Introduction

Human Technology Design can be seen as a course choice that takes a practical design related approach and where the user’s interaction with products is a primary focus. The curriculum also attaches great importance to the future professional profile of the student with a view towards establishing oneself as an independent professional. The course will develop the student’s creative-problem solving, design project management and entrepreneurial skills within a realistic context. A major requirement for the independent professional is the possession of the necessary skills to achieve a continued development in their chosen area after completion of their education this topic will be addressed specifically as part of theme 3.

The course also provides the opportunity to commit additional material to your portfolio of work which will help the student in conjunction with employment applications.

Target Group and Admission Requirements

Entry requirements

This one year course taught in English is offered at third year bachelor degree level as an alternative choice for students studying:

- Visuel kunstfag og design

- 3rd or 4th year of Human Technology Engineer studies.

- and as an additional and independent course for those that have either a minimum of one year of design, art and design studies or relevant work experience.

Aim of the Programme

Course aims.

The course aims at developing:

- the ability to capture ideas and visualise solutions

- contextual awareness of visualisation principles in practice

- a more complete understanding of the interaction between people and products

- skill at determining and improving the quality of human interfaces

- business skills and increasing opportunity awareness

- business communication skills for multi cultural situations

- a deeper understanding of the elements of a design process

- the ability to work sequentially and independently on a project from an initial brief to a well-finished design prototype

Curriculum and structure

Course structure

This one year course is divided into 4 themes.

Theme 1 - Visualisation and presentation techniques 10 ec

1.1 Design drawing

1.3 Model making techniques and materials

1.2 3D modelling

1.4 Product analysis 1 (visual)

Theme 2 – Product design project - Design for all15 ec

2.1 Design method

2.2 Product analysis 2 (functional)

2.3 Mechanical technology

2.4 Human factors / ergonomics

2.5 Computer technology integration in products

Theme 3 –Human Technology Design in business 15 ec

3.1 Project – elective theme

3.2 Trend and market analysis

3.3 Human Technology Designer as an independent professional

3.4 Business Communication

Theme 4 – Final project 20 ec

4.1 Industry related elective theme

Theme 1 - Visualisation and Presentation Techniques 10 ec

Theme 1 will build upon and develop the students existing skills in design drawing, model making and 3D modelling to ensure a solid basis which enables the student to choose from a wider variety of visualisation and presentation techniques and increase contextual awareness. Ability to capture ideas and visualise solutions is a central skill for the Human Technology Designer. Product analysis 1 will focus on the visual aspects of products within their area of use.

Theme 2 – Product Design Project - Design for All15 ec

Theme 2 builds upon theme 1 and gives the opportunity to work on design problems within a “Design for All” context. Design for All is a way of approaching design in general and an element of business strategy that seeks to ensure that mainstream products, services and environments are accessible to the largest number of people. Product analysis 2 focuses on the functional aspects of product design and gives the opportunity to work with and judge the quality of human interfaces.

Theme 3 – Human Technology Design in business 15 ec

The theme 3 elective project places the practical design work in a business context, with a view to enhancing your business skills and increasing opportunity awareness. Developing business communication skills in multi cultural situations are an important part of being an independent professional.

Each theme carries the possibility for the student to further develop their portfolio.

Theme 4 – Final project 20 ec

Preparatory work on theme 4 will start with a short introductory period after theme 2 and continue after theme 3. Approval of the brief description must be granted by the end of theme 3.

The teaching staff will act as supervisors and it is the student’s responsibility to attend supervisory sessions on a regular basis. Your final submission should represent between 10 and 12 weeks work.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Learning and Teaching

The course will be organised in blocks of lectures and demonstrations followed by practical workshop activities. Teaching and tasks in themes 1, 2, and 3 will include practical work and relevant theory. After discussions between teaching staff and students it may be possible to complete theme tasks as a group.

It is the student’s personal responsibility for their own learning and it is expected that they orientate themselves in the course literature. Approval and acceptance of task answers is dependent upon contact with the teaching staff during work on each theme. It is important also for the students development to take the opportunity discuss many aspects of theme work.

The course work will demand a work level of minimum 37.5 hours per week. Approximately 50% will be with teaching staff present.

Course students choose a group of 2-3 representatives to act as a contact between themselves and the teaching team. Where necessary student representatives can participate in team meetings to discuss and plan course activities.

Assessment Methods

Assessment

Course aims, learning and teaching methods, activities and content should combine in a coherent whole. Assessment is an integrated part of learning for the student and directed at achieving a greater awareness and understanding of ones own abilities in relation to further studies and future employment opportunities. Experience of a variety of assessment forms is part of the final competency level.

Students and the teaching team should both take part in the assessment of the course with a view to further development of content, structure, methods and of the students own level of participation.

Each theme will be assessed separately and sequentially during the course. Assessment can take the form of exhibitions, visual and verbal presentations and written work. The choice of assessment form is specified at the beginning of each theme, students and teaching staff should actively take part in this process.

The following requirements are necessary before the student can present course work for final assessment.

Theme 1, 2 and 3 prepare and qualify the student for work on their final project. The student must answer each task set in theme 1, 2, and 3, seek and receive approval for the theme 4 brief description before being allowed to continue with their final project. Answers to tasks not submitted to the teaching team during supervisory sessions can be rejected. It is the student’s personal responsibility to present completed tasks at the time agreed for each theme and a minimum of 80% participation in obligatory course activities.

Final Assessment

Final assessment is expressed as the sum of grades given in themes 1 – 4

Theme	ec	%
Visualisation and Presentation Techniques	10	10
Product Design Project	15	25
Human Technology in Business	15	25
Final Project	20	40

The four grades from themes 1- 4 are weighted as above and are given as one final grade. The grade scale is from A to F where A is the highest and E is the lowest pass grade.

Further information can be found in The university College of Telemark assessment regulations.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean