Course syllabus

PPU181 Design for experience lp3 VT20 (7.5 hp).

Course is offered by the department of Industrial and Materials Science.

Contact details

Course examiner:

MariAnne Karlsson, mak@chalmers.se , +46 (0)31 772 11 08

Visiting address: Division Design and Human Factors, Hörsalsvägen 5, 4thfloor

Teaching team:

Siw Eriksson, Lic.Eng.,  esiw@chalmers.se 

Antonio Cobaleda, Lic.Eng., cobaleda@chalmers.se 

Bijan Aryana, Ph.D., bijan@chalmers.se 

Course purpose

The purpose of the course is that you should develop further insight into the area “Design for Experience”. The overall objectives are that you develop a basic knowledge of:

• What constitute experiential relations between consumers/users and artefacts;
• A subset of existing and relevant frameworks, models and theories;
• A subset of methods and tools for identifying users’ needs and requirements related to use(r) experiences, for ideating, and for evaluating design solutions from a use(r)experience perspective;
• How to apply the frameworks/models/theories as well as the methods and tools in a design process.

Schedule

TimeEdit

*) Compulsory attendance applies to all seminars, workshops, Open Studios, and guest lectures.

Attendance will be registered.

Learning goals

Having successfully completed the course, you should be able to:

• Describe the main characteristics of defined frameworks, models and theories with significance for the experiential relation between consumers/users and products;
• Use the frameworks/models/theories to explain empirical data;
• Explain temporal aspects of user experience;
• Apply the framework/models/theories to product design;
• Define and use terms correctly, for example define and differentiate between key concepts such as:  product experience, user experience (UX), affect, emotion, feeling, and pleasure; meaning; sensory congruence and incongruence; etc.
• Explain the difference between experiencing products, experience through products and experience with products;
• Explain the role of the human senses in users’ experiences of products;
• Explain the role of meaning in users’ experience(s) of, with and through products;
• Differentiate between intended and perceived expression (or meaning) of a product’s design;
• Explain, argue and apply a defined set of methods and tools for identifying users' needs and requirements in relation to experiential aspects;
• Explain, argue and apply a defined set of methods and tools for evaluating design solutions from an experience perspective.

Course content

In relation to the following main themes –Understanding (UX), Designing (for UX) and Evaluating (UX)-the topics covered more in depth include:

• Theoretical basis/Theoretical frameworks. The course will present some of the most common different frameworks/ models/ theories with relevance for the area Design for Experience and User Experience (UX). What factors affect UX over time will also be covered.
• Methods and tools. Different methods and tools for eliciting consumers’ needs and requirements for experiences, and for evaluating ideas, concepts and product designs will be presented, discussed and assessed.
• Sensory experience. The course will discuss the role of human senses in perceived product quality, and the difference between, e.g. instrumental and autotelic information will be clarified. The relation and the difference between a product’s “objective” (technical) properties and the “subjective” perception and assessment of these properties will also be addressed.
• Experience of meaning and meaningfulness. The meaning of products, different interpretations of the concept “meaning” and how it may affect a user’s experience of a product will be addressed.The difference between product meaning and meaningfulness will be presented and discussed.
• Emotional experiences. The role of emotions and emotional responses to products and the use of will be covered.

Organisation

The course will be organised as a series of lectures, workshops, Open Studios, literature seminars and one project assignment divided into sub-tasks. The sub-tasks relate to the different themes in the course.

Examination

Examination will be based on (i) participation in all literature seminars, (ii) participation in workshops and the Open Studios, (iii) completion of the project assignment (with sub-tasks) and (iv) results of written exams. Note! All seminars, workshops, and guest lectures are compulsory.

Course literature

Jordan P. (2000): Designing pleasurable products. An introduction to the new human factors. Taylor & Francis. UK. Also available as e-book.Norman D. (2004): Emotional design. Why we love (or hate) everyday things. Basic Books, NY. Selected scientific journal papers available on the Canvas.

Modifications compared to the course in 2019

The following modifications have been made compared to 2019:

• Literature seminars have been introduced with the purpose to encourage a more in-depth reading of the literature and a further possibility to discuss and reflect on its contents.
• The project assignment has changed from having a product focus to having a situation focus. In addition, so called “Open studios” have been introduced and replace the times earlier set aside for supervision/consultation.