Design in Engineering
This course follows the structure of Sähköpaja-A4010 (Electronics Workshop) course quite closely. We shall utilise the same weekly exercises and learn much of the same technical skills as in the Sähköpaja course.
Learning outcome:
After the course the students will be able to build interactive prototypes featuring a microcontroller and to conduct user tests with the prototypes. They also know how to communicate their ideas effectively and argue for the usefulness of their design idea. Most importantly, students will train on their skills to reflectively negotiate and verify design ideas.
The course is organised through four main activities:
- Lectures
- Weekly exercises / tutoring sessions
- Project work
- Reflexive learning diary
Lectures (Tue mornings)
Lectures are organised every Tuesday morning (10:15-12:00), except during exam weeks. Lectures will elaborate tools and principles for prototype building as well as theoretical insights into design process and user testing.
Exercises / Tutoring (Tue afternoons + Thursdays - tentatively)
The students will be grouped into teams of 3-4, and they will gain face-to-face support for project work during the tutoring sessions.
Project Work
Student teams will conduct a project, where they develop a 'useful design' that they demonstrate with a functioning interactive prototype.
Reflexive Learning Diary
Students will learn to actively keep a reflexive learning diary through the course.
Course Book
Donald A. Norman, (2013) "The Design of Everyday Things", MIT Press, Revised and Expanded Edition