Explorations of Form and Material 12 credits

About the course

The course consists of four modules:

Visual Communication, 3 credits

The module begins with a historical overview of visualization and then provides students with the opportunity to work with various materials to explore basic visualization techniques. The focus is on using visualization as a creative and investigative tool to reflect on, develop, and communicate concepts and ideas. Students gain basic knowledge of proportions, perspective, light and shadow, grayscale, and color. They apply this by creating simple conceptual presentation sketches.

Learning Goals: ELO 1, ELO 5

Theme Week: Future Technologies, 1.5 credits

The module focuses on exploring various future technologies and contexts relevant to the design field. The module constitutes a theme that spans across the years of the bachelor's program.

Learning Goals: ELO 9

Form Studies, 4.5 credits

In this module, students conduct a group analysis of form with a focus on experience and impact. The analysis includes semiotics, form, color and material, where the object is examined in relation to its context and recipient. The aim is to use norm critical perspective to investigate how the object is perceived and what messages it conveys. Based on the analysis, students develop form proposals. Individually, each student works from a self-formulated goal to carry out a creative, iterative, and investigative artistic process - from early idea to final form proposal. During the process, form and design challenges are discussed and addressed with the support of guidance.

Learning Goals: ELO 4, ELO 7, ELO 8, ELO 10

Basic Design, 3 credits

The module aims to provide a fundamental understanding of form as a concept and the processes used to explore and shape three-dimensional forms in various materials. The module introduces basic processing methods and their safety regulations. Students are trained to communicate form-related concepts both orally and in writing.

During the module, central concepts in product semiotics are introduced, and students practice analyzing and reflecting on how three-dimensional form affects experience and interpretation. Additionally, color is introduced as a concept and means for exploration in design.

Learning Goals: ELO 2, ELO 3, ELO 6

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This course is part of a programme

This course contains occasions that are included in a degree programme at Umeå university and applies only to those of you who are admitted to the programme. You will receive information about application times and what applies to you from your institution.

Read about choosing courses within programmes

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Autumn 2026
- Explorations of Form and Material
  
  Offered as a part of a Degree programme
  
  HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Application opens 16 March 2026
  
  Save education at universityadmissions.se
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  2 November 2026
  
  Ends
  17 January 2027
  
  Number of credits
  12 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-52012
  
  Eligibility
  
  General entry requirements for admission to the Bachelor's programme in Industrial Design and English 6/level 2
  
  Selection
  
  Is only given for students at programme DGIND, Guaranteed place
  
  Application
  The online application opens 16 March 2026 at 09:00 CET. Application deadline is 15 April 2026.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 0
  
  Total fee: SEK 0
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

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