FAD3102 Concepts, Theories and Experimental Practices in Art, Technology and Design 7.5 credits

The course provides an orientation in practice-based research and artistic research, research by design, and aspects of science and technology studies. The focus lies on emerging, experimental, critical and curiosity-driven research with an emphasis on concrete materialisations in arts, crafts, technology and design. Besides literature studies, the course draws on presentations by researching practitioners, and on completed doctoral dissertations in artistic and design research, to advance in-depth understandings of precedent methods of investigation and different modes of presentation of findings that are of particular interest to the profile of the subject area. This entails innovative and trans-disciplinary practices that challenge conventions within established knowledge areas, and that combine making with advanced epistemological and methodological perspectives, in view of rethinking social challenges and axiomatic relations. A particular emphasis is placed on different forms of academic writing, allowing students from various backgrounds to improve on their writing skills. On completion of the course, the student will be able to reflect on his/her own position in relation to precedent and current forms of artistic research, research by design, and experiments in academic writing.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to account for ‘making’ practices and concrete materialisation as means of producing, representing and disseminating knowledge; demonstrate an ability to identify and critically discuss transdisciplinary concepts and theories in art, technology and design; account for exemplary emerging creative practices with especial reference to his/her own doctoral project; produce a piece of academic writing suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal or platform within a relevant area; orient and critically reflect over his/her own research practice in relation to precedent and emerging fields of artistic research, research by design and design research.

To be eligible for the course, students must have completed a masters’ degree or have an equivalent level of education in technology, art or design (such as architecture, planning, civil engineering, design, arts and crafts, or fine arts) or affiliated subjects within the humanities and social sciences. The course requires a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 25 students to be held.

To be confirmed by the teacher at the course start

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• DEL1 - Participation, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• INL1 - Homework, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• UPP1 - Written report, 2.5 credits, grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The course is examined in two parts:

- Participation in seminars, presentations and/or workshops, including assignments (5 credits)

- Hand-in of final paper of a satisfactory quality and participation in the final review/workshop (2,5 credits)

Katja Tollmar Grillner

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The course is mandatory for research candidates in the programme Art, Technology and Design.