The students are graded (A-F) based on a school exam.

Re-sit of exam:

Ordinary re-sit examination for the written exam in August.

For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken.

Recommended prerequisites

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

None

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IDG4130 – Design for Change 1

Course content

This course aims to develop the candidates' knowledge, skills and personal commitment to address societal challenges through design. It explores how design as a tool for change can contribute to positive change within services, technology and interaction. The candidate learns to apply service design methods and tools to create innovative, sustainable change proposals locally, and explores complex issues such as climate change, social inequality and technological upheaval.

The subject is the first part in the subject series "Design for change". In this section, we focus on how the designer can contribute to changes at a micro level, particularly related to behavioral change among different user groups. The subject deals with ethical dilemmas and assessments, accounts for power relations and agency in designers and target groups for design interventions. In the course, students learn about user participation and co-design in change processes at the micro level.

The candidates will first get an introduction to relevant concepts and theories within design for change, and then work on an interdisciplinary project that explores change in practice.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

• Knowledge of ethical assessments for designers
• In-depth knowledge of principles for inclusive design
• Good knowledge of change using design
• Basic knowledge of design for behavior change at the individual levelIn-depth knowledge of design methods with a particular focus on service and interaction design for change at the individual level (micro)
• Knowledge of positive and negative consequences of change and disruption at individual level

Skills

• Skills in including ethical considerations in design processes.
• Skills in designing for behavior change at the individual level.
• Skills in applying service and interaction design methods in human-centered design processes for behavior change(s).
• Skills in contributing to actionable sustainable solutions through design.

General competence

• Competence in facilitating design-driven change processes.
• Competence in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Competence in taking care of different roles in collaborative processes.
• Competence in theory acquisition and application in design processes.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures, exercises, seminars and assignments.
• Three physical gatherings in the semester, the rest are digital lectures, collaboration and e-learning material available in NTNU's learning system (LMS).
• There is a requirement for at least 80% attendance at mandatory gatherings in the programme

Teaching takes place mainly in Norwegian, but students can expect English curriculum literature and English-language teaching contributions.

Further on evaluation

Assessment

• Individual reflection report 10%
• Group-based design project with report as deliverable 60%
• Oral presentation of design project 30%

All deliveries must be passed in order to be graded in the course

Compulsory activities

• Seminar presentations
• Written submissions

There is a requirement for at least 80% attendance at compulsory meetings in the programme.

Re-take of exam

• If failed, you are allowed to submit a new or revised exam next semester
• For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken

Recommended prerequisites

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

None

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IDG4140 – Design for Change 2

Course content

This course aims to develop the candidates' knowledge, skills and personal commitment to address societal challenges through design. It explores how design as a tool for change can contribute to positive change within services, technology and interaction.

The candidate learns to apply service design methods and tools to create innovative, sustainable change proposals locally, and explores complex issues such as climate change, social inequality and technological upheaval.

The course is the second part of the course series "Design for change". In this section, we focus on how the designer can contribute to changes at the meso- and macro-level, particularly related to service and system design.

The subject considers how design can contribute to and be used to understand, analyze and change services and systems, and how design is suitable for working with connections between different elements in a system and relationships between people who use or are affected by services and systems.

In the course, students learn about involvement and co-creation in change processes at the meso- and macro-level.

The candidates will first get an introduction to relevant concepts and theories within design for change and then work on an interdisciplinary project that explores change in practice.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

• Good knowledge of design in services from different perspectives (user, owner, business).
• Good knowledge of design methods with a particular focus on service and system design for change at service and system level (here understood as meso and macro level).
• Have knowledge of principles in service design and how designers can facilitate and design based on these.
• Knowledge of positive and negative consequences of change and disruption at service and system level.
• Understand framework conditions in a given system and the consequences this has for various service deliveries.
• Have basic knowledge of various systems that set frameworks and conditions for service development (political, organizational, technical, social and legal systems) and how a designer can both work within the framework and challenge the framework conditions.
• The candidate can explain design methodology and frameworks that can be used in the development of sustainable solutions in complex and intractable/entangled problems.

Skills:

• Experience in creating different ideas about the future and what it can hold. Furthermore, become familiar with related techniques such as backcasting and foresight methods.
• Experience in using tools within service and system design.
• Be able to make design choices with a background in critical reflection around design methodology and frameworks.
• The candidate has expanded understanding and ability to develop sustainable services that benefit relevant stakeholders and society.

General competence:

• Expertise in facilitating design-driven change processes.
• Expertise in interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Competence in taking into account different roles in collaborative processes.
• Competence in theoretical understanding and application in design processes.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures
• Exercises
• Seminars
• Assignments

Three physical gatherings in the semester, the rest are digital lectures, collaboration and e-learning material available in NTNU's learning system (LMS).

There is a requirement for at least 80% attendance at mandatory gatherings in the programme.

Teaching takes place mainly in Norwegian, but students can expect English curriculum literature and English-language teaching contributions.

Further on evaluation

Assessment:

• Individual reflection report 10%
• Group-based design project with report as deliverable 60%
• Oral presentation of design project 30%

All deliveries must be passed in order to be graded in the course.

Compulsory activities:

• Seminar presentations
• Written submissions

There is a requirement for at least 80% attendance at compulsory meetings in the programme.

Re-take of exam:

If failed, you are allowed to submit a new or revised exam next semester.

For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken.

Recommended prerequisites

None

Required previous knowledge

To take this course, IDG4110 and IDG4130 must be passed.

Course materials

A compendium will be compiled at start-up.

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IDG4210 – Design for Technology in Transition

Course content

In a world characterized by constant change, this course will explore the interaction between design and technology.

The course examines how designers can adapt, anticipate and even shape technological developments to create solutions that are both functional, ethical and sustainable.

The course emphasizes design processes that are flexible, iterative and adapted to a constantly changing technological landscape. Furthermore, it considers how new technology can be used in a responsible and user-centred way. 

Students will gain insight into case studies and challenges where technological changes and innovations are drivers of the design process.

The course provides insight into how different technologies can influence design decisions and how designers can use these technologies to create innovative user experiences.

Students will delve into at least one type of technology during their studies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR), mobile and social media and web technologies. 

Learning outcome

After completing the course, students should be able to: 

• Understand the role of technology in design processes: Know the most important technological trends and understand how these affect the design of services and systems.
• Analyze technological changes: Assess how new technologies can change solutions to user needs, societal structures and business models, and how design can influence these changes.
• Implement user-centered design processes: Use design methods that are flexible enough to handle uncertainty and changes in technology, while putting the user's needs at the center.
• Experimenting with new technology: Carrying out testing of technological solutions that make use of ground-breaking technology.
• Critical reflection on the implications of technology: Identify social, ethical and legal dilemmas that may arise from the use of technology in design, and develop strategies to meet these challenges.

Learning methods and activities

The teaching will consist of lectures, seminars, group work and practical exercises where the students will have the opportunity to experiment with design processes that incorporate new technology.

Through work with case studies and project assignments, students will develop skills in interdisciplinary collaboration, problem solving and creative thinking. 

This course is offered to international master students. Language of instruction is English. 

Further on evaluation

The assessment in this course consists of a combination of project report (50% of the final grade) and oral group project presentation (20% of the final grade). In addition, there will be an oral exam (30% of the final grade) in which the students reflect upon the design processes and technological choices made during the course.

If failed,  you are allowed to submit a new or revised project next semester.

For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken.

Individual oral exam has a resit exam in the following semester.

Recommended prerequisites

None.

Required previous knowledge

IDG4110 Introduction to Design, Technology and Society.

Course materials

 

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IDG4220 – In-depth Project in Research Groups

Course content

The aim of the course is to give the student knowledge and competence in applied design research.

The Department of Design has various research groups, strategic areas and labs, which define the academic framework within which the students will carry out their research projects.

Through belonging to the Institute's research areas, the student gets to experience in practice how a design researcher works, and it also opens up access to the academic staff's current research projects.

During the course, the student will develop and implement a longer, independent design project. The scope and content of the design project will be clarified with a supervisor.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The candidate

• acquires up-to-date knowledge within the focus area the candidate chooses to delve into.
• gain knowledge of various applied methods and theory within the chosen area, and how this can be applied in a design research project.
• gain knowledge of what design research is in practice.
• gain knowledge of presenting design research to a research audience.

Skills:

The candidate

• through design research in practice have practiced their abilities within various research methods, such as professional debate, peer review, research production, writing, artistic development and discussion of ethical and technological dilemmas.
• through an independent project within a chosen focus area, have practiced the ability to discuss how theory and method are created and applied, as well as to reflect on own results and conclusions.
• can develop and implement a longer, independent design project.
• document and communicate the results of the project work in a systematic and scientific way.

General competence:

The candidate

• can write a scientific text related to design research.
• can organize and carry out a project independently and can organize guidance from relevant subject teachers as needed.
• gain experience in experiencing opportunities as well as challenges related to free choice of topic and finding focus in the chosen project. Through this experience, the candidate should be better prepared for the master's thesis.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures and seminars
• Guidance

This course is offered to international master students. Language of instruction is English.

Further on evaluation

Compulsory activities:

There are 3 mandatory work requirements.

All mandatory work requirements must be approved to deliver the design project.

Re-take of exam:

If failed, you are allowed to submit a new or revised exam next semester.

For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken.

Recommended prerequisites

Students taking the course should have completed at least 60 credits of courses in design.

Required previous knowledge

Admission to study program required:

• Industrial design (MTDESIG) or
• Design of services, technology and interaction (MDTS)

Course materials

Course material will be defined individually in collaboration with the supervisor.

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IDG4230 – Design Management 

Course content

Design management is a course that combines strategic thinking and design. In an age where innovation is crucial for competitive advantage, managing design processes is becoming increasingly important to navigate this landscape.

Businesses that master design management can better adapt to changes in the market, create meaningful user experiences and develop services that create value.

The course provides in-depth knowledge in leading design processes and navigating design work in and with companies' strategies for creating and benefiting from value-creating products and services.

In addition to a theoretical framework, the course will give students the opportunity to learn from real, industry issues and case studies to understand the practical aspects of design management.

The students will also carry out a practical project based on their upcoming master's project.

The subject will, among other things, deal with:

• Design management 
• Design strategy 
• Management of design capital 
• Anchoring, involvement and co-creation of design work 
• Framework for understanding business strategies in public and private enterprise 

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The student will

• have specialized knowledge of design management in public and private enterprises• have advanced knowledge of how design contributes to value creation.
• know the basic framework for validation, prioritization and decision-making in strategic design.
• be able to analyze business-related issues.
• be able to understand how to manage design capital and intangible assets.
• know project management when purchasing design services from design providers internally and externally.
• be able to independently discuss how design can lead to and be led to change.

Skills:

The student will be able to

• lead design processes that fulfill or challenge the company's business area.
• facilitate the anchoring, involvement and co-creation of key stakeholders within own design project.
• apply central methods associated with design management.
• independently define and pinpoint problem areas in line with a company's strategy.
• independently communicate design work to internal and external stakeholders.
• validate the problem with the problem owner and users.

General competence:

• The student will be able to... 
• communicate design work to the general public and colleagues 
• use central subject terminology 
• anchor, prioritize and make decisions based on design work 
• independently define and point out a problem from a problem area  

Learning methods and activities

• Digital lectures
• E-learning resources
• Independent project work under supervision

Further on evaluation

2 compulsory activities.

Both must be passed to get a grade in the course

Re-take of exam:

If failed,  you are allowed to submit a new or revised exam next semester.

For voluntary course retake to improve grade, all assessments in the course must be retaken.

Recommended prerequisites

None

Required previous knowledge

None

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IDG420 – Master’s thesis full time

Course content

This course is used in its entirety for the master's project for full time students. This involves research work, guidance, thesis writing and finally an oral presentation.

The student must choose a specific problem of relevance for the master's study. The topic must represent a challenge within the specific area and must require the student to follow practices that are common within the area. The topic must be approved in advance by the supervisor. 

Learning outcome

Students will complete a master’s thesis within the field.

Knowledge:

Use scientific and professional design methods in the process of an independent work in the field.

Skills:

Students will be able to prepare a project plan with milestones, reporting partial results and write a thesis in accordance with established standards.

General competence:

Documented scientific and professional qualifications through completion of a master’s thesis in the field.

Learning methods and activities

Independent project work under supervision.

Compulsory requirements:

Master’s thesis agreement, signed by the student and the supervisor.

The student must participate in supervision with the assigned supervisor.

The student must continuously be able to present project status to the supervisor and demonstrate that the project can be completed according to the current project plan or, alternatively, adjust the plan accordingly to ensure a successful outcome.

Compulsory participation and/or presentations digital or physical presence  in 1. Start-up seminar, 2. 1/3 seminar, and 2/3 seminar.

Further on evaluation

Forms of assessment:

• Master’s thesis
• Oral examination

The project report is given a temporary grade. Individual oral examination/presentation may adjust the grade up or down to the final grade, according to performance. Students must obtain a passing grade on the report to be able to present themselves for the oral examination/presentation.

Compulsory participation and/or presentations in 1. Start-up seminar, 2. 1/3 seminar, and 2/3 seminar.

Students must pass all compulsory course requirements to be eligible for the exam.

The oral examination takes place in Gjøvik.

Re-take of exam:

If failed,  you are allowed to submit a new or revised thesis once,  at the next ordinary completion of the course.

Recommended prerequisites

None 

Required previous knowledge

Admission to the study programme Design of services, technology and interaction (MDTS) is required.

The main rule is that all required courses must be passed. The faculty may accept that a maximum of two courses of 7.5 ECTS may remain. The prerequisite is that the remaining courses are not considered essential for the completion of the master's thesis.

Course materials

To be developed together with the supervisor as a part of the thesis work.

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IDG4250 – Master's thesis part time

Course content

This course is used in its entirety for the master's project for part time students. This involves research work, guidance, thesis writing and finally an oral presentation.

The student must choose a specific problem of relevance for the master's study. The topic must represent a challenge within the specific area and must require the student to follow practices that are common within the area. The topic must be approved in advance by the supervisor.

Learning outcome

Students will complete a master’s thesis within the design field.

Knowledge:

Use scientific and professional design methods in the process of an independent work in the field.

Skills:

Students will be able to prepare a project plan with milestones, reporting partial results and write a thesis in accordance with established standards.

General competence:

Documented scientific and professional qualifications through completion of a master thesis in the field.

Learning methods and activities

Independent project work under supervision.

Compulsory requirements:

Master’s thesis agreement, signed by the student and the supervisor.

The student must participate in supervision with the assigned supervisor.

The student must continuously be able to present project status to the supervisor and demonstrate that the project can be completed according to the current project plan or, alternatively, adjust the plan accordingly to ensure a successful outcome. 

Compulsory participation and/or presentations digital or physical presence  in 1. Start-up seminar, 2. 1/3 seminar, and 2/3 seminar. 

Further on evaluation

Forms of assessment:

• Master’s thesis
• Oral examination

The project report is given a temporary grade. Individual oral examination/presentation may adjust the grade up or down to the final grade, according to performance. Students must obtain a passing grade on the report to be able to present themselves for the oral examination/presentation.

Compulsory participation and/or presentations in 1. Start-up seminar, 2. 1/3 seminar, and 2/3 seminar.

Students must pass all compulsory course requirements to be eligible for the exam.

The oral examination takes place in Gjøvik.

Re-take of exam:

If failed,  you are allowed to submit a new or revised thesis once, at the next ordinary completion of the course.

Recommended prerequisites

None

Required previous knowledge

Admission to the study programme Design of services, technology and interaction (MDTS) is required.

The main rule is that all required courses must be passed. The faculty may accept that a maximum of two courses of 7.5 ECTS may remain. The prerequisite is that the remaining courses are not considered essential for the completion of the master's thesis.

Course materials

To be developed together with the supervisor as a part of the thesis work.