Becoming A Designer: Practice, 15 credits

Contents

In this course, the student is expected to gain experience-based knowledge and competencies, and to study how subject knowledge and skills are applied in a professional workplace. Based on the tasks within a specific context, the student should develop an understanding of different perspectives on the role of a designer within a team and how various design disciplines are utilized.

During the previous semester, the student has prepared for the course by independently initiating and managing contact with design-related companies in Sweden or abroad for their practical studies. The choice of internship placement must be approved by the programme coordinator prior to the start of the course. The internship placement must appoint a contact person with professional experience in design, who will act as a supervisor during the internship period. The studies are carried out individually in consultation with the supervisor.

During the course, the student is expected to gain practical experience by participating in the daily work involving design-related tasks. The student is expected to apply their acquired knowledge in different situations, confirm and/or critically evaluate previously acquired knowledge, and explore how this knowledge can be applied in a workplace with a focus on industrial design. The student should take an active role in the work process to further develop their knowledge and understanding of the professional role.

During the course, the student group will engage in discussions based on a problem-based learning (PBL) task related to professional situations.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

(ELO 1) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of design practice in a real-world context and, through collaboration with others, gain insight into the designer’s professional role and methods.

Competence and Skills:

(ELO 2) Demonstrate the ability to co-create in dialogue with others in a real-world work situation.

(ELO 3) Apply relevant design methods and carry out assigned tasks independently and responsibly.

Judgement and Approach:

(ELO 4) Reflect on one’s role as a designer in relation to other competencies within a working group.

(ELO 5) Describe and relate how subject-specific knowledge and different professional competencies are applied in practice.

(ELO 6) Critically examine and formulate an approach to the professional role of the designer in relation to sustainable development as well as societal and ethical aspects.

Required Knowledge

In addition to general eligibility, admission to the course requires that the student has passed courses amounting to at least 75 credits within the Bachelor’s Programme in Industrial Design (DGIND) at Umeå Institute of Design, or the equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6.

Form of instruction

During the internship period, students are required to participate in mandatory check-in meetings where the student group shares their experiences and exchanges insights from their internships. The purpose is to provide the group with broader perspectives on working with design-related tasks, and to encourage mutual support through knowledge exchange.

During these check-in meetings, the teacher assigns a PBL task related to a real-world, design-related professional situation. Based on this, the group is expected to discuss, analyze, and propose approaches to solving the problems using their acquired knowledge.

Examination modes

After completing the internship period, the student must submit their portfolio they applied with,, an internship agreement, and an internship certificate.

Assessment is conducted formatively through group discussions, a seminar based on the PBL assignment, and a concluding discussion with feedback.

To pass the course, all course component must be completed with a passing grade. Grades are given for each module and for the course as a whole according to the scale Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Adapted assesment

For students who have received a decision on recommended support due to a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the form of assessment stated in the course syllabus. Any individual adaptation of the form of assessment shall be considered based on the student’s needs and the course’s expected learning outcomes. For more information, see the Procedure for Support for Students with Disabilities and the Rules for Grades and Examination.

Transfer of credits

A student can receive credit for all or parts of this course if they can present a certificate showing that they have completed and passed an equivalent course. Furthermore, approval by the course responsible teacher is required, based on an assessment of the student’s knowledge level and experience in the subject area concerned. For further information, refer to the Procedure for Credit Transfer on Umeå University's website, www.student.umu.se.