Course Purpose and Objectives

The course aims to help students gain a deeper understanding of the theory of creative design as a problem-solving activity in specific environments. The course covers the field of creative design and methodologies as a framework that integrates theoretical concepts from different areas, which contribute to the design process, contributing thereby to improved design quality of the final product. The course explores how designers conduct research to produce relevant and essential products/services that are suited to specific groups, cultures, and environments. Students will become familiar with the implementation of a series of methods through fieldwork in everyday design practice. Methodologies include the development and use of ethnographic strategies, personas, interviews, and repetitive design processes. Students work in groups or individually, applying theory to practice, strengths being the cooperative design practice.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Determine the general concepts and issues covering creativity and innovation approaches focusing on the users and their relationships.

Apply a variety of design research methods and employ specific ethnographic research methods to develop design projects/products.

Produce design practical strategies for prototyping, testing, and implementation, but also experimental on-the-spot research that includes qualitative, quantitative, exploratory, experiential methods of research and expression.