Akershus University College (AUC) Faculty of Product Design Research programme 2010-2015 Product Design: Materiality, processes and the future environment Illustration: Documentation of PhD case studies. Arild Berg 2009.
Index About the programme...page 3 Social situation and political signals...page 4 Professional roots and profile...page 4 Internal professional resources...page 5 Goals...page 5 Research concept and methodological approach...page 6 Strategy...page 6 Check parameters...page 7 Focus areas...page 7
About the programme One of the basic characteristics of the design profession is the development and implementation of new knowledge and insights. The profession s goals and working methods have differed from those of academia, and research in the traditional sense has only a short history. At the Faculty of Product Design (FPD), professional development and documentation of work processes have a strong tradition, which has made it possible to make a rapid transition into research and to make a start on relevant projects. There is a strong potential for further development, but also methodological, organisational and resource-related challenges. The present programme has been drawn up on the basis of the views of faculty staff. FPD's first research programme ran from 2005-2009, and was a pioneer effort. In accordance with political signals it concentrated on the topic of innovation relating to sustainable development. The programme for 2010-2015 builds on this, and not least on the many useful conclusions which resulted from it. However, after more than five years the background conditions have changed considerably. This is true of social conditions generally, the organisation of the university and higher education sector, the goals and methods of research and developments within the design professions. There have also been changes in the faculty s professional staff. All this has made it necessary to implement a relatively wide-ranging revision of the programme. The innovation concept has been toned down in favour of creativity in a wider sense. Sustainable development is seen as a fundamental professional and ethical criterion, rather than a separate skills area. Greater emphasis has been laid on contextualisation and critical reflection and on a methodological approach which also respects the profession s own development traditions. Skills development in research methods has been designated a priority area. Akershus University College (AUC), Faculty of Product Design, February 2010. 3
Social situation and political signals The present time is characterised by rapid globalisation, entailing closer encounters between different cultures, and by an economy based on the production and consumption of experiences as much as of physical objects. We live in an age in which the aesthetics of everyday life plays a vital role. This makes design an increasing important professional service, which is active on more levels than it was before. The economic recession does not seem to have lessened this role; rather design seems to be regarded as a means for correcting its effects and for guiding development in the direction of greater predictability. This situation forms the social backdrop for the Faculty s R&D programme. The Norwegian Government, represented by both the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, sees design as an important instrument. The wording of the latest research statement implies the presence of design research within each of the five strategic targets, the focus of which is the strengthening of physical and emotional environments and research-based professional practice and business activities. One of AUC s biggest challenges is the impending amalgamation with Oslo University College (OUC). This could make Norway s first and biggest vocational and professional university a reality, providing that the volume and quality of research is satisfactory. It will give FPD the opportunity to develop its own specialist areas within a wider and more effective professional context. It opens up opportunities for extended cooperation with other universities and university colleges and for playing a more important regional role, thus giving design research greater breadth. Professional roots and profile The Faculty s skills area is marked by concerns relating to materials, processes and aesthetics seen in a global, cultural and consumer and markets-related perspective, as described in: Programme guide for 3-year Bachelor s degree in Product Design, 2007. Programme guide for 2-year Master s degree in Product Design, 2007. The professional tradition is characterised by the concrete, workshop-based testing of materials and processes relating to the development of products for a sustainable environment. Here sensory experience plays a basic role. Since adoption of the Master s programme of 2007, weight has also been given to conceptualisation, social contextualisation and commercial aspects. The Faculty s future profile will be marked by interaction between materiality and conceptualisation. There is a wealth of experience from cooperation with regional players in the form of specific projects which have ended in realisable solutions. Well established international and multi-cultural cooperation arrangements already exist. The coordination of theoretical/academic and practical approaches adapted to professional conditions is under development. A teaching-related perspective linked to practical orientation is strongly positioned. The systematic use of methods and documentation of work processes is a tradition which offers potential both in commercially directed and independent research.
Internal professional resources The Dean has responsibility for the Faculty s R&D at the general and administrative level. One of the professors with experience in research leadership has been designated as responsible R&D consultant. A R&D working party has also been established. Ownership of the professional core capital rests with the professional staff. Within the present year, the academic staff will be strengthened. Professorial competency already exists within: product design with a focus on emotional design and sustainable design; three-dimensional form and construction; technical design; design theory, design history and cultural understanding. These competencies are present at both professional and academic level. Senior competency is present in form and materials analysis, etc. The teaching competency level is also high. This gives the Faculty the capability to raise its professional level, develop top-level skills within the Faculty's specialist areas and to strengthen its professional profile. The need for new approaches and a cross-disciplinary perspective in design research makes the situation particularly challenging. Our own professional traditions combined with the existing willingness to combine these with academic traditions gives the Faculty a particular opportunity to take the lead in creating a more up-to-date and open R&D paradigm. Goals Developing knowledge, insight and skills within its specialist areas of product design for the benefit of social development and the good of the individual. Strengthening future professional practice as a trend-setting factor in social development. Ensuring that research is of an international level and able to hold its own in national and international discourse. Further developing the Faculty's professional profile by developing top-level skills in a multiand cross-disciplinary perspective. Promoting creativity, entrepreneurship and user participation. Being questioning and reflective and developing critical perspectives. Having a high ethical standard and contributing to sustainable development. Strengthening and coordinating the Faculty s professional skills. Akershus University College (AUC), Faculty of Product Design, February 2010. 5
Research concept and methodological approach The methodological approach must be adapted to the specific nature of the design profession, to the Faculty's profile and to the research concerns which need to be elucidated. This requires a broad concept of research, spanning both the various academic research methods and professional and artistic development work and giving them equal place in a R&D concept. Design as a subject and in professional practice has a cross-disciplinary character and research in it requires a high degree of multi- and cross-disciplinarity. Most research will be practice-based. For best results, coordination of academic research with practical and artistic development work must be aimed at. Critical perspective and reflection must constitute a central element. The main stress must be on applied research, both independent projects and client-initiated research. Basic research may be appropriate as part of a focus area or of larger projects. Research about, into and through sum up all appropriate methodological activities. Strategy Activities must build on the Faculty s results from the period 2005-2010. R&D efforts must be organised to give good use of resources, high quality and optimum professional coordination. They must be concentrated on the main focus area, to which all projects must be securely anchored. R&D work must form the basis for teaching. It must support the Faculty s Bachelor and Master s programmes and involve both junior researchers and students. Cooperation with other departments at AUC must be further developed and efforts made to achieve synergies from the merger with OUC, in addition to further development of cooperation with other sites of learning in Norway. Efforts must be made to have the Faculty s research externally financed to the greatest possible extent. Existing networks must be further developed and new ones established through joint research projects, seminars and publications. Facilities must be put in place for professional upgrading, appropriate organisation of R&D time and rewards for results, for instance through AUC s incentives for publishing. The professional level must be raised through junior researcher positions and by achieving the right to award Ph.D. degrees. Efforts must be made to promote increased understanding, both internally and externally, of the fundamental importance of design research for teaching and for society. The results of research and development work must be publicised nationally and internationally through media mention and on the institution s website.
Check parameters Publication in peer-reviewed books and journals which provide publication points Mention or project presentations in publications maintaining a high professional standard. Other peer-reviewed public demonstration and documentation, for example, decorations, exhibitions and ICT-based presentations. Presentation of papers and posters at seminars and conferences. Implementation of Ph.D. degree and other career paths. Prizes or other peer-reviewed awards. Participation in R&D networks. Focus areas All projects must be related to a single main focus: Product Design: Materiality, processes and the future environment. This sums up the Faculty s profile and the professional staff's skills areas, while showing that R&D work must be carried on in dialogue with wider society. The following topics are relevant: Materials, concepts and environment. Methodology. User, designer and client perspectives. Aesthetic practice and cultural diversity. Within all these topics, social, commercial and emotional factors and not least these factors mutual relationship, could be the subject of investigation. Topics could also touch on or interact with each other. Projects will produce results on the practical and methodological but also on the theoretical and pedagogical level, and result in artefacts, products and methods as well as pure analyses. The R&D commitment of faculty staff will focus on process and method, artistic development work and aesthetics. Several planned projects have been organised as cooperative ventures within the Faculty or externally, while some are in the form of specific assignments from clients. They relate to the topics of sustainability, aesthetic practice, health and design and a laboratory of the future. In other words, specific research projects could relate to: Systems and product development promoting sustainable products. The relation between sensory experience and concept development in the design process. Aesthetic practice as a factor in creating communication and meaning. Design as a focus area in a health professions context. Akershus University College (AUC), Faculty of Product Design, February 2010. 7
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