MF2112 Advanced Product Design 12.0 credits
This course is a combination of four course elements, all tied together by an overarching design project. Each student will in the end make an individual design of a product, but this design will be informed by several other investigations made in groups of various constellations. The four course elements are; 1) Human Centred Design, 2) Research Seminars, 3) Branding and 4) Individual Design Project.
The product design project are different each year, we alternate between children products, carpenting tools, cooking equipment and gardening tools. An extra dimension is given by the products being provided as a service instead of individually owned products.
In the human centred design module you will make a deep investigation of the usability aspects of the product, as well as the context of use. In the brand module you will go deep into your brand to understand the DNA of the brand and create a brand platform that will guide you in the individual design work.
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Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
The course is mainly directed towards training of different skills in product design.
The content revolves around an individual design project where the background studies are carried out in groups. In the project, the different parts should then be balanced and shaped to a whole.
The sustainability aspect is included, as the product is designed to function in a product-service system in a circular economy.
Furthermore, current research in the field of industrial design is discussed in seminars.
In the first item of the course, different methods and tools in user-centred design are trained. Here, the user's needs are investigated, regarding ergonomics, handling and functionality, through several different supplementary methods.
The next item deal with the importance of the trademark, strategies around development of trademarks and how it influences the design of products and services.
In the final item, the parts are put together in an individual project where a product is designed and visualised with regard to both the user studies and the trademark development.
The course is carried out in project form, which is a practical item that requires attendance and active commitment of the students and including interaction with the teachers through supervision.
Intended learning outcomes
After passing the course, the students should be able to:
- Plan and carry out a study in Human Centered Design (HCD), analyse the result and create understanding that is relevant for the design of products and services.
- Describe and reflect on current theories, methods and procedures in HCD, branding and design research and relate these to your project.
- Analyse a trademark and develop a Product Design Guidelines intended to support the design of products and services.
- Design a complex product that demonstrates a well balanced balance between understanding from Human Centered Design application of Product Design Guidelines and consideration to sustainable development.
- Relate to the advantages and the challenges with circular economy and in a creative way apply these in a system of products and services.
Course disposition
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
MF2038 Service Design or the equivalent.
Recommended prerequisites
Equipment
Literature
"Research Methods for Product Design", Alex Milton & Paul Rogers
"The Brand Gap", Marty Neumeier
Research articles
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
Examination
- INL1 - Hand in exercises, 2.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- INL2 - Hand-in assignment, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- PRO1 - Project, 4.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
- PRO2 - Project, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, 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.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
Examiner
Ethical approach
- 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.
Further information
Course web
Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.
Course web MF2112